UNLESS something totally unforeseen happens, on or before June 28, the Chicago Blackhawks will step up to the podium and officially announce the name of Connor Bedard as the No. 1 overall selection of the 2023 National Hockey League Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Among the Chicago contingent that will be on hand, in what is sure to an action-packed two days in Tennessee, will be Thunder Bay product Norm Maciver, the Blackhawks’ associate general manager.
A veteran of 501 NHL games as a defenceman with seven clubs over a dozen campaigns, then later being part of a trio of Stanley Cup winning sides as part of the Hawks’ front office, Maciver has plenty of experience to offer.
When queried as to what he sees in the highly-touted Bedard, Chicago’s AGM offered: “Obviously he’s a very talented player. He has great stick skills, a great shot, but he is also a very unselfish player.”
The commitment level of the Regina Pats standout is also something that caught the attention of the Blackhawks brass.
“From everyone we have talked to, Bedard has a great work ethic as well.”
While Bedard at No. 1 is an all but foregone conclusion, the Hawks currently have 11 other potential picks on their draft plate at the present time, including and additional five more in the first two rounds of the event, that concludes June 29.
Completing their due diligence heading into the Nashville and trying to be prepared for all situations that may arise leading into and during the two-day NHL Draft, the organization’s management team will look to improve the Blackhawks’ fortunes.
“The one thing about the draft is that it can be very unpredictable,” said Maciver. “You never know when another team might call with an idea, or throw a proposal your way, concerning draft picks or players, so you have to be prepared for all different kinds of scenarios.”
Presently front-loaded with six selections among the initial 64 slots on the board, he says general manager Kyle Davidson, and the staff, aim to be ready for whatever may arise.
“Obviously we go into this draft with a lot of picks in the first two rounds, so we will just try to prepare for a number of potential scenarios that could come our way.”
Shortly after the draft concludes, NHL clubs will begin hosting development camps for their prospects, with their team being no exception.
One thing unique for the Blackhawks edition of preparing picks and prospects though is their get together will be strictly off-ice, with no skating sessions being involved.
There were several decisions that went into this decision to have their upcoming prospects camp being strictly off-ice.
On that, Maciver provided: “One of the reasons to make the change was to give the kids a break from always being on the ice. What we have found in the past, was these young players were training hard to get ready for these skates in July, and then being so tired at the end of the week that they had to take time off from their training to rest and recover when they went back home.”
This is all part of the development process for all their potential future NHLers.
“The goal of the summer for these young guys should be to become stronger and faster and we feel having three or four consistent months of off-ice training is better than preparing for a mini training camp in early July.”
Maciver went on to add: “By doing only off-ice workouts and sessions, we will give them a summer workout equivalent to what an NHL player might be doing. Plus, it also gives our strength coaches better knowledge of areas that each individual needs to improve upon and a plan to bolster the areas they would need to work on.”
Next week, Part II with Norm Maciver, discussing his time in the NHL.