Today’s News Clips May 24, 2018

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Getting to know four newly-signed Blackhawks

Charlie Roumeliotis May 23, 2018

The Blackhawks announced Monday that they have officially agreed to terms with forward Dominik Kahun, defensemen Lucas Carlsson and Darren Raddysh and Kevin Lankinen on entry-level contracts.

Kahun ($925,000 cap hit), Lankinen ($925,000) and Raddysh ($730,000) each signed two-year deals that run through the 2019-20 season while Carlsson's is a three-year deal that runs through the 2020-21 campaign and carries a cap hit of $792,500.

So who are these guys? Let's meet them:

Carlsson

Drafted in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) by the Blackhawks in 2016, Carlsson set a career-high with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 44 games this season with Brynäs IF of the . He was tied for fourth among all blue liners with seven goals.

Carlsson, 20, doesn't have major upside, but he's a reliable, well-rounded defenseman and that's what drew the attention of Blackhawks vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley.

“When he’s on the ice, he makes things happen," Kelley told Scott Powers of The Athletic last summer. "I think what impressed the Sweden under-20 coach was Lucas’ ability to challenge in all three zones. He’s an active defensively. Offensively, he challenges. He keeps plays alive.”

Kahun

The 22-year-old forward spent the last four seasons with EHC München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Germany's top professional hockey league, where he established career highs in assists (29), points (41) and tied a personal best with 12 goals, leading Munchen to their third straight championship in 2018 after recording four goals and 10 assists in 17 playoff contests.

He raised eyebrows at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, where he compiled five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games and won 55.4 percent of his faceoffs (41 of 74), helping Germany capture a silver medal.

“He has made an enormous step this year, has become much more stable and mature," German national team coach Marco Sturm said after the Olympics. "I am sure that he would grab it in the NHL,” Sturm told the Hamburger Morgenpost.

Most recently, Kahun had a and two assists in seven games for Germany during the IIHF Men's World Championship. He's 5-foot-11, 176 pounds whose known to be a solid two-way player and can play center but may need some time to adjust to the smaller ice surface and NHL style of speed and physicality.

Lankinen

Lankinen is 23 years old and coming off a season in which he was in the discussion for the Urpo Ylönen trophy, annually awarded to the top goaltender of the Finnish Elite League, after registering a league-best 1.33 goals against average and .946 save percentage in 15 games with HIFK.

He missed a large portion of the season because of an injury, but it didn't stop him from turning in a strong postseason, guiding his team to a bronze medal after posting a 1.99 GAA and .936 save percentage in 13 playoff games. The year before that, he led the league with seven shutouts in 42 games, backstopping his team to a silver medal.

This is a low-risk, medium-sized reward signing for the Blackhawks, who could use some more young goaltending depth in the pipeline, especially given how this season unfolded with the big club.

Raddysh

The Blackhawks signed Raddysh to a one-year AHL contract last June, and he turned it into an NHL one after a strong season with the Rockford IceHogs.

Raddysh, 22, accumulated 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 66 regular-season games with the IceHogs, and has appeared in each of the team's playoff games en route to the Western Conference Final.

Last season Raddysh was named the OHL's top defenseman after scoring 16 goals and 65 assists for 81 points in 62 games for the , where he was teammates with current Blackhawks winger Alex DeBrincat. He's the Otters' all-time leader in assists (143) and points (184) among defensemen.

Raddysh might be nothing more than a depth defenseman, but his development is worth monitoring because the offensive production is there and that's something the Blackhawks lacked this past season from their back end. chicagoblackhawks.com

BLOG: Oesterle to attend Blackhawks Convention

Nick Merlina May 23, 2018

Jordan Oesterle announced this morning that he will be attending the Blackhawks Convention this summer.

Oesterle joins a host of Blackhawks who have already confirmed their attendance including Duncan Keith, Alex DeBrincat, Connor Murphy, Nick Schmaltz and Artem Anisimov.

The three-day-event takes place from July 27-29 and will include numerous autograph and photo sessions, Q&A panels, exhibits, interactive games and much more. Find out all the necessary information here.

Oesterle appeared in 55 games this past season for Chicago and registered 15 points (5G, 10A). chicagoblackhawks.com

DRAFT: Previewing the top centers

Chris Wescott May 23, 2018

We've previewed the top defensemen and wingers, so now it's time to take a look up the middle with the best centers in the upcoming 2018 NHL Draft. Get to know the draft eligible prospects with our chicagoblackhawks.com position previews, using scout rankings, mock drafts and information gathered from draft prognosticators.

BARRETT HAYTON, SAULT STE. MARIE (OHL) Barrett Hayton is a reliable two-way player who showed significant growth in his offensive production in his second season with Sault Ste. Marie. In year two with the Greyhounds, Hayton doubled his point production and scored 21 goals as opposed to his rookie total of nine.

He also helped Canada secure a Hlinka Memorial Tournament gold medal, scoring three goals and adding three assists in five games.

While his offensive game is developing and there's skill there, Hayton's main strengths appear to be his play without the puck. He is applauded for his defensive skills, reliability and work ethic, as well as his hockey IQ.

A scout, per The Hockey News: "Well, there aren't too many centers in this draft better than this guy. He's an honest, hardworking guy who plays a 200-foot game and chips in offensively."

Rankings:

CSS: 9th among North American Skaters ISS: 12th Red Line Report: 16th

JESPERI KOTKANIEMI, ASSAT (FINLAND) Jesperi Kotkaniemi finished third on his team in scoring this past season, tallying 29 points (10G, 19A) in 57 games.

The Pori, Finland native has a good frame at 6'2''and 190 pounds, and the consensus is that he has a lot of skill and potential to go with it.

Kotkaniemi earned a gold medal for Finland at U18 World Juniors, and was named a top three player for his team, recording nine points (3G, 6A) in seven games. He also won silver the year before in the same tournament.

He played some wing for his team, but he projects as a center. The Athletic's Corey Pronman: "He has very good hands that are high-end, if not flashing elite. He can make very skilled plays off an entry, but what impresses me is how well he can control the puck and keep plays alive. With his frame and skill, it's very hard to strip him of possession."

Rankings:

CSS: 6th among European Skaters ISS: 16th Red Line Report: 27th

ISAC LUNDESTROM, LULEA (SWEDEN) With Team Sweden, Isac Lundestrom earned a silver medal in the 2018 World Juniors. As The Hockey News pointed out, Sweden was stacked in that tournament with high-end forward talent, but Lundestrom centered perhaps the most consistent line.

The center played the entire 2017-18 season with Lulea of the SHL, where he scored six goals and added nine assists in 42 games.

The ability to make smart plays at a high speed and his responsible defensive play make Lundestrom a smart pick for teams looking for the safe bet.

A scout, per The Hockey News: "I'm a big fan. He already plays a developed and polished game: two-way player, diligent in coming back, reliable in the faceoff circle. He's almost as safe a pick as there is."

Rankings:

CSS: 8th among European Skaters ISS: 20th Red Line Report: 35th

AKIL THOMAS, NIAGARA (OHL) Niagara IceDogs center Akil Thomas has put up impressive numbers in the OHL. This past season, he scored 22 goals and recorded 59 assists for 81 points in 68 games. That put him 14th in league scoring.

The right-shot pivot is considered a well-rounded prospect who is usually in the right places on the ice to make plays. Particularly dangerous on the power play, Thomas racked up six goals and 26 assists on the man advantage.

He was on Canada's recent Ivan Hlinka gold medal team. Both his father and uncle had careers in the minor leagues.

International Scouting Services: "Good skating center, plays all situations and point on the power play, slick puck skill and great vision."

Rankings: CSS: 15th among North American Skaters ISS: 27th Red Line Report: 20th

JOE VELENO, DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL) Likely to be among the first of his position off the board, Joe Veleno was the first player to be given exceptional status to play in the QMJHL as a 15 year-old.

The hard-working player split time this season between Saint John, where he wore the captain's "C," and Drummondville. He totaled 79 points (22G, 57A) in 64 games.

Zone entries and playmaking are Veleno's top skills.

A scout, per The Hockey News: "He still needs to shoot the puck more, but that's not him - he's a playmaker. He works his butt off every game."

Rankings:

CSS: 8th among North American Skaters ISS: 10th Red Line Report: 32nd

The 2018 NHL Draft will be held June 22-23 in Dallas. The currently hold the 8th and 27th picks in the first round, and eight picks overall. Stay tuned to chicagoblackhawks.com for ongoing coverage leading up to the draft, including content from the NHL Scouting Combine.