DRAFT: Experts Weigh in on Blackhawks Picks in Second, Third Round

The Chicago Blackhawks finished the 2023 NHL Draft on Thursday afternoon with all 11 selections made.

See what the draft experts have to say about the selections made in the second and third round:

Adam Gajan, 35th Overall

He drew praise from 2022 first-round draft picks Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and Filip Mesar (Montreal Canadiens) after both games, with both pointing to his being a big reason Slovakia] won. Mesar always news his lifelong friend and fellow Poprad native had the ability, he just needed someone to give him a chance." -- ***[Chris Peters, FLO Hockey*

"He has legit high-end athleticism and made a high number of difficult saves without giving up an easy goal. Watching him today as Slovakia came that close to a major upset reminded me of how Yaroslav Askarov looked against USA's loaded U18 team. The second-year draft eligible has the NHL world buzzing after this tournament." -- Corey Pronman, The Athletic

"He's a big body (6-foot-4) who's pretty athletic and plays a butterfly style. He will be tested moving side to side and squaring up appropriately against a Canadian team that moves the puck quickly in the offensive zone. Gajan plays for Green Bay in the USHL and is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) beginning next season. He's posted great numbers at the WJC." -- Jason Bukala, Sportsnet

Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago

Roman Kantserov, 44th Overall

"Kantserov is undersized at 5-foot-9, but has a lot of other traits that make you think he will score as a pro. Most important is the way he skates and plays with pace. Kantserov can generate a lot of controlled entries and make plays in transition. Kantserov has very good puck skills, showing great small-area skill and the ability to improvise with the puck. He can move the puck well while also being a shot threat from the circles." -- Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago

Martin Misiak, 55th Overall

"Based on his performance in a limited sample size this past year, demonstrating how committed he was to helping his team as fast as possible and making it look easy, Ward does not doubt that Misiak has a path to the NHL." -- Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago

"Misiak is an NHL-caliber athlete. He's 6-foot-2 and he skates well. His stride is powerful and efficient. He showed he could consistently push the pace versus men. The issue is how much does he offer outside his skating? I see some skill and offense but I don't think his puck game and playmaking stand out. He's just OK off the puck as well with some physicality but he's not a great two-way forward. There's a lot to work with, he should play games, but what he becomes as a pro is uncertain." -- Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago

Nick Lardis, 67th Overall

"One of the biggest risers in the second half of the season. Lardis was excellent in Hamilton (OHL) after arriving in a trade with the Peterborough Petes. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound forward scored 25 goals and 21 assists for the Bulldogs. He's an effortless skater who leans goal scorer more than distributor." -- Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago

"He saw a jump in production and a rise in the rankings after being acquired by Hamilton in a trade with Peterborough; he had 46 points (25 goals, 21 assists) in 33 games with Hamilton after getting 19 points (12 goals, seven assists) in 36 games with Peterborough. Lardis (5-10 ,165) is a dynamic skater with a lightning-quick shot release." - Video: Gajan on being selected by Chicago