Blackhawks take big step to show feelings about Chase Reid as NHL Draft prospect

Blackhawks take big step to show feelings about Chase Reid as NHL Draft prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Chicago Blackhawks are at that stage of their rebuild where they want to start moving back toward contention.

>That could certainly be helped by getting things exactly right at the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft later this month.

>There are a bunch of quality prospects near the top of most draft boards, including multiple strong wingers and a glut of good defensemen.

>One of those defensemen, Chase Reid, seems to have really piqued the Blackhawks' interest.

>Reid spoke with reporters at the NHL Combine, and he told them that Chicago hadn't just interacted with him at the Combine in Buffalo.

>The Blackhawks had actually sent a contingent up to meet Reid in Detroit and have dinner with him there:

Chase Reid said the Blackhawks came to visit him at home in suburban Detroit and took him out to dinner. That’s interesting.

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) June 6, 2026MORE: Canucks make Gavin McKenna decision that Maple Leafs, Sharks don't make

>Reid is 18 years old and has moved from the USHL to the NAHL to the OHL.

>He spent the past two seasons playing in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds. This season, the 6-foot-3 Michigan native had 48 points in 45 games (18 goals and 30 assists).

>Reid also suited up for the U.S. under-20 team at the World Junior U-20 Championships. In five games there, he notched two goals and two assists.

>The potential blue line star has been committed for nearly two years to play college hockey at Michigan State, so he wouldn't have to come to the NHL right away if the team that drafted him felt he could use some development at the NCAA level first.

>Down the road, though, he's got great potential as a top-end defenseman, and the Blackhawks certainly are interested.

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