It's tough to gauge which prospects will rise and which will fall on draft night, but with that said, let's take a look at 10 names that might be available later in the first round - possibly at 27.

This year's draft presents an exciting opportunity lower down in the first round. With so much variance in opinion on prospects outside the top 10, the Blackhawks are likely to have a player sitting on the board at 27 who they believe should have been gone earlier in the evening.

Draft experts and prognosticators agree that the Blackhawks will get a high-end player with the eighth pick, but what type of prospect will be available at 27?

Even more rare is the fact that the club is in possession of two first round picks.

For good reason, there has been a lot of focus on the eighth overall pick for the Chicago Blackhawks. It's the highest selection the team has held since 2007, making a top-10 spot a rarity for the franchise, rather than the norm.

DOMINIK BOKK (RW, VAXJO JR - SWEDEN JR)

The Blackhawks already signed a German player named Dominik this offseason. The aforementioned Dominik Kahun joined the organization nearly a month ago on a two-year deal.

Bokk, a draft eligible right winger from Schweinfurt, has a bigger frame than his countryman but similarly quick hands. He's considered by some to be one of the more skilled players in the draft.

Bokk is NHL Central Scouting's 12th ranked European Skater and is coming off a 41-point 2017-18 campaign for Vaxjo Jr. in the Swedish Junior league. He also skated 15 games in the top-tier Swedish men's league.

International Scouting Services (ISS Hockey) has Bokk ranked 28th overall in their Top 31 list. The Hockey News also listed Bokk as their 28th overall prospect, calling him a "high-skilled player and a fast skater" whose best case NHL comparison would be Teuvo Teravainen.



TY DELLANDREA (C, FLINT - OHL)

Dellandrea is another player who may fall in the range of the Blackhawks. Some have him ranked higher than others, with Red Line Report listing him as 14th overall and The Hockey News listing him 16th, but Central Scouting having him as their 25th best North American Skater.

Dellandrea led a Flint Firebirds team in goals with 25 this past season, showing vast improvement over his rookie campaign. Dellandrea more than doubled his previous point totals from his rookie year.

He earned respect from scouts by being the go-to guy and top performer on a not-so competitive Flint squad. As for a Blackhawks connection, Dellandrea says he models his game after Jonathan Toews.



MARTIN KAUT (RW, PARDUBICE - CZECH)

Kaut is another player with varying opinions of him ahead of draft night.

ISS Hockey has him 13th overall on their list, while Red Line has him 28th. Anything can happen on Friday night, making it possible Kaut will be available at 27 for the Blackhawks. Following a strong World Juniors, where he registered two goals and five assists in seven games, Kaut saw his stock rise.

Central Scouting's fourth ranked European Skater has a blend of passing and shooting skills that make him a weapon on the power play, and The Hockey News says his best case comparison is Golden Knights winger and 20-plus NHL goal scorer Reilly Smith.

RASMUS KUPARI (C, KARPAT - FINLAND)

Finnish forward Rasmus Kupari has been described as a mix between Jesse Puljujarvi (Edmonton) and Sebastian Aho (Carolina) by Karpat Head Coach Mikko Manner.

His Ivan Hlinka numbers were eye-popping, with the center tallying seven points (2G, 5A) in four tournament games. His performance there helped raise his profile and he's now ranked among other mid-to-late first round talents.

In an era where speed is at a premium in the NHL, Kupari has that too. He's "another blazer whose speed intimidates d-men," said Red Line Report.

Red Line lists him at 16th overall, while ISS Hockey has him at 15 and Central Scouting tabbed him as their 11th best European Skater. He's expected to be taken outside the top 15 in the opening round.

RYAN MERKLEY (D, GUELPH - OHL)

While Central Scouting has Ryan Merkley listed outside of their top 31 (45th among North American Skaters), it's entirely possible the defenseman goes before the end of the first.

The Guelph Storm blueliner ranked third among OHL defensemen in 2017-18 scoring with 67 points (13G, 54A) in 63 games. This was a year removed from a season in which Merkley won the Emms Family Award as the league's Rookie of the Year.

Even with the big numbers, Merkley is a polarizing prospect who is described as a high risk/reward selection. The offensive side of his game is elite, while the defensive side needs work per draft analysts.

The young, right-shot d-man says he models his game after Penguins defender Kris Letang and Ottawa's Erik Karlsson. The Hockey News has him 32nd, but his skills with the puck certainly warrant consideration at 27.

JARED McISAAC (D, HALIFAX - QMJHL)

One potential late first round pick is blueliner Jared McIsaac, who spent 2017-18 with the Halifax Mooseheads, recording 47 points (9G, 38A) in 65 games.

"He's a throwback defenseman," said a scout, per The Hockey News. "We already know what he's going to be. Hard to play against, hard to beat one-on-one."

McIsaac is Future Considerations' 27th ranked prospect, while he's also been listed higher on other forums, including 21st by ISS Hockey.

The Hockey News says Anaheim defenseman Josh Manson is a best case NHL comparison for McIsaac, while the prospect himself lists Los Angeles' Drew Doughty as a role model.

RYAN McLEOD (C, MISSISSAUGA - OHL)

If teams weren't taking notice of Ryan McLeod already, interest most likely heated up during a 14-game point streak from October 6 to November 10. It was the longest stretch by a Mississauga player since Daniel Sisca (17 games) in 2003.

McLeod is another prospect who plays with speed. His skating ability is near the top of this year's class, per draft analysts. He was an alternate captain this season, scoring 26 goals and adding 44 assists in 68 games for Mississauga.

The center is Central Scouting's 16th ranked North American Skater, and ISS Hockey has him listed at 26th overall.

SERRON NOEL (RW, OSHAWA - OHL)

If you're looking for size, Serron Noel has it.

The 6'5'', 204-pound right winger has eye-popping measurables and his physical adjustment to the NHL shouldn't take much time.

Skating is not a knock with this big forward, but much like many prospects selected outside the top 10-15, his talent is raw. If he ends up developing, the end product will be a massive power forward who can skate "like the wind" as The Hockey News put it.

THN has him ranked 29th overall, while Red Line Report has him as high as 17th.

MATTIAS SAMUELSSON (D, USA U-18 - USNTDP)

Modeling his game after Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman, Mattias Samuelsson has a bright future ahead of him.

One scout, per The Hockey News said "he's going to play for a long time. Top pairing or top-four guy with a nasty streak, soft hands, high IQ and good footwork."

All of that adds up to an enticing prospect late in the first round.

The son of former NHLer Kjell Samuelsson is committed to playing for former NHL head coach Andy Murray at Western Michigan University in 2018-19. ISS Hockey lists Samuelsson as their 31st ranked skater, while Red Line Report has him at 23.

AKIL THOMAS (C, NIAGARA - OHL)

Akil Thomas' skill and playmaking have him ranked among those looking to be selected in the first round.

The power play is where the player really excelled. "He makes seam passes, backdoor plays. Makes them look easy, actually," said a scout, per The Hockey News.

Thomas had 22 goals and 59 assists in 68 games for the IceDogs this year. In 2016-17, he set the Niagara record for rookie scoring with 48 points (21-27-48) in 61 games.

ISS lists him at 27, Central Scouting has him as their 15th ranked North American Skater and Red Line Report has him 25th overall.

Did we mention your favorite prospect? Who do you want the team to select at 27? Tell us your pick on twitter by tweeting @NHLBlackhawks.