With that in mind, here are some relevant notes from the Combine regarding who could be available at the No. 4 spot. <\/p>\n
Blackhawks Interview Strategy<\/p>\n
It turns out the Blackhawks once again opted to NOT treat any prospects to dinner<\/a> at the Combine. They didn\u2019t last year either, meaning the last prospect they took out was defenseman Artyom Levshunov<\/a>, who was chosen second overall in the 2024 Draft.<\/p>\n The Hawks feel the interview process is enough. After all, they\u2019ve already done extensive research on these young players. Said general manager Kyle Davidson<\/a> after the Draft Lottery on May 5,<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of work that goes in before something like the Combine occurs. We\u2019re talking to a lot of people along the way to make sure we understand who these players are.<\/p>\n So when you get to the combine there\u2019s already a rapport there with probably an area scout or a crossover scout. It\u2019s actually a fun experience where you\u2019re just validating at that point. For us at this point, we already have a good feel for who a lot of these players are. For the combine it\u2019s a final check for a couple questions, and get to know you a little better for myself, who has not met the majority of these players. It\u2019s a good final piece of the puzzle.<\/p>\n All that said, the Blackhawks\u2019 GM indicated they will be taking a \u201cbest available player\u201d approach to their fourth overall selection. This means they were busy at the Combine getting final impressions from a number of prospects. But just who are they targeting? Let\u2019s see if we can obtain some clues from happenings at the Combine.<\/p>\n Observations From the Combine<\/p>\n All signs point towards Gavin McKenna<\/a> not being available for the Blackhawks. Most pundits believe he will be taken by the Maple Leafs first overall. But after that, things seem to be up in the air.<\/p>\n For the second overall pick, it\u2019s well known the Sharks need defense. So will they select defenseman Chase Reid<\/a> (righthanded, RHD)? On the other side of the coin, they still need more strength at forward. Meaning winger Ivar Stenberg<\/a> or center Caleb Malhotra<\/a> aren\u2019t off the table. For what it\u2019s worth, the Sharks took defensemen Reid, Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff to dinner this week<\/a>. But wait! They also treated forward Stenberg to dinner. The Sharks are obviously not showing their hand.<\/p>\n The Canucks, for their part, are rebuilding and need help everywhere. With the third overall pick, they could be very tempted to select Malhotra, especially since his father (Manny Malhotra) was recently named as the Canucks new head coach. However, nothing is a given.<\/p>\n With all this uncertainty, it\u2019s in the Blackhawks\u2019 best interest to consider all three of Reid, Stenberg and Malhotra as players that might be available at the No. 4 spot. If the top forwards and\/or Reid come off the board, D-men Carels (LD), Verhoeff (RD) and even Alberts Smits (LD), could also be options. It might all boil down to character, handedness and projected fit with the Blackhawks\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun Times reported the Blackhawks met previously with Reid<\/a> at his home in Detroit. There, they actually DID take him out to dinner! That\u2019s a pretty good sign the organization is extremely interested in the young D-man if the top three forwards have already been taken.<\/p>\n Fitness Testing Notes<\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve covered who the Blackhawks are likely targeting with the fourth overall pick, let\u2019s get to the fitness testing part of the Combine. Our Mark Scheig reported the heights and weights of all the prospects<\/a>. Here\u2019s the official listings for the above discussed Blackhawks targets.<\/p>\n *Carson Carels<\/a> (LHD), Prince George Cougars (WHL): 6-foot-1.75, 198 pounds\u00a0<\/p>\n Caleb Malhotra (C), Brantford Bulldogs (OHL): 6-foot-1.75, 185 pounds<\/p>\n Chase Reid (RHD), Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 6-foot-2.5, 190 pounds<\/p>\n Alberts Smits <\/a>(LHD), Jukurit (Liiga): 6-foot-2.75, 209 pounds<\/p>\n *Ivar Stenberg (LW\/RW), Frolunda HC (SHL): 5-foot-11, 183 pounds\u00a0<\/p>\n Keaton Verhoeff <\/a>(RHD), University of North Dakota (NCAA): 6-foot-4, 215 pounds<\/p>\n *It should be noted that Stenberg and Carols did not take part in the fitness testing (including getting updated heights and weights). Stenberg opted out since he got sick after participating in the recent World Championships, and Carols was injured in the WHL playoffs. Their measurements were last conducted by NHL Central Scouting.<\/p>\n![\"Artyom](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Artyom-Levshunov-Blackhawks-1200x900.jpg\")
The last prospect the Chicago Blackhawks took out to dinner at the Combine was Artyom Levshunov in 2024. (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n![\"Ivar](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ivar-Stenberg-Sweden-1200x800.jpg\")
The San Jose Sharks could be considering selecting Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg with their second overall pick. (Nick Wosika-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
![\"Caleb](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Caleb-Malhotra-Bulldogs-2-1200x800.jpg\")
Caleb Malhotra, shown here with the Brantford Bulldogs, performed very well in the fitness testing at the 2026 Prospect Combine. (Logan Taylor\/ OHL Images)<\/p>\n