Boqvist was seemingly in line to be the prime beneficiary of Zach Werenski's season-ending shoulder injury a year ago, but he too struggled to remain healthy, appearing in just 46 games. The production was there (five goals, 24 points, 9 power-play points) when the Swede managed to suit up, however. Boqvist will play this entire upcoming season at age 23, so there remains plenty of long-term hope for him, but the additions of Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov to the Columbus lineup in 2023-24 could easily impact Boqvist's usefulness from a fantasy standpoint. As is, he's nothing more than a late-round dart throw in all formats.
As expected, Boqvist took on an increased role in his first year in Columbus in 2021-22, but injuries limited him to just 52 games. He was productive (11 goals, 22 points) when healthy, but Boqvist still struggled to defend at times and isn't of much use to either the Jackets or fantasy managers if he isn't piling up the points. The presence of Zach Werenski as Columbus' unquestioned No. 1 power-play quarterback leaves Boqvist fighting for scraps with the second unit, thus making him nothing more than a fringe option in standard formats.
Boqvist was part of the package that went to the Blue Jackets in the trade that sent Seth Jones to Chicago in July, a deal that could easily turn into a massive win for Columbus given the bloated contract the Blackhawks handed Jones and Boqvist's high-end potential. The Swede has been a regular member of the Chicago blue line over the past two seasons, posting six goals and 29 points (10 on the power play) in 76 games. Boqvist has terrific vision and offensive awareness and will play this entire season at age 21. He should join Zach Werenski on Columbus' top power-play unit and makes for an ideal mid-to-late round pick in all fantasy formats.
Boqvist was decent as a 19-year-old rookie last season, totaling four goals and 13 points, two of which came with the man advantage, while posting a minus-3 rating and averaging 16:13 of ice time in 41 contests. Looking ahead to his sophomore campaign, Boqvist's ice time should increase substantially as he skates alongside Duncan Keith on Chicago's top pairing while also being deployed on the second power-play unit, but he almost certainly won't produce enough offense on a poor Blackhawks squad to be worth rostering in fantasy. The 20-year-old Swede could develop into a decent depth option from a fantasy standpoint over the next few years, but virtual managers don't need to have Boqvist on their radar heading into this year's drafts.
Boqvist, the Blackhawks top defensive prospect, excelled in the OHL last year, racking up 20 goals and 60 points in 54 games with the London Knights. The eighth overall pick from the 2018 draft has the potential to be a bonafide No. 1 blueliner for Chicago in the future, but the 'Hawks aren't going to rush his development. Boqvist will turn pro in 2019-20, but he'll likely spend the entirety of the campaign continuing to hone his craft with AHL Rockford. The 18-year-old Swede is definitely worth stashing in dynasty formats, but he likely won't be worth a look in re-draft settings for at least one more season.
Boqvist played last season in his native Sweden but hopped the pond after being selected eighth overall by the Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, signing with OHL London. Heading into his age-18 season, the blueliner is viewed as possessing top-pairing potential with offensive upside down the road. Still, he's likely a at least a year or two away from making a splash at the NHL level and possesses value primarily as a dynasty piece.
