Blackhawks normal supervisor Kyle Davidson has heralded the event of prospects as his largest motive for optimism in regards to the rebuild.
There was some motion throughout the Hawks’ pool this season, nevertheless, as some prospects hit ceilings whereas others elevate their shares.
These rankings, as at all times, are decided partially by upside and partially by NHL readiness. Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert and Nolan Allan have graduated off the record for the reason that July 2024 edition as a result of they’re at present on the NHL roster.
1. Artyom Levshunov, defenseman, age 19
The Hawks have targeted on maximizing Levshunov’s studying experiences this season. He’s logging enormous minutes within the AHL, which is uncommon for teenage defensemen. The identical eagerness to be taught and work that enabled his fast transition from Belarus to the US has been evident to everybody in Rockford.
Levshunov’s distinctive skating stride typically creates an phantasm he’s not hustling when he really is, and the Hawks proceed to count on him to evolve right into a top-pairing NHL defenseman who can dominate offensively and defensively. He has all the mandatory instruments; it’s only a matter of placing them along with the suitable danger administration.
2. Kevin Korchinski, defenseman, 20
The Hawks needed Korchinski to give attention to getting his mojo again this season in Rockford whereas additionally gaining power and weight. His manufacturing hasn’t been as prolific as hoped — as a result of his mojo is highest when he’s skating effortlessly with the puck and getting concerned offensively — however his standout efficiency on the AHL All-Star recreation was good to see.
3. Sam Rinzel, defenseman, 20
The Hawks drafted Rinzel out of highschool in 2022 understanding he would require an extended improvement timeline. Their endurance is now paying off: Rinzel has been the most effective defensemen in school hockey at Minnesota this season. He’s placing all his instruments collectively and — simply as importantly — trusting them. He may make his NHL debut this spring.
4. Oliver Moore, ahead, 20
Moore has been the less-attention-grabbing Minnesota sophomore throughout the Hawks’ prospect pool, however Davidson believes Moore has performed properly sufficient to supply extra factors had his early-season luck been higher. His pace is his calling card, and he has spent the final two years engaged on studying tips on how to use it extra successfully. He may additionally make his NHL debut this spring.
5. Roman Kantserov, ahead, 20
Kantserov’s exploding manufacturing in Russia has catapulted him up the rankings. His imaginative and prescient and creativity within the offensive zone is spectacular. However at 5-9, will he be capable of make the most of these abilities successfully within the NHL someday? That’s the skepticism he’ll have to beat.
6. Nick Lardis, ahead, 19
Lardis’ otherworldly manufacturing within the OHL has catapulted him up the rankings, as properly. His shot may be even higher than initially thought. The 2023 third-round choose might go within the first spherical of a redraft, however he’ll need to show he can translate his goal-scoring to the professionals.
7. Sacha Boisvert, ahead, 18
Boisvert, the 18th total choose final summer time, has excelled as a freshman at North Dakota. He’s gaining power rapidly, and the Hawks like his well-rounded recreation and aggressiveness.
8. Marek Vanacker, ahead, 18
Vanacker’s season began late as a result of shoulder surgical procedure, after which he needed to scrape off some rust. Davidson describes him as a Swiss Military knife who he envisions with the ability to play up and down the lineup and in varied special-teams roles someday.
9. Ethan Del Mastro, defenseman, 22
Del Mastro additionally obtained off to a gradual begin this season in Rockford, however he has discovered his stride this winter and held his personal in six current NHL appearances. He strikes the puck pretty properly for somebody his measurement (6-4), though his decision-making might be iffy at occasions. AHL scouts sing his praises extremely.
10. Colton Dach, ahead, 22
Dach’s newest wrestle with inconsistency got here throughout his 13-game NHL stint, as his preliminary physicality and hardness trailed off as time went on. When on his recreation, he could be a ruthless energy ahead, however he’s getting older.
11. Samuel Savoie, ahead, 20
Ahead prospects Savoie, Gavin Hayes and Paul Ludwinski all arrived in Rockford this season with comparable expectations, and Savoie has stood out most. He’s engaged on translating his pace into extra offensive manufacturing, however his every-shift scrappiness provides one other dimension to his recreation.
12. Ryan Greene, ahead, 21
Greene and Boisvert are two candidates for the Hawks’ future third-line heart position; the chances are first rate that not less than certainly one of them will attain that ceiling. All through three years at Boston College, Greene has at all times been dependable, if not flashy. The Hawks tried to signal him final spring and can strive once more this spring.
13. Wyatt Kaiser, defenseman, 22
Final summer time, Kaiser appeared on the cusp of changing into a full-time NHL defenseman, however Allan and Del Mastro have now handed him on the depth chart. He has struggled with premature turnovers and doesn’t completely match any particular position. Nonetheless, he stays a talented, intelligent participant who looks as if he may make the Hawks remorse giving up on him prematurely, in the event that they do.
14. Drew Commesso, goalie, 22
Commesso’s save proportion has worsened behind a weaker Rockford workforce in his second AHL season. His intelligence is a power, although, and he has labored on getting set in his stance earlier so he can use that intelligence to learn the play. It’s value noting goalies’ improvement timelines might be very unpredictable.
15. Gavin Hayes, ahead, 20
Hayes tallied simply 5 factors in his first 29 AHL video games earlier than being sidelined by a shoulder damage. He’s nonetheless younger, although. Coaches rave about his hockey IQ, however he must proceed getting stronger and sooner.
16. Aidan Thompson, ahead, turning 23
When Thompson turns 23 on Tuesday, he’ll develop into the oldest man on this record, which limits his runway considerably. However he’s having fun with a breakout junior yr on the College of Denver as a result of he has discovered tips on how to use his pace to get to the online.
17. AJ Spellacy, ahead, turning 19
Spellacy, the standout prospect of Hawks coaching camp, hasn’t produced that a lot within the OHL this season, however his recreation is outlined extra by athleticism, physicality and relentlessness anyway. He’s a long-term undertaking.
18. Jack Pridham, ahead, 19
Pridham’s improvement has surged forward since he jumped to the OHL. He’ll be part of the Hawks’ BU pipeline subsequent season, primarily changing Greene.
19. John Mustard, ahead, 18
Mustard may be the quickest speedster amongst many on this record, and he has been decently productive as a Windfall freshman regardless of flying below the radar.
20. Dominic James, ahead, 22
The Hawks hope to signal James, a senior at Minnesota-Duluth, after his school season ends. A shoulder damage price the small however scrappy heart virtually all of his junior season, however he has since rediscovered his recreation. Davidson calls him a “sparkplug.”
Different prospects to watch: Martin Misiak, Paul Ludwinski, Adam Gajan, Alex Pharand, Taige Harding, Ilya Safonov
