The Blackhawks’ prospect pipeline seems to be higher and deeper now than it has in years.
That enchancment largely has come on the expense of the NHL roster. And the pipeline nonetheless isn’t as proficient and deep because the Hawks hope it’ll grow to be in a number of extra years. However its continued enchancment nonetheless ought to present some optimism in an otherwise-bleak season to return.
As such, this checklist has been expanded from the highest 10 prospects — as in earlier editions — to the highest 20. The rankings are decided partially by upside and partially by NHL readiness.
No. 1: Lukas Reichel, ahead, age 20
Reichel dominated within the German league in 2020-21, then within the American Hockey League with Rockford in 2021-22. He tasks as a flexible top-six ahead due to his clean puck-carrying potential, tender palms and glorious imaginative and prescient.
He has added much-needed power and weight this offseason and may grow to be a full-time NHL participant this season.
No. 2: Kevin Korchinski, defenseman, age 18
The Hawks see Korchinski, whom they drafted seventh total in July, as a future top-four offensive defenseman and power-play quarterback — a unicorn among the many many defensemen of their system. He’ll proceed growing with Seattle of the Western Hockey League this season.
No. 3: Frank Nazar, ahead, age 18
Nazar, the thirteenth total decide this summer season, seemed unbelievable at improvement camp in July. He tasks as a top-six heart — like Reichel, only some years additional down the highway — due to his skating and work ethic. He’ll be a freshman at Michigan this season.
No. 4: Arvid Soderblom, goaltender, age 23
S oderblom was Rockford’s MVP final season, his first in North America. His .919 save share in 38 video games was considerably miraculous, given the amount and high quality of pictures he confronted.
Along with his observe document and measurement (6-3), he seems to be like an NHL goalie and may get some probabilities to show that if Petr Mrazek or Alex Stalock suffers an damage this season.
No. 5: Drew Commesso, goaltender, age 20
Commesso’s ceiling is increased than Soderblom’s, given his potential to grow to be an elite NHL goalie. However, he’s additional away from the NHL and fewer of a positive factor.
Constructing on his 2022 Olympic expertise, Commesso doubtless will likely be one of many high goalies within the NCAA this season at Boston College, the place he posted a .914 save share final season.
No. 6: Ian Mitchell, defenseman, age 23
Mitchell has been a staple of Hawks prospect rankings for practically a half-decade, and he nonetheless has the well-rounded repertoire that when made him a headliner.
Nonetheless, after spending all of 2021-22 over-ripening in Rockford, 2022-23 could be his make-or-break season to show he can translate his sport successfully to the NHL. If he fails, he may tumble out of the ‘‘prospect’’ class altogether.
No. 7: Alex Vlasic, defenseman, age 21
Vlasic performed his first 15 NHL video games on the finish of final season and improved noticeably even in that brief interval. His towering 6-6 body lengthy has been his promoting level, and he skates and passes properly for his measurement. He’s by no means going to be a star, however he has a excessive ground.
No. 8: Alec Regula, defenseman, age 22
Regula is just like Vlasic in measurement (he’s 6-4, 208 kilos) and NHL expertise (15 video games final season), and he’ll compete with Vlasic — and Mitchell — for enjoying time this season. He has been productive within the Ontario Hockey League and AHL, and he mentioned in April he believes ‘‘there’s a time the place I’ll have the ability to make performs like that within the NHL.’’
No. 9: Wyatt Kaiser, defenseman, age 20
Kaiser’s consciousness and hockey IQ are elite, he defends properly for his measurement (6-0, 183 kilos) — though gaining power has been some extent of focus — and he’s respectable offensively, too. He’ll be a high participant for Minnesota-Duluth once more this season.
No. 10: Sam Rinzel, defenseman, age 18
Rinzel, the twenty fifth total decide this summer season, is so far-off from the NHL — he’s spending 2022-23 within the U.S. Hockey League, then enrolling at Minnesota — that he’s tough to venture.
He has arguably the second-highest ceiling (behind Korchinski) amongst all defensemen within the Hawks’ pipeline, however he may by no means pan out. Solely time will inform.
No. 11: Colton Dach, ahead, age 19
It’ll take awhile for Hawks followers to disassociate Dach from brother Kirby’s irritating tenure, particularly as a result of he tasks to be the same kind of NHL participant.
If Colton develops right into a Kirby-like second- or-third-line heart, nevertheless, that’ll be a significant victory, contemplating his draft place (62nd total in 2021). He’ll flip professional after yet one more season with Kelowna of the WHL.
No. 12: Landon Slaggert, ahead, age 20
Slaggert’s versatility and work ethic are intriguing. He tasks as a jack-of-all-trades NHL ahead who may fill holes all through a lineup. He’ll be a junior at Notre Dame this season.
No. 13: Ethan Del Mastro, defenseman, age 19
Del Mastro will return for a 3rd season with Mississauga of the OHL after taking an enormous step ahead final season and signing a slide-eligible NHL contract.
No. 14: Isaak Phillips, defenseman, age 20
Already having two AHL seasons below his belt at his age has given Phillips a developmental head begin on different Hawks defensive prospects. His ceiling is low, however he could be a reliable third-pairing NHL choice relatively quickly.
No. 15: Jakub Galvas, defenseman, age 23
Galvas seemed good in six appearances for the Hawks in January and February however has been considerably forgotten since. His poise and puck-moving potential is encouraging; his measurement (5-11, 165 kilos) is a priority.
No. 16: Nolan Allan, defenseman, age 19
Only a 12 months after being picked thirty second total, Allan is in a troublesome spot. The overall supervisor who reached for him (Stan Bowman) is gone, and 9 of the 15 prospects forward of him in these rankings are additionally defensemen.
His projection as a third-pairing shutdown man hasn’t modified, however as he returns for one more 12 months with Prince Albert of the WHL, the highway to get there has.
No. 17: Paul Ludwinski, ahead, age 18
Ludwinski will return for a second season with Kingston of the OHL after being chosen thirty ninth total within the draft in July. His skating and motor are high-end.
No. 18: Ryan Greene, ahead, age 18
Greene, picked shortly after Ludwinski, is a well-rounded heart headed to Boston College this season.
No. 19: Jalen Luypen, ahead, age 20
The Hawks’ determination final summer season to make use of a seventh-round decide on Luypen, an over-ager, panned out. His 64 factors in 66 video games within the WHL justified a professional contract, and he’ll attempt to translate that to the AHL this season.
No. 20: Jaxson Stauber, goaltender, age 23
Stauber posted a .921 save share in 37 video games for Windfall final season, incomes a professional contract. He’ll begin the season as Soderblom’s backup in Rockford.
Different prospects to observe
- Antti Saarela, ahead, 21
- Michal Teply, ahead, 21
- Gavin Hayes, ahead, 18
- Samuel Savoie, ahead, 18
- Aidan Thompson, ahead, 20
- Dominic James, ahead, 20
- Nicolas Beaudin, defenseman, 22
- Louis Crevier, defenseman, 21
- Taige Harding, defenseman, 20
