NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks development camp is in the books, and even though we didn’t get to watch the players compete on the ice it’s time for us to update our organizational prospect rankings.
It’s really easy to put a new name at the top of the list now. Kyle Davidson’s rebuild got a nice injection of elite playmaking ability when Chicago won the draft lottery and landed Connor Bedard. But Davidson’s group has drafted very well in consecutive summers now, benefitting from the quantity of picks he’s been able to add in trades to add quality to the system.
You’ll notice how many of the players in our top 30 — yes, we went all the way to 30 this time — were acquired via trade, either straight up or the pick used to select them came from elsewhere. You’ll also notice how many of the players in our to 30 were drafted by Davidson’s group over the past 13 months. Chicago is headed in an exciting direction. Now, we all just need to employ the same patience the organization is using with these young men as they develop into the next generation of Blackhawks.
With all of that being said, let’s begin with the most obvious name at the top of any prospect list in the NHL.
1. Connor Bedard, C
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 185
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 1st round (No. 1 overall) — 2023 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Bedard isn’t only the No. 1 prospect in the Blackhawks’ organization, but he’s the No. 1 prospect in the NHL — until he graduates in the first month of the season because he’s making the jump straight from Regina in the WHL to the NHL. He’s a generational talent who changes the trajectory of the organization. We’ve talked about it a ton here, and will continue to do so: Bedard is the goods.
2. Kevin Korchinski, LHD
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 190
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 1st round (No. 7 overall) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Ottawa in DeBrincat trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks or Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Korchinski had a terrific season with Seattle, helping the Thunderbirds advance to the Memorial Cup. He also skated for Canada in the winter edition of the World Juniors, meaning he put a lot of miles on the tires this past season. So he was happy the Blackhawks made their development camp this summer an off-ice experience. When September rolls around, the Blackhawks will be paying close attention to his development because he’s either in the NHL or back in junior this season. The hard question is what’s best for his development, and how ready is he for the bright lights of the NHL. I wouldn’t be shocked if he stuck in Chicago for the year, even if that means playing on the second pair to ease the transition.
3. Oliver Moore, C
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 194
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 1st round (No. 19 overall) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from TB in the Brandon Hagel trade)
2023-24 Team: University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
Moore falling to the Blackhawks at No. 19 was marvelous fortune for Chicago. He was billed as the best skater in this year’s deep draft class; he’s elite on the ice and has playmaking ability that has shown itself at times while playing for the US National Development Program. He’ll take his talents to Minnesota, where he joins a loaded roster with national championship aspirations.
4. Lukas Reichel, C/LW
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 1st round (No. 17 overall) — 2020 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Reichel sliding to 4 on my list speaks volumes about how I feel about Moore, because he showed very well in extended action in the NHL last season. It sounds like Reichel could get a longer look at center this coming fall with the Blackhawks, which would be great for the organization to have a player with his size and speed at the dot. He’ll be a full-time NHL player this coming season and it feels like we’ve been talking about him for a long time… but he’s still only 21.
5. Frank Nazar, C
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 180
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 1st round (No. 13) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Montreal in K. Dach trade)
2023-24 Team: University of Michigan (Big Ten)
The best skater in last year’s draft, Nazar missed the first three-quarters of Michigan’s season because of an injury. He’s bulked up and kept the speed, however. And, with Adam Fantilli signing his entry-level deal in Columbus, Nazar might be in line for a top-line role with the Wolverines. He might long-term project as a wing in the NHL because of his size, but his speed remains elite and he showed good playmaking skills and scoring ability when he joined Michigan’s lineup.
6. Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 210
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 4th round (No. 105) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Vancouver in M. Bowey trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
I continue to be sky-high on Del Mastro’s ceiling. He isn’t going to run a power play, but he’s played both sides and is a big, strong, physical defenseman who played a heavy role for Canada at the winter edition of the World Juniors (where he was an assistant captain). He won gold twice with Canada last year and I think pairing him with Korchinski could be a dynamite, long-term top pair for the Blackhawks in the future. We’ll see where they skater him in Rockford this season.
7. Ryan Greene, C
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 180
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 57) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Minnesota in MA Fleury trade)
2023-24 Team: Boston University (Hockey East)
Greene has good size and played a top-six center role for Boston University last season as a true, teenage freshman. That isn’t easy to do, especially on a team good enough to make the Frozen Four. He’s a terrific skater who does well at the dot as well. The Blackhawks’ top level center prospects aren’t as big as Greene, which may ultimately be an advantage for him. I’m excited to see how his sophomore year plays out — and if he signs after two collegiate seasons.
8. Alex Vlasic, LHD
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 218
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 43) — 2019 NHL Draft
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Vlasic spent last year in Rockford and developed even further after a solid career at Boston University. He got time on the power play with the IceHogs, adding another element to his game. The Blackhawks had him paired with Seth Jones during the preseason last year and they looked good and comfortable together; that might be a pair that plays early in the coming season. He’s ready for the next level and brings a lot of size and a great reach to the next level.
9. Isaak Phillips, LHD, Chicago Blackhawks
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 205
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 5th round (No. 141) — 2019 NHL Draft
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Phillips is becoming a lottery ticket that cashes for the Blackhawks. A fifth-round pick in 2019, he signed earlier than many expected because of the pandemic. He’s taken every opportunity and run with it, and has emerged as a valuable defenseman for the organization. Phillips has seen enough NHL action to date that he appears to be ready for the jump full-time next year, and could be a second or third pair option for the coaching staff. He’s got really good size, plays physical and also skates with and moves the puck well for a player his size.
10. Aidan Thompson, C
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 180
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 90) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Calgary in Zadorov trade)
2023-24 Team: University of Denver (NCHC)
Thompson’s freshman season at Denver started late because of an injury suffered at the USA camp before the World Juniors in the summer, but he jumped into their lineup and was an impact player as a middle-six center. He finished his first collegiate season as a point-per-game player and was impressive all over the ice. I’m incredibly high on Thompson as a potential middle-six player with positional versatility for the Blackhawks in the future. He’s already 21, so we’ll see if he turns pro after the coming season.
11. Colton Dach, W
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 62) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Vegas in pick swap)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Last season was a tough one for Dach in every regard. He started the Blackhawks’ prospect showcase on the top line with Reichel, and scored on the first shift of the first game. But he soon left with what we later found out was a concussion, that kept him off the ice until late in the NHL preseason. He got back on the ice for the Blackhawks and looked good against NHL competition, but suffered another concussion while serving as the captain in Kelowna. A shoulder injury suffered at the World Juniors also cost him significant time, but he finished the year strong with Seattle as they made a Memorial Cup run. He’ll be in Rockford this year showing that he can play with good size and skating ability.
12. Wyatt Kaiser, LHD
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 186
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 81) — 2020 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Calgary for E. Gustafsson)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks or Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
One of the players mentioned by prospects like Moore during development camp who stood out to them was Kaiser, who broke into the NHL last season after finishing a successful career at Minnesota-Duluth. He showed well in his NHL action and will battle with Phillips, Filip Roos and any additional free agent additions between now and the start of the regular season for a spot in Chicago. He’s impressed everyone in the organization thus far and plays a strong two-way game.
13. Gavin Hayes, RW
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 178
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Montreal in K. Dach trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Flint Firebirds (OHL)
When he met with the media near the end of development camp, Davidson said Hayes has “a knack for finding the back of the net.” His 41-goal season for Flint was a strong indicator that he’s a guy who can do that with frequency; it earned him an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks and an invite to USA Hockey’s development camp later in July for the World Juniors. He needs to work on his skating; he knows that. But his scoring prowess stands out among the Blackhawks’ prospect group and could make him a dangerous player down the road. But Hayes is also willing to kill penalties and play the entire sheet, which will help him as he works to earn an NHL spot.
14. Sam Rinzel, RHD
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 180
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 1st round (No. 25) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Toronto in Mrazek trade)
2023-24 Team: University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
Rinzel was a lottery ticket pick last year by the Blackhawks because there just aren’t many 6-4 right-handed defensemen who can skate out there. He’s got a lot of ability and has really good offensive instincts that will get coached up at Minnesota this coming season. Rinzel is a longer-term project pick, but if he can maintain his skating while adding bulk to his frame and get his defensive game better, the Blackhawks might have a great 1-2 punch on their power play with him and Korchinski down the road.
15. Arvid Söderblom, G
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Acquired: free agent
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Söderblom will get an opportunity to be a full-time NHL player this coming season, where he’ll try to take the starting job away from Petr Mrazek. He had a good season in Rockford last year and will look to build on that with the Blackhawks. He’ll have to keep an eye over his shoulder, however, because the Blackhawks got some good work from Jaxson Stauber in the NHL last season and have Drew Commesso coming.
16. Drew Commesso, G
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 46) — 2020 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Vegas in M. Subban trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
We’ve been talking about Commesso for a while, and now he’ll get the chance to show what he’s got in the AHL as a first-year professional. He finished the season strong after having mono mid-season at BU and has played well internationally for the US in the World Juniors, Olympics and was on the World Championship roster this past summer as well.
17. Nolan Allan, LHD
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 193
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 1st round (No. 32) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Columbus in S. Jones trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Allan really took a big step forward for me over the past year. He became a valuable member of Canada’s World Junior team in the winter and showed more offensive ability than many gave him credit for both with Canada and in Seattle after he was traded to the Thunderbirds. He’s still more of a defensive defenseman who might get a long look on the right side this year in Rockford; he’s played both sides in the past and Chicago needs to find some depth on the right side.
18. Roman Kantserov, W
Ht: 5-9 Wt: 176
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 44) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from OTT in Zaitsev trade)
2023-24 Team: Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
Scott Powers had Kantserov in his top ten in the organization, noting that his playmaking ability is some of the best in the Blackhawks’ system. Powers says the Blackhawks see him as a potential top-six wing down the road. My concerns are pretty simple: he’s playing in Russia (so, timetable is TBD), and his size isn’t great or ideal. The Blackhawks have some other wings who can score (Hayes, Ludwinski, Dach) coming who might grab a top-six role before he gets here. So there will be a battle waiting for him if/when he gets to Chicago.
19. Paul Ludwinski, W
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 190
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 39) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from OTT in DeBrincat trade)
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Ludwinski dealt with some injury issues of his own this past season, including an ankle injury that cost him a couple months at the end of the year. He appears to be back at 100 percent now, and the Blackhawks think enough of his game that they signed him in spite of the injury issues limiting his numbers in his post-draft season. He can fly and has good offensive instincts. I’ll be watching his game this coming year to see how he progresses.
20. Dominic James, C
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 6th round (No. 173) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from CBJ in S. Jones trade)
2023-24 Team: University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
James was the best faceoff guy at the summer edition of the World Juniors last year — in the tournament, not just for the US. He’s headed back to Minnesota-Duluth for a junior season with more expectations. Davidson listed him as one of the players who had physically bulked up over the past year, and his skating ability could make him a valuable center for the organization in the future.
21. Martin Misiak, W
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 55) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from CBJ in S. Jones trade)
2023-24 Team: Erie Otters (OHL)
Misiak came over from Slovakia to join the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL this past season and, between the USHL and the World Juniors, made a strong enough impression to see his stock rise to a second-round pick in the NHL draft. He was also the No. 1 pick in the CHL Import Draft by Erie in the OHL. He has terrific size already as a teenager and some think he might be the steal of the Blackhawks’ draft class.
22. Adam Gajan, G
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2nd round (No. 35) — 2023 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Powers is reporting Gajan, 19, will play a second season in the USHL before matriculating to Minnesota-Duluth, but Elite Prospects says he’ll be with the Bulldogs this coming season. Either way, the Blackhawks love what they see in Gajan; when asked why he took a goaltender as high as he did this summer, Davidson confidently said he was the best player available on their board. He was the best goaltender at the World Juniors and has the size to be a very good NHL goaltender down the road.
23. Landon Slaggert, W
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 191
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 79) — 2020 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Notre Dame (Big Ten)
Slaggert is returning to Notre Dame for his senior season. The organization still loves him and would have liked to sign him this summer, but he wanted to play with his younger brother this season in South Bend. He’s another guy who brings a lot of versatility to the ice and could be a good bottom-six player when his college career comes to a close later this season. I’ve been high on Slaggert and still think he can be an NHL player, but the depth of the organization has exploded since he was drafted. His leadership is also something the Blackhawks like — and I do, too.
24. Nick Lardis, W
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 168
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2023 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Davidson spoke about Lardis being a character player; he’s known Lardis’ family for years growing up in Canada. They’re a hockey family, and Nick is a very good player who was worthy of a third-round selection without the plus-plus character. After a mid-season trade to Hamilton last year, he blew up and scored 25 times in 33 games. He added 10 points in six playoff games, and his draft stock went way up. There’s a lot to like about his makeup and game on the ice. He and Misiak are a couple picks other than Bedard and Moore that I really like from this summer.
25. Samuel Savoie, W
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 196
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 3rd round (No. 81) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Vegas in pick swap)
2023-24 Team: Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
We’ve been talking about him begin Andrew Shaw 2.0 since he was drafted. His personality is bigger than his body, but he also plays big and physical — sometimes to a fault. Savoie mentioned when speaking with the media this week that he’s worked hard on employing better discernment on the ice when he wants to go after someone, but said it’s his passion for the game and his teammates that make him play with the edge he has. He’s a fireball and I’m here for it.
26. Ilya Safonov, C – 2021
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 205
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 6th round (No. 172) — 2021 NHL Draft
2023-24 Team: Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
Safonov is probably the most polarizing player in the Blackhawks’ prospect ranking world right now. He’s a big center who has emerged as a legit power forward in the KHL. BUT he’s signed there for a couple more years, and his skating isn’t quite on par with a lot of the other prospects on this list. Because of his skating and the time he’s committed in Russia, I have him down here on my list. But if he comes over at some point, he could be an impact center in the NHL.
27. Jalen Luypen, W
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 157
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 7th round (No. 216) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Florida in Carlsson, Wallmark trade)
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Take everything I just wrote about Safonov and put the opposite here. Sorensen described him as a dog on a bone with the puck; he’s a big energy guy who works his butt off every shift. The concerns are his size and health; an injury ended his 2021-22 postseason early and cut into last year. But he’s signed and the organization really likes him. As a seventh-round pick, he’s a winner already getting a shot at the pro game. We’ll see how his first full season in Rockford progresses.
28. Jaxson Stauber, G
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Acquired: college free agent
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Stauber signed as a college free agent after a terrific season at Providence and came into camp as a relative long-shot. He appeared in six NHL games and showed well with the Blackhawks when injuries hit the crease, and looks like Davidson’s group found a good one. The organizational depth is now younger than before; he’ll battle Commesso for the top spot on the depth chart in Rockford this season.
29. Ryder Rolston, W
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 185
Acquired: via trade from Colorado for Carl Soderberg (2021)
Shoots: Right
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
The Blackhawks acquired the rights to Rolston in a trade a couple years ago and watched him put up two more solid seasons at Notre Dame before signing him at the end of last season. A shoulder injury that ended his college season prematurely kept him from playing with the IceHogs, but he’s a terrific skater from an NHL family who was coached well at ND. His size is a plus. I’m interested to see how his first professional season looks.
30. Antti Saarela, W
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 190
Acquired: 4th round (No. 123) — 2019 NHL Draft* (pick acquired from Boston in Wingels trade)
Shoots: Left
SIGNED
2023-24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
After skating in Sweden last season, the Blackhawks signed Saarela and he’ll make the move to Rockford this coming season. Even though the Blackhawks drafted him four years ago — which feels like a decade — he’s still just 22 years old. He has some offensive upside. He’s another guy that I’ll be watching in Rockford.
Honorable Mention
Filip Roos, D
Marcel Marcel, F
Victor Stjernborg, F
Alex Pharand, F
Jiri Felcman, F
