Where every Blackhawks prospect is playing this season
Connor Bedard will obviously be in the NHL this season, but he may be the only player drafted by Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson who will be at that level, at least to start the season.
Beyond Bedard, Davidson is hopeful many more of his drafted players will be in the NHL someday too.
But Davidson will be patient.
For players like Kevin Korchinski and Frank Nazar, Davidsons first-ever draft picks, this season is about development and probably most of it will come with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL.
Advertisement Whether its the AHL, college hockey, OHL, Russia or nearly anywhere else, youll be able to see notable Blackhawks prospects playing this season.
Heres where you can find all the Blackhawks prospects this season: Forwards Sacha Boisvert, 18, first round in 2024, North Dakota ( NCAA ): Boisvert will be a freshman at North Dakota this season.
With his size and shot, the Blackhawks think he can be different than a lot of the prospects they have in their system.
Colton Dach, 21, second round in 2021, Rockford IceHogs (AHL): Dach was close to being called up last season.
If he can consistently get to the net and be physical, theres room for a player like that in the NHL.
Jiri Felcman, 19, third round in 2023, Langnau (NL): Felcman is off to a good start this season in Switzerlands National League.
He could be a sleeper prospect over the next few years.
Ryan Greene, 20, second round in 2022, Boston (NCAA): The Blackhawks wanted Greene to sign after 2023-24.
Theyre going to do their best to make sure he signs after this season.
Cole Guttman, 25, free agent, IceHogs (AHL): Guttman was one of the IceHogs best players late last season.
Hes not a true prospect any longer, but theres still a path for him to the NHL if he can pick up where he left off.
Gavin Hayes, 20, third round in 2022, IceHogs (AHL): Hayes was one of the OHLs top goal scorers.
He either needs to find a way to translate that to pro hockey or prove himself in another way.
Dominic James, 22, sixth round in 2022, Duluth (NCAA): James is another college player the Blackhawks are expected to sign after this season.
Hes another speed bottom-six forward.
Nils Juntorp, 20, sixth round in 2022, HC Dalen (Hockeyettan): Juntrop has little chance of signing with the Blackhawks right now.
Hes playing in Swedens third division.
Roman Kantserov, 20, second round in 2023, Metallurg (KHL): Kantserov was one of the KHLs top young players last season.
He especially played well in the playoffs.
Hes likely out for at least a few more months after having shoulder surgery this offseason.
He has two years left on his KHL deal.
Artur Kayumov , 26, second round in 2016, Lokomotiv (KHL): Kayumov is one of the few older players the Blackhawks kept on their reserve list.
The chance of him signing is still probably pretty thin.
Advertisement Nick Lardis, 19, third round in 2023, Brantford (OHL): Lardis could be one of the OHLs top goal scorers this season.
The Blackhawks want him to get bigger and play more inside, but he has a chance to be an offensive player at the next level, too.
Hes under contract for next season.
Paul Ludwinski, 20, second round in 2022, IceHogs (AHL): Ludwinski has learned to use his speed more efficiently.
Hell likely spend the year in Rockford, but he has a chance in the future to be a bottom-six center.
Jalen Luypen, 22, seventh round in 2021, IceHogs (AHL): The Blackhawks have a lot of forwards who can play with speed like Luypen.
Hes going to have to differentiate himself this season to earn another contract.
Marcel Marcel, 20, fifth round in 2023, IceHogs (AHL): Marcel should get more of a consistent opportunity with the IceHogs this season.
Hes on an AHL contract again.
Martin Misiak , 20, second round in 2023, Erie (OHL): The Blackhawks like a lot of Misiaks game, but its a matter of consistency for him this season.
He already has an NHL contract for next season.
Oliver Moore, 19, first round in 2023, Minnesota (NCAA): Moore is probably the primary unsigned prospect to watch this season.
He likely will turn pro after his season and join the Blackhawks in the NHL.
John Mustard, 18, third round in 2024, Providence (NCAA): Mustard will be a freshman at Providence this season.
He was considered one of the fastest players in the 2024 draft.
Frank Nazar, 20, first round in 2022, IceHogs (AHL): Nazar is at his best when playing with speed.
Its just not consistent enough yet.
Hell work on it with the IceHogs.
Milton Oscarson, 21, sixth round in 2023, Orebro (SHL): The Blackhawks were attracted to Oscarsons 6-foot-7 frame as a forward to draft him late in 2023.
He still has a long way to go for him to be signed.
Advertisement Alex Pharand, 19, fourth round in 2023, Sudbury (OHL): Pharand didnt take the step the Blackhawks were hoping for last season.
Theyll have to decide after this season whether they want to sign him.
Jack Pridham, 18, third round in 2024, West Kelowna (BCHL): Pridham will spend one more season in the BCHL before joining Boston University next season.
Ryder Rolston, 22, trade, IceHogs (AHL): Rolston will be back with the IceHogs for his second season.
He has a lot of positive attributes, but they havent all clicked yet.
Antti Saarela, 23, fourth round in 2019, Lukko (Liiga): Saarela opted to be loaned to a team in Sweden rather than likely sit this season in Rockford or Indy.
He has one year left on his contract with the Blackhawks.
Ilya Safonov , 23, sixth round in 2021, Ak Bars (KHL): Safonov is entering the final year of his KHL contract.
Hes expressed an interest in coming over to North America in the past.
Well see if he and the Blackhawks can agree on something after this season.
Hes a possible bottom-six center.
Zach Sanford, 29, waivers, IceHogs (AHL): Sanford impressed the Blackhawks enough late last season to earn another contract.
Hes someone who could get called up depending on the need.
Samuel Savoie, 20, third round in 2022, IceHogs (AHL): The Blackhawks really liked what they saw from Savoie in the rookie tournament and in training camp.
Hes becoming the player they envision him to be as a pesky bottom-six forward.
Brett Seney, 28, free agent, IceHogs (AHL): The Blackhawks brought Seney back because they feel hes a good presence on and off the ice in Rockford.
Landon Slaggert, 22, third round in 2020, IceHogs (AHL): Slaggert had a strong camp after making his NHL debut next season.
He should be in line to get called up this season.
AJ Spellacy, 18, third round in 2024, Windsor (OHL): Spellacy opened eyes with his speed in training camp.
He should be a fun watch to watch over the next couple of seasons.
Advertisement Victor Stjernborg , 21, fourth round in 2021, Vaxjo (SHL): Stjernborg has been a solid SHL player.
Whether the Blackhawks think hes worth signing will be known soon enough.
They have until June 2025 to sign him.
Joel Svensson, 19, fifth round in 2024, Vaxjo (SHL): Svensson could split time in Swedens top two divisions this season.
The Blackhawks like his skating ability.
Aidan Thompson, 22, third round in 2022, Denver (NCAA): Thompson didnt have the sophomore season at Denver he and the Blackhawks were hoping for.
If this year is different, hes someone the Blackhawks would probably consider signing after this season.
Riku Tohila, 20, seventh round in 2022, JYP (Liiga): The Blackhawks took a shot at Tohila because hes a 6-foot-8 forward.
He should get more games in the top Finnish league this season, but hes still a project.
Marek Vanacker, 18, first round in 2024, Brantford (OHL): Vanacker is expected to return to play around December after having shoulder surgery in the offseason.
He and Lardis should be interesting to follow together this season.
Defensemen Louis Crevier, 23, seventh round in 2020, IceHogs (AHL): Crevier has come a long way.
Hes someone the Blackhawks dont mind calling up and filling in for someone else.
Whether he can earn an NHL spot outright is the next hurdle.
Ethan Del Mastro , 21, fourth round in 2021, IceHogs (AHL): Del Mastro had a strong first pro season and was an AHL All-Star last season.
For him, its largely about proving he can keep up with the speed of the game.
Taige Harding , 22, third round in 2021, Providence (NCAA): Harding could sign with the Blackhawks after his season with Providence.
Hes a senior this season.
He has a lot of size at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds.
Ty Henry, 18, sixth round in 2024, Erie (OHL): The Blackhawks love Henrys athleticism and think he has a chance.
Hell spend the next couple of years in the OHL.
Advertisement Kevin Korchinski, 20, first round in 2022, IceHogs (AHL): Rockford wasnt an option for Korchinski last season due to his age.
The Blackhawks will use the IceHogs this season in hopes of bringing along Korchinski further and helping him regain his confidence with the puck.
Artyom Levshunov , 18, first round in 2024, TBD: Levshunov, the No.
2 pick in the 2024 draft, will likely join the IceHogs when hes cleared to play.
That should come at some point this month.
Janne Peltonen, 19, seventh round in 2023, Karpat (Liiga): Peltonen is another long shot, but the Blackhawks have his rights until 2027.
Sam Rinzel, 20, first round in 2022, Minnesota (NCAA): Rinzel has a chance to be one of college hockeys top defensemen this season.
If things go right, hell be signing and playing with the Blackhawks in the NHL come spring.
Goalies Drew Commesso , 22, second round in 2020, TBD: Commesso is still with the Blackhawks, but hes expected to return to Rockford to start the season.
This is another key development season for him.
The Blackhawks want him to get as many reps as possible in the AHL.
Adam Gajan, 20, second round in 2023, Duluth (NCAA): Gajan will be a freshman at Duluth this season after returning to the USHL last season.
He and another freshman are likely to be Duluths main goalies this season.
Gajan has a long road to the Blackhawks.
(Top photo of Oliver Moore: Michael Miller / Getty Images).
This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5816236/2024/10/04/blackhawks-prospects-nhl-2024-25-season/