With the Blackhawks being a team built for the future, the prospect pool is among the best we’ve ever seen. Though the group is headlined by obvious names like Bedard and Kevin Korchinski, GM Kyle Davidson has done a great job acquiring talent at every level. The pipeline to Chicago is a deep one, and there’s serious talent throughout the team’s top 25 prospects and even beyond. With that being said, some young stars will have a better chance to make an impact than others, creating a need for a comprehensive ranking of the top 25 prospects in the Blackhawks’ system, plus a few extras.
As we continue to move up the list, below is Part 3 of the series. The group is full of first and second-round picks by the Blackhawks over the past few years, and can best be characterized as talented, highly-touted picks that haven’t necessarily proven themselves yet. However, each player could easily make a big impact in Chicago sooner rather than later.
20. Martin Misiak
One of the Blackhawks’ second-round picks in this year’s draft, Misiak is a left-shooting winger who, aside from fellow Blackhawk Oliver Moore, has been dubbed one of the steals of the draft. He was taken first overall in the CHL Import Draft and will play a big role for the Erie Otters of the OHL this season. Misiak is ferocious on both ends of the ice and uses his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame to create extra chances every time he’s out there. He’ll hope to translate those skills to the OHL level, where the 18-year-old can ramp up his game before eventually getting a shot with the Blackhawks.
19. Nolan Allan
After a terrific year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, Allan will head to Rockford as an immediate impact player on the defensive side. He’s a left-shooting blueliner but has experience playing the right side as well, a trait that could prove vital for Chicago, a team in dire need of RHDs. He was a vital member of a successful Thunderbirds team, posting 16 points in 41 games and a plus-minus of 27. In 19 playoff games, he further picked up the pace, meaning the Blackhawks’ 2021 first-round pick has a lot of promise.
18. Paul Ludwinski
The 2022 second-round pick of the Blackhawks will return to the Kingston Frontenacs for another year this fall before hopefully joining the professional ranks. He’s a great offensive-minded forward who always knows how to get open. He faces big expectations this year in the OHL, but if he can improve on last year’s solid campaign, Ludwinski should find himself part of Chicago’s new youth movement.
17. Roman Kantserov
Kantserov is one of the most touted prospects in the system, and for good reason. He’s a great stick handler and passer and creates great chances on the offensive end. However, this year’s second-round pick doesn’t have a timetable for when he’ll come over from Russia, and he’s pretty undersized, even for a Blackhawks forward. He might end up losing the race to the NHL ranks to some of his North American teammates. However, his talent is top-tier, securing him a spot among the leaders in Chicago’s system.
16. Sam Rinzel
Rinzel, who celebrated his 19th birthday this summer, was a great value pick at 25th overall last year. The big-bodied RHD will head to the University of Minnesota this season but could find himself in Chicago sooner than many of his peers thanks to the team’s position scarcity on the right side. He’d be more than deserving of such a promotion when the time comes, as he pairs his big frame with solid skating and has a cannon of a shot.
