1. New York Islanders — Andy’s Pick
   Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

(Michael Miller / ISI Photos)

New Islander general manager Mathieu Darche won’t get cute here. Schaefer is at the top of this year’s draft class and the smooth-skating defenseman will go No. 1 to the Isles. The Islanders need defensemen in their prospect pool badly and will take full advantage of pole position in this year’s draft. After missing a decent chunk of the 2024-25 season due to injury, Schaefer, who is 17 years young until September, will most likely need at least one more full season of development in the OHL with Erie, or there is a real possibility he could be NCAA bound for the 2025-26 campaign.

2. San Jose Sharks — Eric’s Pick
   Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

(Natalie Shaver / OHL Images)

While it is possible Sharks GM Mike Grier could galaxy-brain this pick and look to diversify his prospect pool with someone like Anton Frondell, which has been widely speculated as being the case, enough to make me strongly consider making Frondell the pick here, he would be wise to not overthink this one and select the consensus best forward in the draft in Misa. Though, us Blackhawks fans would be quite pleased if Grier does pass on the nearly goal-per-game scorer. I’m very much not confident in this given the growing belief Frondell will be a Shark, but I will give a proverbial 51-49 edge to Misa here and hope for the Hawks’ sake that I am wrong.

3. Chicago Blackhawks — Andy’s Pick
   Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)

(Kenta Jönsson / BILDBYRÅN)

If Misa is here, it’s Misa, but if it’s Frondell, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson goes with the young Swede here and there is a lot to like. You need skill to win, but you also need players who win pucks and play a 200-foot game. That’s what you get with Frondell, and all signs indicate that his character and will to win are elements that any team would want in their locker room. It will be interesting as to when he would come overseas to make his NHL debut, likely the 2026-27 season, but regardless, the Hawks will be getting a hell of a prospect with Frondell.

4. Utah Mammoth — Eric’s Pick
   Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The Sam Bennett effect is real, folks. Utah opts for the gritty center to create a diverse 1-2 punch down the middle with Logan Cooley. Bill Armstrong has shown before he is not afraid to reach for the player he believes is the best fit for his organization and again goes back to that well to continue building the Mammoth.

5. Nashville Predators — Andy’s Pick
   James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA) 

There are rumblings that Hagens may drop, but the Predators are truly at a crossroads after laying an egg in 2024-25, and the skill and talent of Hagens may be too much to pass up. Let’s not forget that it was not long ago that Hagens was predicted to go No. 1 overall. He was a point-per-game player for Boston College and tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven World Junior contests for the gold medal-winning United States. Barry Trotz has hinted that he thinks highly of Hagens’ game, and for that reason and more, he goes to Nashville.

6. Philadelphia Flyers — Eric’s Pick
   Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

O’Brien has been one of the players most commonly associated with a rising draft stock as Friday has approached, and there has been much speculation that he will not last past Philadelphia at 6. In O’Brien, the Flyers get a smart pivot capable of producing offensively. Philadelphia likes opting for cerebral players, so while O’Brien may not have the highest ceiling among the players still on the board, he certainly feels like a Flyers type of pick.

7. Boston Bruins — Andy’s Pick
   Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 

For a player who some have indicated has the ceiling of Patrice Bergeron, who better to take a flier on Desnoyers than Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Some think Martone goes at 7, and possibly, but Fabian Lysell and Matthew Poitras are the lone skilled forwards in Boston’s prospect pool, neither of whom may work out for the long term. If David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and others are to be Bruins for life, then they need to get younger with puck distributors and high-end talent. Desnoyers could be the steal of the draft and Boston would be wise to take him at 7.

8. Seattle Kraken — Eric’s Pick
   Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The Kraken have invested heavily in high-end forwards in the first round over the last few years, highlighted by Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Berkly Catton, so it’s time for them to turn their attention to the blue line. In Mrtka, the Kraken get a hulking yet smart defenseman. He uses his size well to close gaps and is good as a distributor in transition as well, giving Seattle a well-rounded two-way option for the future.

9. Buffalo Sabres — Andy’s Pick
   Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL) 

For whatever reason, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams felt compelled to move John-Jason Peterka, who finished second on the team with 68 points. The return on that trade is questionable, and if Martone, who some think is the best pure goal scorer in the draft, is available at 9, there is no chance Adams can pass up on him. Skating is something Martone will need to work on, but his willingness to get to the net, decent hands in tight and sharp shooting ability will see him being an NHL weapon. He has been rumored to head to the NCAA ranks next season, which will only support his development.

10. Anaheim Ducks — Eric’s Pick
    Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Anaheim is loaded with quality young players and prospects up front, even after dealing away Trevor Zegras this week, and while they also have some quality young pieces on the blue line already, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek makes a reasonable selection here in Smith, a creative, offensive-minded defenseman. Verbeek has also had a tendency to favor size, and at 6-foot-3, Smith also checks that box.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins — Andy’s Pick
    Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are nearing the end of their storybook careers, and the Penguins need to think about the center position for their future. Though McQueen should not be expected to carry that same torch, he is big, strong and highly skilled. Injuries shortened his 2024-25 campaign, but he is fully healthy and will be a force, should he decide to return to the WHL next season.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers) — Eric’s Pick
    Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)

After snagging McQueen, who could be the steal of the draft, at 11, the Penguins turn their attention to the blue line with their second consecutive pick. Aitcheson plays an old-school brand of hockey on the blue line, making his presence felt in a big way with his physical style of play. He may not be the most thrilling player offensively at the next level, but did manage a very respectable 59 points in 64 games this season.

13. Detroit Red Wings — Andy’s Pick
    Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)

Victor Eklund fits everything a Detroit Red Wing is and has been. For those reasons, I am tempted to deviate from this choice, as Steve Yzerman is finally feeling the heat after another season without making the postseason, but alas, he will stay the course and take the highly skilled running mate of Anton Frondell. Eklund will be at least two years away from making his NHL debut, but that time for him to physically develop will serve him well.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets — Eric’s Pick
    Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Simply put, Bear plays a playoff brand of hockey that would be a welcomed addition to a Blue Jackets squad on the verge of breaking through to the postseason. While not overly big, he plays bigger than his frame suggests, and being a 40-goal scorer this season, Bear clearly has the finishing touch to complement his nose for the net.

15. Vancouver Canucks — Andy’s Pick
    Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Some think this may be a tad early for Nesbitt, but Vancouver is lacking in identity and having a future face of the franchise. Nesbitt is certainly not NHL ready yet, but his ceiling for a 6-foot-4 center, who is good at the dot and taking on players one-on-one may be precisely what they are looking for. Without being in the top 10 in the draft, going will over skill could be the path the Canucks take, and Nesbitt possesses both intangibles.

16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames) — Eric’s Pick
    Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Yes, he’s from Quebec, but Carbonneau is a perfectly rational pick here for the Habs with their first of back-to-back picks. Carbonneau is an excellent puck handler and is not afraid to use his body to get where he needs to go. He plays a style that would complement the many skilled forwards Montreal already has, and again, being a Quebec native is never a negative for le bleu, blanc et rouge.

17. Montreal Canadiens — Andy’s Pick
    Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)  

Cootes is a hungry player and gets better and better every year. He is fast, tough and plays bigger than his size. He could end up being the next installment of Brendan Gallagher for the Habs. Cootes ultimately could be a third- or fourth-line center when Montreal starts competing for championships.

18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils) — Eric’s Pick
    Ben Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

I promise I’m not just going for the “hometown” picks. Kindel, despite playing in the same building as the Flames, brings a lot to the table. The top draft-eligible scorer in the WHL this season, Kindel is an elusive pivot who plays with pace, something the Flames could certainly use. His dual-threat offensive ability allows him to produce in a variety of ways, as is evidenced by his 99-point campaign.

19. St. Louis Blues — Andy’s Pick
    Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

The Blues will need some better puck-moving defensemen in their future, and the swift-skating, lefthanded Reid may be one of the better ones in this draft class. As with any puck-moving rearguard, size comes into question but at 18, he is 6 feet and already 190 pounds and is very strong on his feet. He has the ceiling of a power play quarterback and would be a solid mid-round pick for St. Louis.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild) — Eric’s Pick
    Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)

Reschny is a cerebral player who reads off his linemates well, taking advantage of his high-end vision and passing abilities to generate scoring chances for his team. These traits should allow him to gel nicely with other skilled players with the Blue Jackets, with the possibility to turn into an effective second- or third-liner.

21. Ottawa Senators — Andy’s Pick
    Milton Gastrin, C, MoDo Hockey (Sweden)

With Gastrin, the Sens get a player that they can use in multiple situations. He projects as a center or winger, is a smooth skater and sees the ice very well. He is not the player who is overly strong in any one area, but very sound fundamentally and a responsible hockey player with a scoring touch. He would make a nice add in Ottawa.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche) — Eric’s Pick
    Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

After scoring a talented forward at 6 in O’Brien, the Flyers add to the blue line with Fiddler, a rangy defenseman with some edge to his game. The son of longtime NHLer Vernon Fiddler, Blake already possesses an NHL frame at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, but moves well for a big man, often using his feet to position himself well to shut down the opposition. He is raw, especially on the offensive side of things, but with further development could become a top-four option.

23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning) — Andy’s Pick
    Logan Hensler, D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

The Preds will go with a defenseman here and the right handed Hensler is one of the better young prospects in college hockey. After a decent first season at the University of Wisconsin, there is ample room for him to grow and improve his game. It may be two more years of Big Ten hockey before Hensler turns pro, but he has plenty of time to develop into a top-four defenseman in the NHL, which is a real possibility.  

24. Los Angeles Kings — Eric’s Pick
    Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

The Kings like size, and while Lakovic certainly offers that at 6-foot-4, he is also arguably the best player available on the board at this point, with some feeling he belongs in the middle of the first round. While his numbers don’t jump off the page like some, he was playing on a rebuilding Moose Jaw team and was relied upon as one of the team’s go-to options as a draft-eligible player. He certainly has notable upside, and the Kings place a bet on Lakovic reaching that potential as a chance-generating winger.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs) — Andy’s Pick
    Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL) 

(OHL Images)

Speed, tenacity, a scoring touch and character, this sounds like the perfect fit for what Kyle Davidson is trying to do in Chicago. And you know who has done well at churning out NHL talent? The University of Michigan. As a Wolverine come August, Spence will be in the ideal setting to work on his game. A two-year plan in Ann Arbor likely, let’s just hope that he makes it to pick 25. If so, it is a great day to be a Hawks fan.

26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks) — Eric’s Pick
    Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

One of two teams with three picks in the first round, Nashville opts to round out the positional trifecta with Ravensbergen after picking Hagens and Hensler with their first two picks. The Predators could certainly use a quality goaltending prospect after questionably moving on from Yaroslav Askarov last summer, and Ravensbergen is a worthy candidate here. He reads plays very well and boasts great size at 6-foot-5. He plays a positionally sound style, which may not be the most exciting, but should set him up for a successful career in the cage. With Juuse Saros in town for the foreseeable future, the Preds can afford to be patient with Ravensbergen as well.

27. Washington Capitals — Andy’s Pick
    William Moore, C/LW, U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL) 

The Caps get creative here and take a two-way center with a ton of upside. Moore could very well fall to day two of the draft, but there is a ton of value getting him at the 27th overall pick. He should slot into the lineup very nicely at Boston College in the fall and could be involved in their power play unit and on their top two lines immediately. He will get great exposure and development playing in the ever-talented Hockey East for the next two seasons.

28. Winnipeg Jets — Eric’s Pick
    Max Psenicka, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

The Jets have a decent crop of young forwards on the way, so looking to the blue line may be the play here. While maybe a little off the board, Psenicka has been a late riser among this year’s crop. At 6-foot-5, he boasts projectable size with the ability to play at a high pace, a great combination if you are hoping to find an impactful rearguard.

29. Carolina Hurricanes — Andy’s Pick
    Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)

As the Hurricanes’ age among defensemen continues to rise, they will use this late pick to get a blue-liner. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Brzustewicz would be a nice add based on his strong two-way game. He put up decent numbers in London and projects as a reliable NHL prospect, without flash but the simplicity of his game will make him incredibly valuable to any franchise.

30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars) — Eric’s Pick
    Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

The Sharks are in need of quality young blue-liners, so going for Boumedienne makes a ton of sense here. An interesting player, Boumedienne was born in Finland but represents Sweden internationally. His U18 showing turned heads, registering 14 points in just seven games. He has projectable size and is an attentive defender. While he may not become a big-time point producer professionally, he has the tools needed to be a serviceable NHL blue-liner.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers) — Andy’s Pick
    Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Moscow (Russia)

The Flyers are in need of goaltending depth in their prospect pool and the end of the first round is a great place to snag the quick-footed Frolov. Time will tell how long it may take him to come to the States, but it certainly worked out well for the Fly-boys and Matvei Michkov, and having a fellow countryman in goal for the youngster could be an added bonus.

32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers) — Eric’s Pick
    Jack Murtagh, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL)

The Flames again add to their forward corps with the final pick of the night. In Murtagh, Calgary gets a player determined to beat the opposition with his feet however possible, whether that be around or through. Murtagh is not afraid to get his hands a little dirty to make things happen offensively, with a willingness to win puck battles along the boards. His style and pace would complement Kindel nicely down the road.

BONUS

34. Chicago Blackhawks — Andy’s Pick
    William Horcoff, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

(Daryl Marshke / Michigan Photography)

Perhaps it is too wishful to think that the Hawks will take two Wolverines back to back, but after the 6-foot-5 Horcoff posted 10 points in a mere 18 games at Michigan in 2024-25, he may be the next best prospect on the board. Great in tight areas and puck winner with a hard shot, Horcoff, son of longtime NHLer Shawn Horcoff, could be a nice complement to Chicago’s center depth in its prospect pool and has the flexibility to play on the wing as well.

The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft begins at 6 p.m. CDT on ESPN. Be sure to tune in to The Rink’s live draft coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. CDT on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

The post The Rink’s 2025 NHL Mock Draft appeared first on The Rink.

It was a big test for both clubs and it was fun to get a look at Chicago Blackhawks prospect and 57th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan Greene, on Friday. Equally as enticing to watch were BU’s highly touted freshman, Cole Eiserman, the New York Islanders’ 20th overall pick in 2024, and Michigan’s Michael Hage, 21st overall to the Montreal Canadiens — both of which some Chicago Blackhawks fans feel General Manager Kyle Davidson unwisely passed over when he picked Sacha Boisvert with the 18th overall pick in June.

Ryan Greene

Let’s start with Greene. What’s to like about Greene’s game that he showcased on Friday is his positioning. He is a center, not one who will be a huge point-producing player at the NHL level, but also not one where there will be questions about if he is a better fit at center or wing. He is a natural pivot, responsible in both ends of the ice, can kill penalties and is on the first-team power-play unit for the Terriers. The BU captain tallied 36 points in 40 games in the 2023–24 season that saw the Terriers reach the Frozen Four. For Greene’s NHL prospectus, his ceiling is likely a third- or fourth-line center whose primary objective is puck control and not to get scored against. Sure, he may be able to chip in offensively at the NHL level, and most bottom-six forwards in the NHL do a lot of scoring in their college years, if they come from the NCAA ranks. Where he struggled a bit on Friday night and through the weekend was in the faceoff circle, particularly in his own zone. That said, this is something that all centers need to focus on, but for Greene, considering how he projects, this could be an integral ingredient to his ultimate success in the NHL. Still, he is a good prospect. He may or may not pan out, but there is a like about him.

Cole Eiserman

This time last year, Eiserman began to drop on draft boards. In June of 2023, he was projected to be a top-two pick in the 2024 draft, potentially even first overall, and then as his season with the U.S. National Development Team progressed, he began sliding as questions around his overall game began to surface. After being picked by the Islanders, some thought Davidson missed his shot to snag this elusive offensive talent and potentially a long-term sidekick for Connor Bedard. Maybe, maybe not, but if you were paying close attention on Friday night to the previous weekend’s Hockey East Player of the Week, you can see why many GMs balked in the first round. Eiserman scored a power-play goal and is an extremely gifted offensive player. When he has the puck, he is absolutely electric. Yet, when he is away from the puck, it is somewhat of an issue. Often on Friday, BU was pinned in their own zone when he was on the ice and three times he was caught out there for a two-plus-minute shift when his team had to ice the puck and he was unable to make a change. For the most part, Michigan had their way with the Terriers at even strength when Eiserman was on the ice. His body language when things were not going how he wanted was also questionable, and with the Wolverines up 2–1 in the third period, he took an unnecessary slashing penalty behind the play, leading to Michigan’s third goal of the night. Now, the story on Eiserman is far from complete and he could go on to be a tremendous NHL talent. He will score a ton at BU and perhaps some day in the NHL. At the same time, when you are bringing a young team along and you notice some red flags, if you can find players where that is not an issue, that is not a bad thing. So, I would not question the passing up on Eiserman by Davidson in the least. 

There are noticeable reasons why Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson elected not to choose the offensively gifted Cole Eiserman with Chicago’s 18th overall pick in the 2024 NHL entry draft. (Photo courtesy of Boston University Athletics)

Michael Hage

The local Chicago Steel product was someone who was very intriguing for the Hawks with the 18th pick and could be a “steal” (pun intended) for the Montreal Canadiens. The teenager is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward and has a strong lower frame. His stride is powerful, hands great in tight, wins draws and can play in all situations. Did the Hawks miss on this one, maybe, but all of that depends on how he and others, including Boisvert, pan out, and we will not know this or be able to judge it for a long time.

Sacha Boisvert, Adam Gajan, Aidan Thompson

On to Boisvert. While I have yet to watch him closely and have only seen a highlight or two, he does have seven points in seven games for North Dakota thus far, which is…well, good, if not great. A real test lies ahead for him in his next four games when North Dakota heads to Minnesota Duluth this weekend for a two-game set and then host the No. 1 Denver Pioneers the following weekend. We will know a lot more about Boivert after seeing that competition. And if you want to check out other Hawks prospects in those tilts, Adam Gajan, the Slovakian netminder taken 35th overall in the 2023 draft, is 3–3 thus far for the UMD Bulldogs with a .900 save percentage. For the Pioneers, Aidan Thompson, 2024 NCAA champion and Chicago’s third-round pick (90th overall) in 2022, is currently leading the country in scoring with six goals and nine assists for the top-ranked Pioneers. The 22-year-old in his third season with DU is a major factor on their club this season.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect and 2024 first-round pick (18th overall) Sacha Boisvert has produced at a point-per-game rate in his first seven games at the University of North Dakota. (Photo courtesy of Grand Forks Herald)

The Blackhawks have a number of players worth checking out in the NCAA ranks and these are but a few, but for those wondering if Davidson has been meticulous for who he has and has not chosen to draft, evidence suggests he has been doing his homework. As always with some prospects taken late in the first round and later, some will work out and some will not, but the Hawks’ pool of prospects is solid and deep, particularly in the NCAA ranks.

The post Blackhawks prospect analysis: A night at Agganis Arena appeared first on The Rink.

The Avalanche have a rather bare cupboard with prospects, ranking as the 26th best pool of talent in The NHL, but we break them down into three tiers:

“2024 Call-ups”- these are players who are first in line to see NHL action this season, be that because of injury or to earning a place in the middle-six from a strong training camp.

“Starting Eagles”- these players can expect to gain seasoning and pro-experience in Loveland at the AHL level this season, but could become an option if the injury bug bites in Denver, or a trade makes room for depth.

“Long shots” are the players who will only step on the Ball Arena ice if the roster is decimated or the prospects in tiers above them experience setbacks.

This article will detail the highest tier of Avalanche prospects who you should see alongside Cale Makar in Denver this season.

Without further ado, let’s dig into the players I expect to see lacing up in the pros this year.

2024 Call-ups

Calum Ritchie (FWD), Drafted in 2023, 1st round, 27th overall

All the major buzz around up-and-coming Avalanche skaters starts with the unreal production of late first-round pick Calum Ritchie. Last year for the Oshawa Generals, Ritchie produced 80 points in just 50 games, including 28 goals, and added 30 additional points in 21 playoff games. Many NHL scouts mentioned Ritchie might have been an early pick if not for the injury that robbed him of his draft window, and those scouts look very smart right about now.

Ritchie has been working in Denver all summer, and his elite-hands and separation ability on the offensive project favorably into becoming a top-six forward for the Avalanche. Will it be this year? General Manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar have a long track-record of being very conservative with young talent. The organization prefers veteran players with lower ceilings to potential stars with lower floors. The specifics of Ritchie’s eligibility complicate things further, particularly because the CHL-NHL transfer agreement prevents him from being assigned to the Colorado Eagles at this stage. It’s NHL or back to juniors in Oshawa for Ritchie.

The @Oshawa_Generals FINALLY solve Sam Hillebrandt @Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie finds the back of the net in Barrie, deflecting Luca D'Amato's shot to open the scoring in Game 6 #OHLPlayoffs | #OSHvsBAR | #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RxesKiyGCd

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 7, 2024

Ritchie has made it clear he intends to battle for a roster spot in this year’s camp. If he looks as good in pre-season as he has lately, then I expect a team missing Gabriel Landeskog will have no choice but to give the kid a shot.

Nikolai Kovalenko (RW/LW) Drafted in 2018, 6th round, 171st overall

Nikolai Kovalenko is on this list as a formality.

Kovalenko got limited opportunity in two playoff games after not playing in the regular season for Colorado once. The expectation is that Kovalenko will be a regular presence in the lineup out of training camp and could be as high as the second line, depending on his production. Despite only being 5’10” Kovalenko has a bulldog reputation for throwing big checks and battling for loose pucks. The organization hopes that he has the upside of a younger Artturi Lehkonen this year with the potential to be a Logan O’Connor replacement should he price himself out of the Avalanche cap situation when his contract expires at season’s end.

Kovalenko’s first with the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/5gKs3MkBJN

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) April 21, 2024

Jean-Luc Foudy (C/RW) Drafted in 2020, 3rd round, 75th overall

This is the make or break year for Jean-Luc Foudy as an NHL starter. We have seen limited samples of Foudy in the past two seasons because of injury and the upside is plain to see. His skating is nothing less than elite, and he has an impressive work-ethic that should slot him in perfectly into a locker-room tone set by Nathan MacKinnon. The problem for Foudy, and why we haven’t seen him yet, is twofold.

First, and most importantly, Foudy just hasn’t stayed healthy. Foudy only played 26 games with the Eagles (four with the Avalanche) in the last season following his second major injury in a young career. Being able to keep his body healthy for an 82 game season isn’t entirely in his control, but be it is a matter of luck or conditioning. Health has been a major factor in his slower development.

The second is his hands. Hand-eye coordination is among the most desirable skills in hockey, particularly if we are talking about a top-six offensive skater. Foudy has no trouble carrying the puck because of his skating ability, but the shot and playmaking from the center hasn’t always been there consistently. Fourteen points in 26 games, just four goals, is decent production as part of a rehab stint in the AHL. But that isn’t the developmental production that gets you a call-up on a team as deep as the Avalanche.

Foudy has two real pathways this year that could be successful. He either has a strong camp and earns his way onto the starting roster, then starts strong to keep his spot as Landeskog, Lehkonen, and others return from injury. Or, he continues to show promising but not quite ready production and is among the obvious pieces the Avalanche look to move for a veteran impact player at the trade deadline while they chase another cup.

Jean-Luc Foudy scores his first NHL goal, pushing Colorado's lead to 5!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/IzOHAQeXKJ

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 7, 2024

The third option, of course, is that he continues to be a good for the Eagles, but is never a great Avalanche. I hope it’s one of the first two.

Honorable mention: Justus Annunen (G) Drafted 2018 3rd round 64th overall

Some still consider Justus Annunen a prospect, but given that during the off-season he signed a one-way contract extension and is cut out as the back-up if not 1B tandem starter for the Avalanche this year. Annunen is a NHLer, and judging by last year the best goalie on the Avalanche NHL roster.

That is it for the top tier! Next week, we will have the “Starting Eagles” tier headlined by Oskar Olausson, Sam Malinski, and Ivan Ivan.

The post Avalanche prospects you will see in 2024 Part 1 appeared first on The Rink.

There were many challenges along the way. Not only would Carle be starting seven freshmen at one time. Even the starting goaltender, Matt Davis, would be out with an injury for nine games. This would allow freshman Freddie Halyk to step in and take the role for a short time. The Colorado Avalanche even invited Davis to their development camp over the summer. “He played well and I think obviously his performance turned a lot of heads at the Frozen Four and through the end of our season,” Carle said. “So great for him.”

Team USA

While the season was in a full run, Carle would leave the squad for the honor of being the head coach of Team USA in the World Junior Championships. And 20 years after his brother Matt won it, head coach Carle would win it himself.

“I think we won six now, since that first one,” Carle said about the program. “And so the growth of the game in our country is because of expansion by the NHL in the western and southern markets. The player count of players playing in the USA, playing in the United States is highest of any country in the world, and so I think just to be a part of that, I just envisioned myself as a kid from Alaska, and to have an opportunity to represent our country on that stage. It’s as good as it gets for a hockey player, and just really proud of the guys that we were able to come together and win a championship for our country.”

Working together

In the past years, the Avalanche and Pioneers have reached an understanding. With players like Paul Stastny, Logan O’Connor and now Sean Behrens, all going from DU to the Avalanche. “I’m not sure if it’s strategic or planned by any way, but I think it’s certainly good to be aligned,” Carle said. “And we love the relationship that we’ve had with them obviously, going back to Paul and then into Logan and now Sean Behrens and Tory [Pitner] and Jake [Fisher] drafted by them this summer. It’s a great opportunity to continue that relationship.” Carle was a coach at last year’s development camp. The hockey highway connection continues to be strong.

Conclusion

The Pioneers will look to defend the national championship in a strong NCHC conference this season. The Pioneers will carry a bigger target on their back. Every team has improved and Carle thinks that North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth and Colorado College have even gotten better. Either way, DU looks to add to the trophy case next spring and bring everyone some exciting hockey along the way.

The post Coach Carle talks of success and the road ahead. appeared first on The Rink.

1. San Jose Sharks — Andy’s Pick 

Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)

When the Sharks won the lottery, this was a done deal. Winning the Hobey Baker Award as a 17- year-old when college hockey has never been better is a heck of a feat. There is still a real possibility that he returns to BU for an additional year of development, but nevertheless, this is the consensus No. 1 overall pick and for good reason. The kid has all the tools.

The Sharks are expected to take the slam-dunk top prospect in Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. (Photo courtesy of Boston University)

2. Chicago Blackhawks — Eric’s Pick 

Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)

The Hawks have another opportunity to add a franchise cornerstone and turn to the blue line this time to land their top-pair right-handed defenseman of the future. Levshunov boasts an impressive tool kit of skating, playmaking and physicality in an NHL-sized frame. As a true freshman at Michigan State, Levshunov was the No. 1 defenseman for a strong Sparty squad, playing huge minutes in all roles. While already having Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic as top-four options for the future, Chicago lacks a projectable stud all-around defenseman in its rebuild and checks that box in a meaningful way with the Belarusian.

Side note: I had every intention of providing some draft analysis leading up to the draft about potential options for the Blackhawks, but frankly, with how thoroughly exhausting the endless vitriol among Blackhawks fans online has been regarding the pick, it ultimately was not worth my sanity to write pieces that would inevitably fall on deaf ears. The fact of the matter is, whether the Blackhawks select Levshunov or Ivan Demidov (or surprise and choose someone else), the draftee will be a foundational piece to the franchise moving forward, and that is undoubtedly something to celebrate, regardless of who it is. Be happy, Blackhawks fans. The front office knows far more than you do.

The Blackhawks opt for defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State University)

3. Anaheim Ducks — Andy’s Pick 

Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)

This could be Ivan Demidov or Cayden Lindstrom as well, but with the talent-rich offensive prospect pool the Ducks have, so much so that they may be shopping Trever Zegras, they will go with a defenseman here. Dickinson has tremendous versatility, offensive output and a lunch-pail style, put your hard hat on and go to work that would blend in well with Mason McTavish and what the Ducks are trying to build culturally. Anton Silayev is a strong possibility here, too, but Dickinson could be the best fit.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Eric’s Pick 

Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Columbus landed a huge building block in Adam Fantilli last summer and return to the well of big pivots again by selecting Lindstrom. Though Lindstrom battled injury concerns throughout the season, he boasts a tantalizing skill set and large frame. With Fantilli penciled in as the No. 1 center for the future, Lindstrom can slide in nicely as the No. 2 center to give the Blue Jackets a 1-2 punch down the middle sure to make many franchises jealous.

5. Montreal Canadiens — Andy’s Pick 

Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA-1946 (Russia)

The Habs would be thrilled if Demidov slides to 5 and this would be a no-brainer. After taking David Reinbacher with the fifth overall pick in 2023, they will turn to offense, and who better than perhaps the highest rated pure offensive talent in the draft after Celebrini. Though, to be fair, it would be entertaining to see Habs fans’ reactions should Montreal look elsewhere.

6. Utah Hockey Club — Eric’s Pick 

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

One of this year’s biggest risers late in the season, Sennecke gives Utah a highly talented winger who can perform on the biggest stage. Though Utah could instead look to one of the high-end defensemen still available, the combination of size and skill Sennecke offers is too much to pass on, betting on his steep trajectory to continue.

7. Ottawa Senators — Andy’s Pick 

Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)

The Senators are at a crossroads, have so many needs and could pick a defenseman here, too, but Iginla’s stock continues to rise and it does not have to do with his last name. He is impactful in so many areas and plays a controlled game, something that Ottawa needs badly. 

8. Seattle Kraken — Eric’s Pick 

Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA)

With the center position comfortably addressed with Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, the Kraken can take advantage of a strong blue line class and opt for Buium, a talented offensive defenseman with plenty of moxy. Buium has been a winner at every level in his career, winning U18 and U20 world championships and the NCAA title with Denver this spring. Wherever he lands, Buium should become a fan favorite on and off the ice.

9. Calgary Flames — Andy’s Pick 

Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)

Perhaps the most offensively skilled defenseman in the draft, and if available, there is little chance Calgary can pass up on him at 9. They certainly need help on the blue line and this would be a great fit, especially if the “hometown kid” is already off the board.

10. New Jersey Devils — Eric’s Pick 

Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

The Devils opt for the massive Russian defenseman to firmly round out what should be an incredible top four for many years to come alongside Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey. Silayev can skate like the wind for a big guy and provides a strong shutdown game to go along with decent offensive upside. It is entirely possible Silayev is gone long before 10, but if he slips to this range, any team would be thrilled to land him.

11. Buffalo Sabres — Andy’s Pick 

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

Corey Pronman has Catton rated as the second-best forward in the draft, and why not? With 54 goals and 116 points with Spokane in 2023–24, there is no doubting his talent. He is not heavy and perhaps that is why he will drop this low, but regardless, Buffalo gets a real potential game breaker here.

12. Philadelphia Flyers — Eric’s Pick 

Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary (WHL)

The last of the top-end defensemen in the class, the Flyers add a high-end offensive defenseman in Yakemchuk, who hit the 30-goal plateau in the WHL. Add in a bit of bite in his game and he feels like a player Flyers fans will rally around for years to come.

13. Minnesota Wild — Andy’s Pick 

Konsta Helenius, C, Tappara (Finland)

A well-disciplined hockey player, this feels like a Minnesota pick. The Wild still have decent talent and will not need to rush Helenius. He will have time to develop and could turn out to be a solid pivot for their future, something they could certainly use.

14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Eric’s Pick 

Stian Solberg, D, Oslo (Norway)

After choosing Celebrini to begin the night, the Sharks can turn their attention to the blue line, an area they desperately need help in. They opt for Solberg, one of the draft’s biggest late risers, who provides a menacing physical game on the blue line.

15. Detroit Red Wings — Andy’s Pick 

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Sweden)

All signs see Brendsegg-Nygard landing in Detroit if he is still available. He is gifted offensively and responsible in his own end of the ice; a vintage Red Wing trait that they would love to work with and develop. Playing in Sweden never hurts your cause as a Red Wings target, either.

16. St. Louis Blues — Eric’s Pick 

Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czechia)

The Blues choose to add another blueliner to the organization after selecting Theo Lindstein with one of their first-round picks last year. Jiricek missed significant time with injury this season, but the Blues bet on the upside that had him considered as a lock for the top 10 entering the season.

17. Washington Capitals — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

At this point last year, many people thought Eiserman was a top-two pick in this year’s draft. Questions have arisen as to whether or not he can play in all areas of the ice. Still, he is a gifted offensive talent with an incredible shot. He will be a critical part of Boston University’s success next year and is still a talented prospect who filled the net with the NTDP unlike anyone has before.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) — Eric’s Pick 

Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)

After picking Levshunov at 2, the Blackhawks turn their attention to the forwards available at 18 and opt for Boisvert, a well-rounded center who offers goal-scoring ability and a physical edge the Hawks are lacking in their prospect pool. Boisvert’s size also allows him to comfortably project as a center at the NHL level, something the Blackhawks could use given the uncertainty of Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar being long-term center options.

Chicago selects gritty forward Sacha Boisvert with the 18th overall pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of the Muskegon Lumberjacks)

19. Vegas Golden Knights — Andy’s Pick 

EJ Emery, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

The Golden Knights’ defensive core is aging and Emery fits the mold of what they can use moving forward. The North Dakota commit plays a hard-nosed defensive game that is not fun to play against. As the Knights get older, he would be coming in at the right time and provide the yin to Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin’s yang.

20. New York Islanders (from CHI via TBL) — Eric’s Pick 

Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL)

The Islanders go with the talented Hage at 20, a player who can add offensive pop to an organization known for its defensive acumen. New York is probably thrilled to get Hage at 20 after trading down from 18, as he would have likely been in consideration for them had they stood pat.

21. Los Angeles Kings — Andy’s Pick 

Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

Chernyshov plays the length of the ice and is always around the puck. Big and strong and a decent skater, he found success in the KHL and ultimately could be a goal-scoring threat in the NHL in a power forward mold.

22. Nashville Predators — Eric’s Pick

Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

Barry Trotz looks past Connelly’s troubling off-ice past and bets on the offensive upside that would have comfortably put Connelly in the 10–15 range if not for the character concerns. Good luck, Nashville. Hopefully it works out, or not.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)

A strong, physical center who plays a power game is everything that is lacking down the middle for the Leafs. Most of the Leaf core will still be intact by the time Beaudoin will be ready and he can simplify his development with a lot of talent around him. This would be a solid pick for Leaf nation. 

24. Colorado Avalanche — Eric’s Pick 

Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL)

The Avs are in the advantageous spot of being able to focus on taking the best player available, and Luchanko fits that bill at 24. A skilled pivot with good offensive instincts, Luchanko’s top-end speed game would mesh well with a Colorado team known for playing with pace.

The Avs take skilled forward Jett Luchanko with the 24th pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of Luke Durga / OHL Images)

25. Boston Bruins (from OTT via DET via BOS) — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Hutson, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 

The Bruins love their in-town talent and another Boston University product could be the take here. Like a Torey Krug or Matt Grzelcyk, the Bruins have a good history of developing defensemen who are not blessed with size. Hutson being right down the road is a plus, and let’s be honest, it would certainly make for an interesting storyline with older brother Lane already in Montreal.

26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) — Eric’s Pick 

Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)

Montreal giddily takes the stage to take Greentree, a player who very well may be gone multiple picks ahead of this spot. Greentree gives the Habs a big-bodied winger to add to their forward group, something they could certainly use to complement Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and now Ivan Demidov.

27. Carolina Hurricanes — Andy’s Pick 

Leo Sahlin-Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20 (Sweden) 

One of the better skaters in the draft, Sahlin-Wallenius plays a safe and responsible game. He has good stamina, and while not overwhelmingly dynamic in any one area, he is a consistent hockey player who could eventually be in the 4–6 range on a defensive depth chart.

28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) — Eric’s Pick 

Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL)

The Flames stay close to home for their second pick of the first round, taking Parascak out of the WHL. Parascak gives the Flames a scoring threat for their prospect pool, something Calgary could certainly use more of as it looks like the turning of the chapter in Cow Town.

29. Dallas Stars — Andy’s Pick 

Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)

Freij comes with an offensive game and puck-moving ability. He is yet another smooth-skating defenseman from Sweden who will need to refine his defensive habits, but with his offensive form and blue-line depth in Dallas, he could be very intriguing for the Stars’ brass.

30. New York Rangers — Eric’s Pick 

Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s (PHC)

Letourneau just feels like the easy pick here. The Rangers love their massive forwards, and with a solid team already in place, New York can afford to be patient with Letourneau and hope he is able to develop into a valuable NHL piece.

31. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) — Andy’s Pick 

Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Finland)

A large body with offensive upside who could be a good puck-winning player for the young Ducks core. He will need to work on his skating and creativity with the puck, but there is potential in his game. He will be a late first- or early second-round pick.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA) — Eric’s Pick 

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Philly returns to the Russian well in selecting Artamonov, a player who some feel should be chosen much higher. By bringing over Matvei Michkov, the theoretical Russian factor should feel diminished for the Flyers, so they bet on Artamonov’s upside to close out the first round.

The first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft will begin at 7 p.m. EDT on Friday and will be broadcasted on ESPN and Sportsnet.

The post The Rink’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft first-round mock draft appeared first on The Rink.

The basics

Score: Denver 3, Omaha 4

Location: Denver

Records: Denver (8–3–1), Omaha (6–3–1)

How it happened

— There was no scoring by either team after a rough-and-tumble first period. Denver led Omaha in shots on goal 9–6. However, when the players came out after the first intermission, the ice behind Pioneer net was in horrible condition. After a lengthy delay, it was determined that the ice was unsafe for the players and officials and the game was suspended to Sunday with an undetermined time. 

— Just over a minute into the restart, Denver attempted to clear the puck out of the zone unsuccessfully. Omaha pushed it down to the corner, where Jimmy Glynn carried the puck out and sent it to the front of the crease for Matt Miller to finish the job for a 1–0 Omaha lead. 

— Roughly three minutes later, Cale Ashcroft gathered the puck for Denver to start a breakout behind their own net. Omaha’s forecheck was relentless at this point, and Brock Bremer stole the puck from Ashcroft. Bremer tossed it to Jesse Lansdell, who dribbled it in front of the net, teasing Freddie Halyk. Lansdell passed it between the lags to Ty Mueller and he finished the job to make it 2–0.

— Just over halfway through the second period, a face-off forced the puck down into the Denver zone. Carter Kink led the breakout and gave a leading pass up to Jared Wright in the middle of the ice. Wright whipped a beautiful backhand shot of the goalie to get the Pioneers on the board at 2–1.

— Five minutes later, Denver was killing off a penalty. Omaha tried to enter the Denver zone but miffed on the pass. Rieger Lorenz took off down the ice to find the back of the net for his first career shorthanded goal, knotting the score at 2–2. 

— With just two minutes left in the second, Omaha won a face-off in the Denver zone. Tanner Ludtke gathered the puck at the top of the slot and threw a snap shot on net past Halyk to restore Omaha’s lead at 3–2. 

— The final nail in the coffin came with only five seconds left in the second period. Omaha dumped the puck in to chase it down and collect it behind the Pioneers’ net. It was thrown out to Lansdell for the wrister, but stopped in front. As the puck lay in the crease, Joaquim Lemay drove the net and slapped it in to make it 4–2.

— The last goal of the day came early in the third from the Pioneers. Miko Mitkka drove down the far side and toward the net to force it past the goalie for the final of 4–3. 

DU leaders

Goals: Wright (1), Lorenz (1), Matikka (1)

Assists: King (1), Z. Buium (1), Broz (1), S. Buium (1)

Points: Wright (1), Lorenz (1), Matikka (1),  King (1), Z. Buium (1), Broz (1), S. Buium (1)

Up next

The Denver Pioneers will continue their homestand over the Thanksgiving holiday with a two-game set against Ivy League Yale University. The Bulldogs will come into Magness Arena with a challenge ahead of them as their record is 1–4.

Highlights

Due to ice conditions, tonight’s game is suspended. The game will resume tomorrow at a time to be announced.

Tickets from tonight will be valid for tomorrow’s game or can be exchanged to a future game.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 19, 2023

Jared Wright takes the breakout pass from Carter King and shoots it high glove to make it 2-1 Omaha #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/RC7NEEUiMs

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 19, 2023

Rieger Lorenz steals the puck in his own zone and takes off for the shorty! Tied at 2! #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/xZNPHHhaC5

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 19, 2023

Miko Matikka just tucks it past the goalie's pads to make it a 4-3 game.

He extends his goal streak to five games–tied for the longest of the season by a Pioneer. pic.twitter.com/xElEfLxYbd

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 19, 2023

The post Denver falls 4–3 after 16-hour delay appeared first on The Rink.

The basics

Score: Denver 8, Omaha 4

Location: Denver

Records: Denver (8–2–1), Omaha (5–3–1)

How it happened

— Less than six minutes into the game, Omaha dealt the opening punch on Freddie Halyk. Ray Fust would receive the pass from Joaquim Lemay in the slot and snap it high glove side to make it 1–0.

— Only a minute later, Tristan Broz would storm down the middle of the ice and drop it for Colorado Avalanche prospect Sean Behrens. He would nail a one-timer to tie up the game.

— Ty Mueller barreled down the slot around Cale Ashcroft and backhanded it over the shoulder of Halyk to restore the Omaha lead.

— While on a five-minute power play, Denver cycled the puck and Zeev Buium snapped it in from the blue line to tie it at 2–2.

— Shai Buium nailed a nasty one-timer from the right face-off circle with the help of brother Zeev to put the Pioneers ahead 3–2. 

— Almost seven minutes into the second, Carter King would gain possession in the offensive zone and toss the puck to Rieger Lorenz in front of the net. Lorenz whipped a sweet backhand shot in for the two-goal lead.

— With 8:30 left in the second, captain Webster MacKade followed a shot down the middle by Massimo Rizzo to put Denver ahead by three.

— The last goal in the second was scored by Miko Matikka, as he received a pass from King and then sent it bar down to put the Pios up by four.

— Early in the third, Omaha’s Brock Bremer would be set up in front of the net to whip it past Halyk and close the gap to 6–3. 

— During 4-on-4 play in the third period, Rizzo would steal an over-skated puck and take off, leading to a breakaway. Boston Buckberger would get the shot on net to allow for a redirect by Lorenz for a 7–3 Denver lead.

— Just over halfway through the third, Matt Miller planted himself in front of the net and redirected the shot in on the glove side of Freddie Halyk to trim the margin to 7–4.

— Buckberger ran the puck behind the net with under three minutes left to find Connor Caponi in front and the perfect pass for Denver’s eighth and final goal of the night. 

DU leaders

Goals: Lorenz (2), Behrens (1), Webster (1), Z. Buium (1), S. Buium (1), Matikka (1), Caponi (1)

Assists: Z. Buium (2), Buckberger (2), Rizzo (2), King (2), Broz (2), Behrens (1), S. Buium (1), Matikka (1), Thompson (1), Wright (1)

Up next

Denver will finish the two-game set against Omaha tonight at Magness in Denver.

Highlights

Sean Behrens' (COL) goal from earlier while the https://t.co/zlsagJ34N1 stream was down and out pic.twitter.com/IyIWtEVyIg

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) November 18, 2023

Rieger Lorenz with a sweet backhand shot right in front to take a two goal lead in the 2nd #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/wJLYZ3JLkx

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023

An overskated puck leads to a breakaway by Massimo Rizzo and then a redirect by Rieger Lorenz. Pios up 7-3 #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/qV2sy8mTii

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023

Boston Buckberger takes it down low to feed Connor Caponi right in front of the net for the Pios' 8th goal of the night. #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/8ZXzQWXtWQ

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023

The post Denver dominates Omaha 8–4 appeared first on The Rink.

“It’s a great thing for our fans that we get to play them four times every year,” coach David Carle said. “Their program is on the rise, they’ve done an excellent job with their new staff and recruiting and are becoming more competitive and play more of a 200-foot game, making life harder on us. So we expect a really good battle this weekend.”

In the NCHC playoffs, Colorado College secured a close victory against their opponent. But every game last season was a “tightly contested game,” as Carle put it.

The Pioneers played a split series last weekend against a fierce Augustana University and another against in-state rival, Air Force. While Denver got ahead in the game against the Vikings, Augustana fought hard to earn a tie. Air Force, on the on the other hand, saw all of the corrections from the night before and freshman goaltender Freddie Halyk. The Pioneers came out in the end with a shutout 4–0.

“It certainly feels like they are closing the gap within the rivalry and we expect nothing different this year,” Carle told the media on Wednesday.

Freshman Boston Buckberger, who was just named conference rookie of the month, hopes a victory is in play for this weekend.

Buckberger has nothing but steller since coming to Denver. He has racked up seven points in only six games with the Pioneers, claiming all the credit goes to his teammates.

“Just to hold it up, hopefully,” Buckberger said with a smile. “I actually don’t even know exactly what it looks like. But hopefully I get that in our possession pretty quick here.”

Senior McKade Webster has a lot of experience with the series himself.

“It’s a big deal,” Webster said. “Especially for our young guys that have never participated in this event and won a Gold Pan before. So for them just understanding what it means for our program going forward, it’s a big deal. It is the first trophy that we can win this weekend if we get a sweep, so that’s what we are looking to do.”

The hallways were filled with excitement from the players and staff. Not a nervous energy, but a confident energy. The Pioneers, with a 4–1–1 record, are ranked No. 2 in the nation, so they have reason to be confident. Colorado College may be a little more of a challenge than previous opponents, as they boast a 5–1–0 record, losing only to Augustana. Expect a fierce battle with the state’s top team prevailing.

Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT, with Saturday’s tilt scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT.

The post The Gold Pan rivalry lives on this weekend appeared first on The Rink.

First period

The Pioneers scored two quick goals in under five minutes to start the period. The first from Boston Buckberger and the second from Rieger Lorenz. Five minutes later, Jack Devine nailed his sixth goal of the year right off of the face-off. An aggressive offense for Denver led to some quick chances but also led to defensive breakdowns on the other end in front of Matt Davis. The Augustana Vikings would rush the zone and score a bloop goal that went through Davis. In the waning moments of the period, Hunter Bischoff‘s shot found the back of the net, making it 3–2.

Second period

Both the Vikings and the Pioneers would tighten up their defense in the period. This hindered both sides from advancing into each other’s zone and creating more opportunities. The period was an unresolved battle, except for the goalies.

Third period and overtime

Denver extended its lead to 4–2 with a goal from Kieran Cebrian, assisted by Devine. However, the Vikings showed resilience and scored two goals in 20 seconds, bringing the game to a tie at 4–4. Massimo Rizzo scored from the slot to regain the lead 5–4. Then with 28.8 seconds left and on the power play with their goalie pulled, Chase Brand scored for the Vikings to tie it back up at 5–5 and send the game to extra time. The Pioneers could not capitalize on their promising overtime performance, and the game ended in a 5–5 tie.

Analysis

Friday night’s tie showed some gaps in the defensive game for the Pioneers and their young defensive core.

“Closing plays quicker, getting out of our zone cleaner,” coach David Carle said of the 5-on-5 game. “Managing pucks comes with that. A lot of their transition offense came from us turning pucks over. You have to give them credit. They were coming into our building trying to have their marquee moment, and they did. That’s embarrassing for us in that we allowed that to happen, but we also give credit to our opponent, who was very well prepared and did an excellent job and earned everything tonight as well. We were not ready to the play to the level we needed to for a full 60 minutes. After we went up (2–0), I think we thought it was going to be easy, and give them credit, they didn’t go away. They continued to come and were able to execute and take advantage of our looseness with our puck management and with our rush D and our D-zone coverage.”

If Denver can play a better defensive game, Davis will not have to work as hard to protect the lead for them. The offense is there for sure, now they need to fix the back end.

The post Pioneers tie in home opener appeared first on The Rink.

“Pretty cool honor, obviously,” Buckberger said. “And we had a couple other guys we’ve got made it easy and played well this weekend.”

The Canadian started his junior hockey career in the last place that you think of hockey. He played for the Lincoln Stars, as in Lincoln, Nebraska, a team that is part of the United States Hockey League. Some alumni include David Backes, Erik Condra, Ryan Dzingel and Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bollig.

Buckberger saw some success in his one year in the Cornhusker State with 45 points in 62 games.

“I’d say just teammates, coaches and the relationships we built early in the year (helped with my success),” Buckberger said of his time with the Stars. “They ended up being great, and we got so close to each other. And I think just having trust in my teammates, and my coaches trusting me to put you in certain situations and stuff allowed me to have tons of success there.”

He even attended a Nebraska Huskers game and became an immediate fan.

“I think I immediately became a fan,” Buckberger said. “It was 90,000 people, the game was 48–45 and right down to the wire. They lost, I was for sure a Husker fan and hopefully I can go back one day and I’ll do another game.”

Boston initially committed to the University of Wisconsin. The coaching staff experienced a turnover, resulting in the release of Tony Granato, former head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, in early March. Buckberger switched his commitment to Denver right away.

“I just knew that Denver would be a great spot for me as I was recruited by them a couple of years back when I was recruited by Wisconsin as well,” Buckberger said. “And just having the relationships with DC (David Carle) and the assistants, it just made everything like a smooth transition and like it was a no-brainer for me.”

Buckberger spoke highly of his brief time in Colorado.

“The city is awesome,” Buckberger said. “The proximity to the mountains, it’s pretty cool. I’ve been able to go and do some sightseeing and stuff and I’ve been to a Broncos game, downtown a bit and Rockies games and I think the culture around Denver is pretty cool. It is a sports town. As far as on campus goes, the classes are good. And with a lot of teammates, that makes it a lot easier. And I think just the busy schedule suits me.”

As far as telling young defensemen coming behind him, Buckberger encouraged sticking to what a player does well.

“Just play your game,” Buckberger said. “Be honest all over the ice. Play a 200-foot game because we emphasize so much defense here and our defensive skills, our transition and offense. So just take ownership everywhere on the ice and never be a real stranger.”

Buckberger credits the early-season success to the team clicking right away. With new members, this team can grow together for a couple of seasons. The team will be even more dangerous once they further develop chemistry, relying less on talking on the ice.

The post DU’s Buckberger happy he chose Denver appeared first on The Rink.

“I think every year I’ve been here we have had a special team, and I think our team this year is also a special group and that’s the goal every year is to win a national championship,” Devine said about winning the NCAA title in 2022. “So, for me, it was an extreme blessing to do that back in my freshman year. And I think it’s something that all of us are hungry for to do again.”

Devine was involved in both the 2022 and 2017 championships, as he was present in the stands for the Pioneer win over Minnesota-Duluth in 2017. It was at that moment he decided he wanted to attend the University of Denver and help defend their eight titles.

He desired to attend one of the best hockey schools in the nation for various reasons.

“You can tell from the first time I was here that there’s emphasis on winning,” Devine said. “There’s an emphasis on trying to win a championship every year. Another big thing for me was the coaching staff. The coaching staff when I was getting recruited, they were awesome, and even now, like the things they told me about how important development is, how important developing both as a hockey player and a person, that has really been important to me. And I think lastly, it’s both a great academic and athletic program and that was something that was very important to me.”

Devine has started the year out hot, stacking up four goals and two assists in just two games against Alaska-Fairbanks.

He shot an amazing 80% over the opening weekend and worked top-line minutes. At one point, Devine would have the first Pioneer hat trick of the season, but it was later changed to an assist after a tip from McKade Webster.

Jack Devine tallies his 2nd marker of the game as the Pioneers convert on a 5-on-3.

DU 4 | UAF 1 | 8:27 2nd#GoPios pic.twitter.com/au8L5sLTUr

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) October 9, 2023

“I think all the credit is to my teammates,” Devine said about the opening weekend. “I think for a weekend like that, you’re just going in and focusing on getting two wins. And I think for me, it was just trying to do anything I can to help our team win. So obviously it’s nice to be successful there. And I think my teammates helped contribute to that and put me in a good position.”

Devine participated in the Florida Panthers’ development camp for the first time in his young career. He could join all the Panthers’ prospects in drills and get tips from the NHL coaching staff.

“You’re just trying to take tidbits and take little things you can learn,” Devine said about the camp. “I think you try to take anything you can learn here to be successful in the season now.”

Everything that Devine has done in the last two years has been to the benefit of his teammates. But he insists that his success is because of them.

He is a hardworking young man who strives to be the best at everything he has done so far. You are going to want to monitor Jack Devine; this kid is going places.

The post DU’s Jack Devine credits teammates for his success appeared first on The Rink.

Game One Observations

• Jack Devine (FLA prospect) will be a scoring leader on the team this season. Netting two goals in game one, Devine has a quick snap shot with some deception to it.
• Kent Anderson, a defenseman, used his powerful wrist shot to have a successful offensive game and earn his first multi-point game.
• Goaltender Matt Davis had his first career opening night start. He was staring post-to-post and has a quick glove.

Game two was a different tale to start. The Nanooks’ strategy to congest the neutral zone against the Pioneers was effective. Until the second period, when they accrued a bunch of penalty minutes. Alaska started off the scoring once again and Denver scored five unanswered. They scored two goals with a man advantage and one was shorthanded. The final for game two would be only 5-2 with Denver walking away with their second victory of the weekend.

Game Two Observations

• Denver has a problem with their neutral zone play. If the opposition stacks their defense, it slows down the Pioneers.
• DU is dangerous on the power play as they can strike from any direction. It is like the Colorado Avalanche power play.
• The Pioneers are skilled at moving the puck in any situation. Their offense and defense have no issues communicating and can move the puck once they get momentum.

Conclusion

Experts chose Denver before the season as the NCHC Division Champions and I can see why. They dealt with any challenges this weekend effortlessly. Despite their youth, they played impressively on the ice this weekend. They possess a fearsome ability to play with grit, aggression, and speed simultaneously.

The post DU sweeps opening weekend against Alaska-Fairbanks appeared first on The Rink.

1) Chicago Blackhawks 

Andy’s Pick: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)

Nothing to overthink here, folks. He is the No. 1 prospect in the world, a potential generational talent and no amount of click bait you can read will make Kyle Davidson decide to move this pick. It just ain’t gonna happen. No. 98 will be flying off the shelves in a red, white and black jersey come Wednesday night.

2) Anaheim Ducks  

Eric’s Pick: Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Like the first pick, there is no need for Anaheim to overthink this one. Fantilli offers everything you could want in a prospect with his size, speed, skill, and compete level. While many in the industry are wondering if the Ducks look elsewhere, they stick to the script here and take the future star pivot.

3) Columbus Blue Jackets  

Andy’s Pick: Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK (SHL)

This is where things could begin to get interesting. No. 3 may be where people start to wonder when Matvei Michkov’s name will be called, but a year ago, the Blue Jackets signed Johnny Gaudreau, only to have a dismal 2022–23 campaign, finishing second last in the NHL. Waiting on Michkov for a few years may not be something Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen can see through. Carlsson has all the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 center in the NHL. At 6-foot-3 with speed and terrific skill set, though he may head back to Sweden for another year or two, by the fall of 2025 at the latest, he’ll be ready to be an impact player for the Jackets.

4) San Jose Sharks 

Eric’s Pick: William Smith, C, U.S. National Team Development Program

While the Sharks could certainly consider Michkov here, I think Mike Grier opts for a safer option in Smith, an uber-creative centerman. San Jose is starving for high-end talent, and landing a player like Smith will go a long way for their rebuild.

5) Montreal Canadiens  

Andy’s Pick: Ryan Leonard, RW, U.S. National Team Development Program 

Tough call for Director of Scouting Nick Bobrov and General Manager Kent Hughes with Michkov still here, but with Leonard they get a hard-nosed player who buzzes around, is unafraid to go in the gray areas and win pucks and plays with an edge. It is certainly a player of need up front for the Habs with all of their smaller skilled forwards. With Smith going at four, Leonard will be the second incoming Boston College Eagle in the top five.

6) Arizona Coyotes 

Eric’s Pick: David Reinbacher, D, EHC Kloten (NL)

Bill Armstrong and his army of matching suits take the stage at No. 6 and take the best defenseman in the draft class in Reinbacher, a do-it-all minute-munching blueliner. With Arizona needing a new long-term No. 1 defenseman following Jakob Chychrun’s departure, Reinbacher fills that need. The Coyotes could absolutely consider Michkov or another forward like Dalibor Dvorsky, but in the end, the high-end rearguard wins out.

7) Philadelphia Flyers 

Andy’s Pick: Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi (KHL)

With the Washington Capitals’ interest in Michkov widely reported, Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere would be wise to pick up the phone and utilize as much leverage as he has here to find the right deal to swap picks with the Caps. In the end, given the Flyers’ full rebuild mode and another first-round pick at 22, Michkov makes perfect sense here and the return on a trade won’t be enough to pass up on this player. They can afford to wait for a talent that may ultimately be the best player taken in the draft.

8) Washington Capitals 

Eric’s Pick: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Sweden)

A player many scouts feel belongs in the conversation alongside “the big five,” Dvorsky gives Washington a highly skilled centerman to build their next core around while also being able to have him in the fold to support Alex Ovechkin at the end of his career as well. Given the Capitals’ lack of center depth, especially in their pipeline, Dvorsky makes a world of sense for Washington if they are unable to secure Michkov.

9) Detroit Red Wings 

Andy’s Pick: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)

Some feel Oliver Moore would be the take here considering his playing likeness to Dylan Larkin. That may be true, but the versatility of the big-bodied Danielson, who can play a number of different roles, fills a massive need for Detroit, who could be two to three years away from being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He has NHL size, decent speed and wins pucks, a great all-around player who Steve Yzerman will love.

10) St. Louis Blues

Eric’s Pick: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)

The Blues consider a number of different options here, and while I think they would ideally like more size, they choose to not overthink it and take the most skilled player remaining. In Benson, St. Louis adds a supreme offensive talent to complement their core. The Blues could certainly think about a defenseman or a bigger forward here, but skill wins out in the end.

11) Vancouver Canucks

Andy’s Pick: Oliver Moore, C, U.S. National Team Development Program 

The Canucks have a variety of needs, and with this pick, the best move is to take the best pure skater in the draft. That’s Moore. He is an exciting player that is a pure blazer. He could be brilliant in the Big Ten next year at the University of Minnesota, and it will be a year or two before the NHL awaits, but he’s incredibly talented with a ton of value at 11th overall.

12) Arizona Coyotes

Eric’s Pick: Matthew Wood, RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA)

After grabbing their future stud defenseman at No. 6, the Coyotes turn their attention to forwards at No. 12. In Wood, Arizona gets a big goal-scoring winger who could be a perfect match for Logan Cooley down the line. The Coyotes could opt for a center, but go with who many scouts would consider the consensus best player available at this spot.

13) Buffalo Sabres

Andy’s Pick: Tom Willander, D, Rögle BK J20 (Sweden)

Buffalo may wince after Arizona’s pick of Wood, as he would be an excellent complement to their young offensive core. Buffalo then shifts to the blueline. With Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power being the Sabres’ top two left-handed defensemen for years to come, addressing the other side could be critical. Willander’s stock is on the rise and the smooth Boston University commit could fit in nicely with Buffalo’s long-term plans. A future trio of Dahlin, Power and Willander looks mighty nice for the organization.

14) Pittsburgh Penguins 

Eric’s Pick: Gabriel Perreault, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program

New Penguins executive Kyle Dubas has a decision to make between swinging for the fences with a supreme offensive talent or opting for a safer type of pick. In the end, the Pens take a swing and scoop up Perreault, a crafty dual-threat winger with the hopes he pans out and is able to pair up with either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in the twilight of their careers.

15) Nashville Predators 

Andy’s Pick: Daniil But, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)

Here’s the first big leap in the first round, but if you are going to “swing for the fences,” as General Manager Barry Trotz has asked his team to do, But, a 6-foot-5 power forward may be the guy. He’s a monster, protects the puck and the Preds have little in terms of prospects on the wing. There are other wingers on the card that may be as attractive, but few can ignore But’s upside.

16) Calgary Flames

Eric’s Pick: Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)

The Flames are an interesting case, seemingly being in turmoil with a number of players looking to leave Cow Town, but also not really having any glaring holes in the organization, either. As such, Calgary scoops up a meat-and-potatoes goal-scoring winger in Barlow, who fits the traditional Flames mold.

17) Detroit Red Wings

Andy’s Pick: Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)

By all accounts, Honzek is a faster skater than what was initially reported. He is big and can finish, but above all else, what scouts like about him is his work ethic and character. That’s something Steve Yzerman and company will not ignore. The Wings get a great prospect here at 17.

18) Winnipeg Jets

Eric’s Pick: Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Winnipeg adds a high-end offensive defenseman to their pipeline, something they were clearly lacking. Sandin Pellikka will take time to develop, but given the Jets are on the verge of tearing things down, they have the time needed to wait for the elite-skating puck-mover.

19) Chicago Blackhawks

Andy’s Pick: Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)

If Brayden Yager is available and taken here, I will not be sad, but there are questions whether or not he will be a pivot in the NHL. So, if you are going for a winger, as Kyle Davidson should here, you need some sandpaper. Musty is everything you need here at 19. He needs to work on his skating, but he is a puck-winning player who can finish. With skill players like Bedard, Frank Nazar and Lukas Reichel in the system and on the smaller side, you need some muscle. Great pick here with Musty.

20) Seattle Kraken

Eric’s Pick: Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)

Despite clearly being set for the future down the middle, the Kraken grab Ritchie, a well-rounded power forward, with the plans to either use him as an ideal third-line center or as a winger to complement Matty Beniers or Shane Wright down the road. Injuries held Ritchie back during his draft season, so Seattle is also banking on this being a “buy low” type of scenario.

21) Minnesota Wild

Andy’s Pick: Otto Stenberg, C, Frölunda HK J20 (Sweden)

He may be a few years away, but the Wild have a deep prospect pool and can afford to wait. Since that’s the case, you need to take a high ceiling into account, and Stenberg has that. He’s raw, plays with a ton of heart and has a cannon of a shot. A lot of value with this take for the Wild.

22) Philadelphia Flyers

Eric’s Pick: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)

Daniel Briere sprints to the podium to snag Yager, who many feel could even crack the top 10. Yager is a smooth-skating center with an excellent shot, and with a lacking prospect pool, Philadelphia suddenly looks significantly better for the future with the additions of Michkov and Yager as future goal scorers.

23) New York Rangers

Andy’s Pick: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL)

Some have Heidt in the top 20 and others in the second round, but the Rangers are another team that will be looking for center depth and one with playmaking ability. Heidt plays with great instincts and awareness. He still needs to mature physically and there will need to be a firm development plan for him, but he has a shot to be a nice pro some day.

24) Nashville Predators

Eric’s Pick: Eduard Sale, LW, HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)

The Predators continue with their mentality of swinging for the fences, taking a player who is clearly the most talented player remaining on the board. The skillset alone would have warranted potentially a top-10 pick, but Sale’s work ethic and consistency have drawn significant questioning this season, resulting in his stock falling. If Barry Trotz and his no-nonsense approach to the game can straighten out Sale, Nashville could have a gem here.

25) St. Louis Blues

Andy’s Pick: Dimitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

St. Louis needs a defenseman, and should Simashev be here at 25, it would be an absolute steal for them. He’s 6-foot-4, skates extremely well, can move the puck and plays stingy defense. The blue line for the Blues is aging, and having a top-four defenseman in the pipeline is a must. Great fit here for Simashev.

26) San Jose Sharks

Eric’s Pick: Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna (WHL) 

After securing a high-end center at No. 4, the Sharks take a swing on potentially landing another big-time producer here at No. 26. Cristall is one of the more debated players of the draft class, as his 5-foot-9 frame combined with subpar skating ability leaves legitimate and serious concerns about an NHL future. But, given the immense offensive talent he has been thus far in his career, Mike Grier hopes more development helps get Cristall up to speed enough to become an NHL producer.

27) Colorado Avalanche

Andy’s Pick: Gavin Brindley, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

With all the talent in Colorado, it’s hard not to envision Brindley buzzing around with the rest of them. Some worry about his size, but he plays bigger than he is and has a contagious intensity. He will get better being around quality talent in Denver, and the Avs seem like the team that will know exactly how to use his intangibles.

28) Toronto Maple Leafs

Eric’s Pick: Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL)

The Maple Leafs only hold one pick in the first four rounds of the draft this year, so they need to make this pick count. They opt to take Molendyk, a highly efficient and well-rounded defenseman who can do a lot of things well. While Molendyk might not be the most exciting option on the board, he provides Toronto with a dependable modern-style blueliner for the future.

29) St. Louis Blues 

Andy’s Pick: Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

With their third pick in the first round, the Blues complement their skill picks with some toughness down the middle. Stramel may end up being a third-line center, or at worst somewhere in the bottom six, but he is big and a pain in the neck to play against. He needs to have a better year in Madison, but should his game grow, he has a good shot at being an NHL regular.

30) Carolina Hurricanes

Eric’s Pick: Bradley Nadeau, LW, Penticton (BCHL)

Carolina has been desperate to add goal scoring to its organization over the last few years, so with this pick they take a bit of a swing on a guy who might have the most offensive upside remaining in Nadeau. Nadeau is on the smaller side, but the Hurricanes have shown that if you are willing to work hard, a smaller frame does not bother them (see: Jarvis, Seth). Nadeau’s hockey smarts and offensive skills make him a worthy pick here for a team knocking on the door of hockey’s elite teams.

31) Montreal Canadiens 

Andy’s Pick: Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL)

We may not see a goalie being selected in the first round, but if so, it may be the Habs that do it. Montreal has a lot in their prospect cupboard exclusive of a goalie of the future. Hrabal may be the best of this class due to his size and athleticism. The UMass commit will take time to develop, but all the tools are there to be a regular NHL fixture in the pipes.

32) Vegas Golden Knights

Eric’s Pick: Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

Gauthier feels like a perfect fit for the Stanley Cup champions, as he plays a competitive and physical style while mixing in a nice offensive skillset. While there are a few players still on the board who most think will almost positively go in the first round, it is hard to argue against the fit here and that Gauthier is anything other than the best player available for Vegas to select.

The first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft begins at 6 p.m. CDT in Nashville. Be sure to follow Eric on Twitter (@WALaxer19), as he will be live on site in Nashville and plans to tweet out his live reactions and analysis to the Blackhawks’ picks and trades throughout the draft.

The post The Rink’s 2023 NHL Entry Draft first-round mock draft appeared first on The Rink.

On Feb. 19, Reichel’s Eisbaren Berlin team beat the Kolner Haie 6–1 with the Chicago prospect chipping in with a goal and an assist. Reichel played 14:01 this evening, with 1:38 on the power play. The forward was a factor in all three zones in the game and showed skills that made him the 17th overall pick.

Reichel lost the opening face off of the night, something that has been a struggle for him this season. He would win two of nine at the circle throughout the contest, a poor 22%, which is extremely low compared to his 44% face off percentage for the season. As an 18-year-old playing against older competition, and expected to be a winger in the NHL, this is not an alarming issue. Reichel shows he is willing to dig in and lean into his opponent to tie him up and allow his teammates the ability to make plays for the puck.

Each shift in the offensive zone, Reichel shows a nose for the net, almost as if he has a magnetic force with the blue paint. He works his way around defenders with shiftiness, a quality reminiscent of Patrick Sharp, and lets himself be a nuisance to the defenders and goaltender. He only generated one shot in the game, but was a threat with the puck for his team on most shifts.

The 6-foot, 172-pound Germany native carried the puck with confidence. Reichel played a simple game through the center of the ice, kept his head up for the puck and had his stick on the ice looking for the puck from his linemates. A glaring positive attribute was his ability to not slow down to make plays. With a wider ice surface in Germany, Reichel is able to use his slick stickhandling and ability to make plays with the puck away from his body, protecting the puck from the defender.

A few times playing on the wing in the game, Reichel carried the puck into his defender and was willing to take the body in order to make a play. His lack of size was evident on a few occasions, but this is not a concern for someone his age playing against older competition. On almost every defensive zone breakout, he is an option for his defenseman along the boards. He shows his defensive responsibility can turn into an easy exit pass quickly.

His skating is very good. He has an easy stride with good edge work. Reichel can turn in transition quickly, without losing speed, and backcheck with tenacity. His shiftiness in his hips allows him to make moves around defenders and even avoid contact. His forward burst into the offensive zone is tough to defend, showcasing a strong lower half that allows him to battle for dump-ins and pucks along the boards. He does not have blazing speed, but should be sneaky quick as he continues to mature.

Reichel’s goal in the contest came on the power play. Working as a winger, Eisbaren Berlin won the draw, which allowed Reichel to set up shop in front of the net. A nice tic-tac-toe pass ended up with puck on Reichel’s stick for an easy goal into a wide-open net. Reichel did an excellent job of positioning himself in the view of goaltender Justin Pogge’s vision, kept his stick on the ice and found a gift because of his positioning and attention to detail to find open ice. Many young forwards will not make the transition Reichel did to the far post, instead becoming stationary in front of the net, and allow the defender to tie up a stick.

His assist in the outing was almost the same exact power play setup that found Reichel in front of the net, rotated himself toward the right circle to give his linemate an option for a pass and found his teammate coming backdoor for an easy goal. Reichel showed good vision and anticipation on the play, knowing exactly where his teammate was going to be for another tic-tac-toe passing play goal.

In the defensive zone, Reichel keeps his head on a swivel and knows his responsibilities, a quality he was touted for on draft day. He shows active feet on the forecheck. The wider ice makes the forecheck a little more difficult since defenders can backpedal a bit and give themselves room, but Reichel does a nice job with an active stick, attempting to take away passing lanes. His willingness to forecheck and skate hard on the backcheck is a pleasant skill to have in the NHL. The IQ in his defensive zone was not needed much in the game, but it is evident he wants to defend.

His ability to read plays was evident when he stole a stretch pass in the neutral zone. Reichel retreated to center ice, read the pass and intercepted an opportunity that would have lead to an odd-man breakout the other way. The play was ruled offside as Reichel rushed into the offensive zone, but Reichel positioned himself in an excellent spot to make a play, another example of his ability to read the play and force a turnover.

One thing from the game that would need improvement was his tendency to try and get the puck off his stick after battles along the boards, which turned into a few giveaways in the contest. Reichel’s overall care for the puck is very good, so this could be a need for more comfort along the boards, which can come with size. He shows he can make plays in close, with the puck at his feet, through center ice, so this transition to along the boards should be quite an easy one.

Chicago fans should be excited about this game’s showing. Reichel played an overall game that is reminiscent of how to win games in the NHL: Win battles along the boards (as he matures, this will be a very good quality he shows), play in front of the net in the “tough areas” and show you can be defensively responsible in your own end. He does not have one “wow” skill that jumps off the charts, but has the overall game to succeed.

Please make sure to comment below or quote tweet on Twitter.

The post Blackhawks prospect game review: Lukas Reichel appeared first on The Rink.

Reichel is a 6 feet and 172 pounds and plays with Eisbären Berlin of the German DEL last season, scoring 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games. If the name sounds familiar, that is because his uncle is former Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs center Robert Reichel. His father is former DEL star center Martin Reichel.

These are a few scouting reports on the young Blackhawks first rounder:

“Reichel is a pro-ready player and the maturity in his game shows. A very good skater, he is a treat to watch gliding all over the ice with a fast top speed as well as very solid mobility. Smooth overall skater who relies on his solid skating techniques with very fluid strides. Possesses silk-smooth hands and can handle the puck very nicely, constantly putting the effort in to get to the tough parts of the ice and battle for puck possession. He displays great hockey sense and he always seems to be in the right place, getting to where he needs to be just slightly ahead of the play. He is strong along the boards, often coming out with the puck because of his excellent puck skills and tenacity. Didn’t find himself overwhelmed in this regard when faced with older, stronger, competition. He can use his quickness in small spaces to evade opposing players and find open space for himself. He has a good shot, and it is more effective because of the shot locations that he finds. If he isn’t getting himself to the front of the net, he is camping out on the backside of the play, waiting for a pass to one-time into the back of the net. In the defensive zone, he plays a solid positional game and clogs passing lanes, not afraid to get in front of a shot. His excellent board play aids him in puck battles but he needs to try to stay on the inside of the puck in defensive zone so he doesn’t get turned around as frequently. Overall, a smart playmaker with high compete level.”

— FC Hockey

Reichel also excels down low and when working the half wall as his agility is excellent, which makes him tough to pin. His board work has been outstanding, and he shows no worries in using his body to protect the puck, holding his own against extreme physical pressure from men despite his relatively light weight. The question is, does Reichel possess the upside to be more than a complementary middle six forward? His skill level is good but not elite. The same could be said for his speed and functional success in transition. It is for this reason that we have Reichel ranked below Stűtzle and Peterka because their respective upsides are higher.”

— Brock Otten (McKeens)

The Blackhawks will have six more picks tomorrow, with rounds two through seven beginning at 11:30 a.m. EDT (NHLN, SN).

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks take Lukas Reichel at number 17 in the NHL Draft appeared first on The Rink.

Finishing out the series of prospect profiles is Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.

Yaroslav Askarov

2019–20 Team: Neva St. Petersburg (Russia)
Date of Birth: June 16, 2002
Place of Birth: Omsk, Russia
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 176 pounds
Catches: Right
Position: G

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 1 (European Goalies)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 1 (European Goalies)

NHL Comparable: Andrei Vasilevskiy

Perhaps there is no better way to round out this series than with the age-old debate of how high is too high to select a goaltender. Projecting netminders is more difficult than any other position on the ice, and yes, high-quality goaltenders can be had later in the draft and even as undrafted free agents at times. But sometimes, a netminder comes along that is clearly a unique talent with an incredibly bright future. Simply put, Yaroslav Askarov is one of those goaltenders.

Now, this piece is not going to be an argument about if Askarov is worth a high pick or not. I have already made that argument. Instead, this will focus solely on Askarov’s play and what makes him a legitimate first-round draft prospect, and a relatively high one at that. Askarov has dominated at every level he has played at and has already continued to do so at the start of the 2020–21 season, posting a 0.74 goals against average and a .974 save percentage in three games to start the KHL campaign.

The most apparent thing about Askarov is his world-class athleticism. Someone with zero knowledge about hockey or goaltending could watch him play and quickly tell you Askarov is as athletic of a person as they have ever seen since it is that blatantly obvious. Askarov’s athleticism allows him to find ways to make show-stopping saves both with his physical ability and lightning-quick reaction time and reflexes.

This athleticism combines with Askarov’s leg strength and flexibility to create an extreme level of explosiveness in the crease. Askarov is able to move in the blue paint as well as anyone and has no difficulty covering a lot of ground to make cross-ice saves look easy. Askarov has a flair for the dramatic as well, as he enjoys using his top-notch glove hand to make flashy stops.

However, not only does Askarov have the raw athletic ability to be an elite goaltender; he also has a very high level of hockey smarts as well. Askarov reads and anticipates plays very quickly thanks in large part to his size and ability to track the puck with great vision.

Though not known for his puck handling, Askarov is effective with helping his teammates retrieve pucks in the defensive zone.

Of course, like pretty much any player, Askarov does have his areas for improvement. He sometimes struggles with rebound control and occasionally will be out of position due to moving too much, but that is not the norm. However, these areas are nothing he cannot overcome and will very likely be fixed with more time developing.

Implications for the Blackhawks

There is no sense in overthinking it. If Askarov is available when Chicago is picking at 17, they need to take him. Period. The Blackhawks have not developed an impactful goaltender through the draft since Corey Crawford way back in 2003. Crawford is now on his last legs, and there is no one currently in the organization capable of being a high-end starting netminder in the NHL. If the opportunity to select Askarov presents itself, the Blackhawks cannot afford to miss picking up their future franchise goaltender. That said, given Spencer Knight was selected 13th overall last year and Askarov is more highly regarded, Chicago would probably have to get lucky to land him after dropping in the draft order thanks to a play-in round victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Timeline

Like pretty much every netminder, Askarov will need time to properly develop, which he will continue to do in Russia. While it can be somewhat tough to project the readiness of a goaltender, Askarov certainly has the raw tools required to make an impact quicker than most. However, the selection is still an investment, a long-term one at that, so it is important to recognize Askarov might not be playing in the NHL until around 2023–24.

Projection

There is a reason he has received more hype than any draft-eligible netminder in the last 15 years. Askarov is a special talent, and while it can be quite difficult to accurately project goaltenders, it is beyond evident Askarov has the tools needed to be a Vezina Trophy candidate throughout his career. The sky is the limit with Askarov, but even his floor should be pretty high. Even if he is not taking home Vezina after Vezina, it is not unreasonable to expect him to become a top-10 netminder each season.

What others are saying

“I wouldn’t be foolish enough to give assurances, but Askarov passes a lot of the tests I’m looking for in a goalie. He’s 6-foot-3, has tremendous quickness, an elite brain and a great mentality in net where he combines efficiency and aggressiveness that distinguishes him from other very quick netminders. … The toolkit, the brain and the performance over a long period of time point to a unique goalie prospect. I may be wrong on him. Goalies are very hard to project, and even when they get to the league, even the best goaltenders’ performances fluctuate wildly, making them at times unreliable. But I think there’s something different about Askarov. I think he’s going to be one of the top goaltenders in the NHL.”

— Corey Pronman / The Athletic

“Askarov uses a hybrid style similar to Patrick Roy—a total vertical stance that explodes into an airtight butterfly. A noteworthy aspect of Askarov’s style is constant movement, which is imperative to properly defend the upper half (stand-up) and dominate the lower half (butterfly). Askarov’s superior flexibility, athleticism and quickness (and proper stick positioning) are all on display during most possessions inside his own end. Viewing him as being ‘jittery’ or having ‘happy feet’ without understanding Askarov’s style and how it clearly works for him sets critics up for failure—Askarov is incredibly intelligent and possesses technical superiority in multiple areas that validate a style that not only works best for him but also has given him a proven track record in both league and tournament play.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian defenseman Braden Schneider.

Braden Schneider

2019–20 Team: Brandon (WHL)
Date of Birth: Sept. 20, 2001
Place of Birth: Prince Albert, SK, Canada
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 202 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 9 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 8 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Connor Murphy

Another defense-first blueliner, Braden Schneider provides an intriguing option for teams picking in the middle of the first round with his style of play and potential offensive upside.

Like Kaiden Guhle, Schneider is highly effective at separating pucks from the opposition. Schneider primarily uses an active stick to swipe pucks away, but also enjoys stepping up to lay the body as well. Schneider frequently makes the right choice of which strategy to utilize, and rarely runs out of position to make contact. His defensive decision making is quick, allowing him to limit potential damage.

Again like Guhle, Schneider has pretty good mobility for a player of his size. Schneider is able to cover the ice very well and takes full advantage of it with his sound gap control. He positions himself well particularly when defending the rush and deploys his stick wisely to break up passes.

However, Schneider certainly has some differences from Guhle. Schneider is more of a pace-controlling defender than a true shutdown defender, as he is patient and efficient with his coverage.

Another big difference between the two is Schneider’s ability to move the puck well, especially in more settled situations. Schneider is very good at reading forecheckers and reacting accordingly in order to start the transition. Once inside the offensive zone, Schneider is generally a more conservative blueliner at even strength, electing to stay at the point more times than not and serve as an outlet if needed.

Of course, Schneider certainly has his deficiencies as well. With the puck, Schneider can struggle under aggressive forechecking pressure, often resulting in a turnover. Additionally, Schneider at times lacks consistency with his outlet passes, sometimes not reading the passing opportunity correctly by putting too much or not enough muscle on the feed. Schneider also does not have the most threatening shot in the world, especially when electing to stay near the blue line.

Defensively, Schneider can display some inconsistency in reading the opposition in more settled situations, losing his positioning in the process. Though generally a mobile rearguard, Schneider has shown he can be beat to the outside by high-end skaters.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Like Guhle, Schneider’s draft stock is in the air, as some feel he could be a top-15 pick while others think he could drop to the end of the first round. Despite that, with his rather limited upside and being a right-handed defenseman, Schneider probably does not make a ton of sense for the Blackhawks given their relative prospect depth on the right side even if he is still on the board at 17. Assuming Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell can both play top-four minutes on the right side for Chicago, that immediately caps Schneider as a third-pairing defenseman and you would presumably want to get better value with a 17th overall selection than that.

Timeline

Schneider would benefit from a conservative development route to iron out his inconsistencies. He will spend at least another year in the WHL before turning pro, where he would then be best suited for a year or two in the AHL before getting into an NHL lineup. As such, Schneider likely will not be playing NHL minutes until at least 2023–24.

Projection

While Schneider theoretically could develop into more of a two-way threat to become a top-four defenseman at the NHL level, odds are better he will top out as a solid depth defender, perhaps carving out a role as a reliable No. 5 defenseman.

What others are saying

“A right-handed shot and two-way player capable of playing the power play and penalty kill with great competitiveness and smarts, he’s a more physically developed prospect and finishes checks with authority in all areas of the ice.”

— Mike Morreale / NHL.com

“A physical presence on the blue line who can counter quickly thanks to his impressive speed and quick thinking, Schneider is a prototypical western Canadian defenseman who relies on poise, smart positioning and punishing hits to neutralize opposing rushes. Schneider patrols the neutral zone like a shark and has a high success rate when he decides to step up into a play. You rarely see an opponent try to beat him 1-on-1, and they certainly make an effort to maintain awareness when Schneider’s on the ice in order to avoid one of his patented open-ice hits. … He uses his sturdy frame, quick thinking and long reach to his advantage, and he is a major problem solver for his coach in situations like the penalty kill, where Schneider can be an unforgiving adversary to challenge for net-front superiority. He also times his releases from the low slot in conjunction with his partner’s positioning. All these aspects make it understandable why Schneider is viewed as a legitimate first-round candidate, but infrequent game-breaking instances places him outside the top tier of first-year eligible defenders.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian defenseman Kaiden Guhle.

Kaiden Guhle

2019–20 Team: Prince Albert (WHL)
Date of Birth: Jan. 18, 2002
Place of Birth: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 186 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 8 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 7 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Nikita Zadorov

If the last name sounds familiar, it probably should, as Kaiden Guhle is the younger brother of Anaheim defenseman Brendan Guhle. Though the two do have some similarities, Kaiden is a rock-solid defender who excels in his own end like few others in the 2020 draft class.

Guhle’s biggest strength is his ability to separate the puck from the opposition, and he can do so in a number of ways. Guhle utilizes his reach to poke pucks away from opponents and certainly enjoys getting physical as well, never shy—and sometimes too eager—to lay a big hit in open ice or along the boards. Guhle is also effective pinning players to the boards in order to shut down an offensive threat.

However it is not simply Guhle’s physical tools that allow him to be a top-end shutdown rearguard. Guhle thinks the game very well when defending, which allows him to read and react to plays quickly and effectively. He times his pressure well and is typically in good defensive positioning when settled.

Another strong suit of Guhle’s game is his mobility. Despite having a large frame, Guhle has no issue navigating the ice and takes advantage of that in order to cover the ice and close gaps efficiently. Guhle is also extremely stable on his feet, which helps him win battles along the boards and in front of the net. Guhle’s skating ability is also evident in the offensive end, as he likes to aggressively pinch in and get to the goal mouth to finish plays.

While Guhle does have a number of upsides to his game, particularly on the defensive side, he has a few flaws. As noted, he can be a bit too focused on taking the body at times, which can result in some defensive breakdowns, and while he does have strong mobility, his agility can sometimes allow shifty speedsters to beat him to the outside.

However, arguably the biggest area of improvement is his puck-moving ability. Guhle’s knack for separating the puck from the opponent is very special, but it can often go to waste. Guhle struggles with making decisions with the puck and regularly ends up just chipping pucks out to the neutral zone or dumping them into the offensive zone rather than connecting with teammates to keep possession. Additionally, Guhle can be caught taking too long to make a decision with the puck, which could come back to bite him significantly at the pro level.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Guhle’s draft stock is a bit of an unknown, as some like him much more than others. Given the top of the draft is rather light on defensemen, Guhle could be off the board in the top 15 if a team really needs to shore up its blue line depth. Should Guhle still be available at 17, he would give the Blackhawks something they do not have much of in the system, a heavy and reliable shutdown defender. Guhle could be a very good match on a pairing with a talented puck-mover like Adam Boqvist, as each would complement and balance out the other, somewhat similar to how Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson worked together on the blue line back when Chicago was a legitimate playoff team.

Timeline

Physically, Guhle is pretty much good to go for the next level. But, because of his deficiencies with the puck on his stick, he will definitely need at least another year in the WHL, if not two, before making the jump to the pro game, where he would then greatly benefit from at least a year in the AHL. While Guhle could make the jump sooner because of his defending skills, do not expect to see Guhle on an NHL blue line regularly until 2023–24.

Projection

Guhle’s long-term upside will likely be determined exclusively by if he can develop his puck-moving ability. If he can make strides in that area, he could be a highly effective second-pairing defenseman, potentially even a low-end top-pairing option. However, without that progression, Guhle would probably top out as a No. 4 or 5 shutdown defenseman. Frankly, it is likely safer to assume the latter and if the former ends up happening, it is an added bonus.

What others are saying

“Guhle’s impact on defense covers many areas. His one-on-one play—gap control, footspeed, stick positioning, timing—is excellent, and he can finish off an opponent with a thunderous check that creates a change in possession. Other times, Guhle will fix them into the corner and contain them while using harassing stick checks until forward help arrives. The decision-making process behind Guhle’s slot coverage delivers sound courses of action that result in the elimination of threats near his own goal. Keeping his feet moving, defending the low slot with force and wielding an active stick on the penalty kill are two reasons why he’s a key cog to Prince Albert’s special teams, which have ranked near the top of the WHL in each of his two full seasons.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

“Kaiden Guhle is a toolsy left-handed blueliner who has the size and skating ability that teams covet, but his decision making is questionable at times. He shows flashes of high-end playmaking ability, but is inconsistent. He defends in zone quite well and uses his large frame and long reach to disrupt plays.”

— Tony Ferrari / Dobber Prospects

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian center Connor Zary.

Connor Zary

2019–20 Team: Kamloops (WHL)
Date of Birth: Sept. 25, 2001
Place of Birth: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 178 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 15 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 12 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Bo Horvat

Nothing flashy, but highly effective. That would be a pretty good way to describe the game of Kamloops center Connor Zary. The pivot is quite well-rounded despite not particularly standing out in any given area, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Zary can do a bit of everything offensively, as he possesses a quality shot with a quick release. His puck handling and creativity allows him to make something out of nothing, while his vision and hockey sense help him find and set up teammates for high-danger scoring chances.

Zary’s 200-foot game is strong, as he is very reliable and sound in his own end. His hockey smarts help him anticipate plays well and he uses a good stick to clog up passing and shooting lanes.

Perhaps the best part of Zary’s package is his high compete level. Zary is a very motivated player, looking to do whatever he can to make an impact on each shift. Zary’s work ethic makes him a natural leader and his passion for the game is evident.

Arguably the only knock on Zary is his skating, which many would describe to be average at best. While his mobility has not hindered him to this point, it will certainly be something to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. If Zary can improve in this area, he could become a dangerous two-way threat.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Unlike some of the other prospects covered thus far, saying Zary would be available at 17 is not a stretch. While he certainly could be selected sooner if a team likes him, the likelihood of him still being on the board is a lot greater than some of the other forwards highlighted. Though some would say he is worthy of being picked in the top 15, most would say he is likely to go somewhere around 20 give or take a few picks, so should the Blackhawks want him, he will likely be there for the taking.

Timeline

Zary will need to improve his skating before contributing at the NHL level, so expect for him to return to the WHL this upcoming season. If he makes progress, he could be able to turn pro in 2021–22, as the other areas of his game would certainly be ready to go at that point. But, his team could take the slower route to ensure he is absolutely ready to make the jump, which could see his debut delayed to 2022–23.

Projection

Zary’s offensive tools do give him legitimate upside, but whether or not he will reach that potential remains to be seen. He can likely be expected to develop into a middle-six option that could take on a more prominent role as a scorer if his skating improves, but if not, he can likely become a decent third-line player capable of contributing at both ends of the ice. Either way, Zary is the type of player every team wants to have on its roster. Zary is listed as a center, but could end up playing on the wing in the NHL if his skating is not up to par.

What others are saying

“A top-notch competitor with a nose for the net, Zary was the heart and soul of an improved Kamloops team that improved significantly from last season. He’s an intelligent two-way center who provides support in a variety of ways, including subtle touch or bank passes in the defensive zone that leads to swift breakouts. Playmaking is just one of his distinguishable assets, as he can deliver precision passes from either his forehand or backhand. Strong and well-balanced, Zary displays deceptive quickness and requires only two or three strides to accelerate to top speed and become an open-ice threat.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

“Connor Zary is one of the older players in the draft class, but has led the WHL in scoring at times. He is a player who does everything well, but nothing really great. The complete game allows him to be a difference-maker for his team in all three zones.”

— Tony Ferrari / Dobber Prospects

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian winger Jack Quinn.

Jack Quinn

2019–20 Team: Ottawa (OHL)
Date of Birth: Sept. 19, 2001
Place of Birth: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 176 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 7 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 9 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Jake Guentzel

Jack Quinn has been among the biggest risers of the 2020 draft class thanks to a monstrous season in the OHL. Overshadowed by fellow top prospect Marco Rossi entering the season, Quinn burst onto the scene with his production and continued to pour in goals as the campaign progressed. Once considered a third-round prospect, Quinn is now viewed as one of, if not the best, goal scorers in the draft after tallying 52 goals in the shortened 2019–20 season.

Quinn is a prototypical sniper with an elite shot. He owns a lightning-quick release and is able to fire the puck with pinpoint accuracy. Quinn can find the back of the net in a number of ways, as his wrist, snap and backhand shots are all highly effective.

Though Quinn is certainly a lethal sniper, he is not simply a one-trick pony. He is equally effective finding the back of the net in various situations, capable of lighting the lamp on the rush, in settled situations, on breakaways, with the man advantage and even shorthanded.

Quinn also takes advantage of the respect his scoring ability warrants from the opposition by using his vision and creativity to find open teammates for high-danger scoring chances. The winger also possesses quality hands, which he utilizes to slice his way through defenders.

Skating was often the biggest knock on Quinn’s game entering his draft season, but he made noticeable improvement throughout the year. Quinn makes the most of his acceleration and agility to be a deceptive skater, but lacks high-end top speed.

Away from the puck, Quinn is responsible defensively. He uses his top-notch hockey smarts to anticipate plays well and is relied upon in a number of situations. Another big-time strength of Quinn’s game is his compete level, as he is very driven to succeed in whatever situation he is presented with. Quinn seems to have a knack of performing in the clutch as well, thriving under pressure.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Is it possible Quinn could still be available for the Blackhawks at 17? Yes. Will he be? Well, the answer to that is he should not be. With the package Quinn brings to the table, it is much more likely Quinn breaks into the top 10 than falling to Chicago at 17. Some even believe Quinn could surpass Rossi and maybe even sneak into the top five. Regardless, it would take a number of teams passing on his talent to select players that fill holes in their system in order for Quinn to drop out of the top 15. Should Quinn somehow end up a Blackhawk come Oct. 6, count that as pretty much the best-case scenario for how the draft unfolds.

Timeline

Quinn would definitely benefit from more development time before turning pro. As mentioned, his top-end speed needs some work, and like almost any young player, he could certainly stand to add more muscle to his frame. Expect Quinn to return to the OHL this upcoming season, but he could be ready to go for the 2021–22 season.

Projection

Should Quinn pan out, he will be a top-six sniper capable of filling the net for his team year in and year out. While he may not become a Rocket Richard Trophy winner in the NHL, he should still be a high-level scorer with all the tools needed to be a perennial 30-goal scorer, if not more.

What others are saying

“Quinn can certainly shoot it at a high level, but he’s also a player with a lot of skill and IQ. He can beat defenders with his hands, find teammates very well and score from a distance, giving his game a lot of dimensions. The main reason for his sudden rise in prospect stock has been the continued improvement in his skating to being arguably above-average when it used to be a weakness for him. Quinn is solid off the puck, plays the penalty kill for Ottawa and is a player who coaches and scouts universally praise for all the dimensions in his game.”

— Corey Pronman / The Athletic

“The knee-jerk response to Quinn’s rise in draft circles is to tie his production to playing on Rossi’s wing. But Quinn clearly does the work required to get himself into scoring position, and you can’t fault him for making the most of his opportunities. Quinn has the potential to drive his own line as a winger because he’s so good in the corners or along the boards, plus his escapability for an above-average skater is a tribute to his poise and the timing of his lateral cuts immediately after (offensive) zone entries. Playing a cerebral, poised and calculated game from the flank while making smart decision after smart decision is the best explanation I can come up with for the manner in which he toyed with OHL defenders and goalies; even in a season where goal scoring skyrocketed from previous campaigns.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Czech center Jan Mysak.

Jan Mysak

2019–20 Team: Litvinov (Czech Republic) / Hamilton (OHL)
Date of Birth: June 24, 2002
Place of Birth: Litvinov, Czech Republic
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 175 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 28 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 9 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Nick Suzuki

Jan Mysak is arguably the poster boy of high-risk, high-reward prospects in the 2020 draft class. A native of the Czech Republic, the dynamic forward crossed the pond midseason to play in the OHL to increase his draft-year exposure. A bold strategy to say the least, Mysak seemed to settle into the North American game as the season progressed.

Mysak is fleet of foot on the ice with good top-end speed and the ability to weave in and out of defenders with strong edgework. He enjoys using his feet to generate quality chances, as he has little fear attacking the middle of the ice. When pairing this ability with his stickhandling talent, Mysak can be a dangerous offensive weapon. Mysak also uses his skating to protect the puck from the opposition, maneuvering his body to keep the puck away from checkers.

Because of his strong skating ability, Mysak can be a highly effective transition player by pushing the pace of play to create offense. That said, Mysak also has a good understanding of when to slow things down and wait out the defense to make the correct play.

While he has the vision needed to be a quality playmaker, Mysak is generally a shoot-first player. He has the quick release and accuracy required to be a high-end goal scorer at the next level.

Though not a massive liability in his own end, Mysak definitely has work to do in order to become a more well-rounded player. He can be too passive in his own end in pressuring the opposition and can sometimes be caught flat-footed after watching the puck carrier for too long. That said, Mysak typically has a pretty good work ethic on the ice, so the hope would be these areas can be cleaned up with time.

Implications for the Blackhawks

How much of a risk are the Blackhawks looking to take with their first-round pick? If they want a safer bet, Mysak will not even be considered for the selection. But, if they are willing to swing for the fences, Mysak is their guy. While Mysak theoretically could be off the board if another team really feels his upside outweighs his inconsistencies, odds are probably good Mysak will be available when the Blackhawks make their pick at 17 if they want to take the shot. Mysak would not necessarily be a reach at 17, but the cons of his game will likely limit him from being picked any earlier.

Timeline

Mysak definitely needs a lot of seasoning before playing in the NHL. He will require attention to get him on track in terms of his defensive engagement, especially if he is going to play center at the next level. Similarly, Mysak needs to be more assertive on the forecheck, as he has the tools to be effective disrupting the opposition in their own end. Mysak’s puck-moving consistency also needs work, as he has a bit of an issue with making sloppy plays that often lead to turnovers. He will likely spend another two seasons in the OHL before turning pro, where he could then greatly benefit from getting used to the pro game in the AHL. While he could make the jump sooner, do not expect for Mysak to be playing meaningful NHL minutes any earlier than 2023–24.

Projection

Mysak is very much a boom-or-bust prospect capable of becoming either a solid top-six scorer or not cutting it at the NHL level. The offensive tools are there; it will just be a matter of putting it all together and being more consistent and reliable. While he certainly has the upside to be a productive center in the NHL, he could also end up being a winger should his two-way game not come to fruition. Should Mysak live up to his potential, he would make his team quite happy, as they would likely have gotten a bit of a steal.

What others are saying

“Mysak’s arrival in North America went just about as well as it could have. He started his OHL stint with 10 goals in nine games and when the season came to an early end, Mysak had registered 25 points in 22 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was able to show off the tools that we saw glimpses of in his native Czech Republic when he played in the men’s pro league there. His shot is lethal and he has some explosion in his game. He finds his teammates well and looked more efficient in his skating stride as the year wore on. He still needs to work on being a bit more efficient with his stride, but a noticeable improvement has been made. He thinks the game at a high level and he could find a role in an NHL top-six at some point in the future. He may not be a true line driver, but he pushes play in the right direction and he has the skill to be a productive scoring winger.”

— Tony Ferrari / Dobber Prospects

“Mysak has a knack for getting open and uses his top-end speed to outpace pressure. His footwork and straight-line skating are quite impressive, and his stride is long and clean. Mysak also displays a commanding on-ice presence and is a creative forward who can finish as well as he can set up linemates. Mysak has elite hands and a nasty shot-release combination on his wrist shot (just ask Yaroslav Askarov about that one). He was a bit more active finding space in the Extraliga than he has with Hamilton, but he still knows how to create his own shot and has proven he can score on the backhand with regularity.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian center Dawson Mercer.

Dawson Mercer

2019–20 Team: Drummondville / Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: Oct. 27, 2001
Place of Birth: Carbonear, NL, Canada
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 180 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 10 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 6 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Tanner Pearson

Dawson Mercer is an interesting case among the prospects available in this range of the first round. His offensive abilities project well for the pro game, but his lack of consistency at times has been cause for concern, dropping him down the rankings a bit throughout the season.

As mentioned, Mercer possesses an impressive and diverse offensive tool bag. Mercer is very much a dual-threat type of player in the offensive end. He owns a dangerous shot thanks to a quick release with quality power. Though his accuracy is not elite, Mercer definitely knows how to put the puck in the net.

Mercer also willingly takes advantage of the respect his shot earns in order to set up his teammates, as he loves faking a shot to fool defenders and goaltenders before sliding the puck to a waiting comrade. Mercer’s strong vision helps him find others even in the midst of traffic.

Mercer boasts quality skating abilities with a quick first step and above-average agility. Though not an elite speedster, his stride can be deceptive, giving him the separation needed to make plays.

Defensively, Mercer is generally sound and can be relied upon in a number of situations including the penalty kill. He anticipates plays well, which helps him get into passing and shooting lanes to disrupt the opposition.

Implications for the Blackhawks

As has been the case for other prospects previously featured, where Mercer will be selected is really anyone’s guess. He very well could go as high as the 12 range, but could also drop to closer to 20 as well. Should Mercer be available at 17, he would be a nice addition to Chicago’s prospect pool, as he would give them a higher-end offensive talent.

Timeline

Mercer will need more time to work on being a more consistent player, both with and without the puck. His decision-making ability needs refining, and like any young player, can also put on some more muscle as well to be even more effective from a physical standpoint. Mercer will likely spend at least one more year in the QMJHL before making the jump to the pro game, where he would then benefit from some time in the AHL. Do not expect to see Mercer on NHL ice regularly until at least 2022–23.

Projection

Mercer certainly has the raw talent to develop into a top-six point producer, but it would probably be more realistic to expect him to become a well-rounded middle-six option. Though listed as a center, he has spent a lot of time playing on the wing, which is likely where his long-term future will be. Compared to some other players within this range, Mercer is viewed as a bit of a safer bet, as his floor would likely be a depth player capable of chipping in at both ends of the ice.

What others are saying

“Mercer is an accurate passer and can make tape-to-tape passes in one motion. He owns soft hands and is a confident passer, not only for his body language and stickwork, but also for the areas he tries to feed pucks through. Mercer does not look for the easy way out and will gladly defer to his elite shot if a passing lane is clogged. This situation likely causes many problems for opposing QMJHL tacticians since Mercer’s as dangerous a shooter as he is a playmaker. He owns a quick first step that he takes with decisiveness, so expect time and space for him once he’s heading north. Mercer owns a wide but quick stride that helps him finish first in most of his foot races. He also is tough to knock off the puck and he can be shifty and elusive in tight spaces, especially behind or near the net. The defensive component to Mercer’s game is quite effective. He not only kills penalties with a strong desire to counterattack, but Mercer also patrols the neutral zone and picks off a lot of passes. His body and stick react to the puck’s every move, which help him get in the way of d-to-d or seam passes.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

“His shooting accuracy can be shaky at times, he is inconsistent with his puck control and occasionally Mercer will make bad decisions with the puck when traffic is bearing down on him. While he has a few flaws in his game, he has a lot of promise. His edges are strong and he can weave around traffic in transition. Mercer always seems to find open ice in the offensive zone and is a crisp passer.”

— Josh Tessler / Dobber Prospects

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian center Seth Jarvis.

Seth Jarvis

2019–20 Team: Portland (WHL)
Date of Birth: Feb. 1, 2002
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 175 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 11 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 19 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Mitch Marner

Seth Jarvis is arguably the best offensive threat of all the forwards we will be discussing in this series. The slightly undersized pivot was an offensive dynamo for Portland in his draft year and was recording points at a remarkable rate as the season went on.

Jarvis possesses a potent dual-threat playing style, as he is both a lethal scorer and playmaker thanks to a laser focus on creating high-danger scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

The center frequently fires the puck from prime scoring areas, which helped him light the lamp 42 times in 58 games this season. Jarvis has a quick release, as the puck seemingly jumps off his stick. Although Jarvis shoots in quantity, his attempts are typically quality as well, as he understands the importance of getting to the middle of the ice and does what it takes to get there to increase the threat.

Likewise, Jarvis is an elite playmaker, frequently setting up teammates in high-danger spots. Jarvis possesses top-notch vision and hockey sense, which he pairs with high-end creativity to distribute the puck. Whether shooting or passing, Jarvis has an aggressive focus on funneling the puck to the net to create quality scoring chances for his team.

Jarvis owns good skating talent with an ability to weave around the ice. Though not the most agile skater in the draft, Jarvis does possess elusive qualities that help him get out of sticky situations when pressured by defenders. He uses his speed to find open space on the ice and utilizes a wide base to protect the puck from the opposition.

With his focus nearly exclusively on generating offense, Jarvis is not known as much of a defender. Despite not being where he needs to be defensively just yet, Jarvis has shown an ability to be competent in his own end when he wants to be. This will be an area Jarvis needs to clean up in order to be a reliable player at the next level.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Jarvis is yet another player who could be long gone by the time Chicago is picking at 17th, but he very well could still be on the board. The grouping of players after the top 10–12 are almost interchangeable, so it will ultimately come down to what teams are looking for to determine who goes where. That said, given the immense skill Jarvis boasts, grabbing a player of his calibre at 17 would be a nice pickup for the Blackhawks. Chicago is lacking high-end offensive talent in the pipeline, and Jarvis would certainly address that.

Timeline

More development time would allow Jarvis to bulk up a bit, which is one of the biggest areas he needs to focus on before turning pro. Jarvis also needs to work on his defensive play, as he is essentially a one-way player at this point. However, both areas of improvement can be fixed with time. Jarvis will likely spend at least one more year in the WHL before making the jump to professional hockey, making his estimated time of arrival 2021–22 at the earliest.

Projection

Though Jarvis is slightly undersized, he has all the offensive tools to be a dynamic top-six forward in the NHL capable of putting up quality point totals. He will likely need to be in that role though, as his style of play does not exactly lend itself to a depth role unless he really develops his defensive game in order to become a legitimate two-way threat. Listed as a center, Jarvis may very well end up being a winger in the NHL, especially if his defensive play does not drastically improve.

What others are saying

“Jarvis wrapped up as the top WHL draft-eligible producer with an impressive 42 goals and 98 points in 54 contests for Portland. He simply refuses to be denied access to the inner portion of the offensive zone. His penchant for clicking at a high conversion rate blends well with this style. Jarvis mixes good speed with a fearless and skillful approach. He was an explosive player on one of the top CHL clubs and will look to replicate and increase that level of performance next season – likely with a spot on the Canadian National Team at the WJC.”

— Cam Robinson / Dobber Prospects

“Seth Jarvis is a highly-skilled winger who displays a soft touch with the puck and the ability to stickhandle in a phone booth. The puck seems to follow Jarvis around the ice. He populates the high-danger areas around the net, unafraid to wedge his way into a good position at the net front. Jarvis is able to elevate his shot from in tight on a netminder. His affinity for the slot is also prevalent in where he likes to filter the puck as a playmaker. Jarvis is a strong skater who zips around the ice, agile on his edges in all three zones.”

— Tony Ferrari / Dobber Prospects

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is Canadian center Dylan Holloway.

Dylan Holloway

2019–20 Team: Wisconsin (NCAA)
Date of Birth: Sept. 23, 2001
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB, Canada
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 203 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 12 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 10 (North American Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Gabriel Landeskog

What you see is pretty much what you get with Dylan Holloway. Holloway boasts a nice package of size, skill and speed to go along with a well-rounded two-way game.

Holloway is first and foremost a power forward. He plays an aggressive-yet-disciplined style and is not afraid to get into the action to make an impact physically. Holloway sports a high-energy motor that defines his relentless playing style. A hard worker in all facets of the game, he is an extremely responsible and reliable player regardless of the situation.

In addition to his work ethic, Holloway’s versatility also serves him well and will continue to do so as he advances in his career. Though listed as a center, Holloway can easily play on the wing and has done so at various times throughout his career. Additionally, his well-rounded game allows him to slot in up and down a lineup while still being effective in the assigned role.

Holloway possesses a nice offensive skill set despite not being an elite point producer. Arguably Holloway’s biggest offensive strength is his skill with the puck. He owns quality hands and uses them effectively, maneuvering the puck through and around defenders with ease. Holloway’s puck skills also allow him to be a sound passer though he will not dazzle you with high-end playmaking. Similarly, Holloway possesses a solid shot with a decent release and good power.

Skating is generally a strength for Holloway, as he has little trouble working his way around the ice. However, adding an explosive component to his skating would take his mobility to the next level and make him a more dangerous offensive threat.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Holloway has been up and down the draft board throughout the season and could approach the 10–12 range or could slip into the 20s, so where he will end up is anyone’s guess. That said, should he still be available when the Blackhawks make their selection at 17, he would provide much-needed size to Chicago’s prospect pool. The Hawks opted for Kirby Dach’s size last year, and if they want to continue shoring up that aspect of the system, Holloway would be an excellent choice, immediately making him one of the Blackhawks’ larger forward prospects. Another thing to note is the added insight the front office could get on Holloway from Wyatt Kalynuk, who captained the Badgers this past season before signing with the Hawks this summer.

Timeline

Holloway will likely spend at least another couple of years playing for the Badgers, so do not expect to see Holloway playing professionally until at least 2022–23 or 2023–24 depending on when he decides to make the jump. The biggest areas of improvement to focus on while playing at Wisconsin are likely the need to develop more confidence in his game, particularly offensively, after a disappointing season for the Badgers as a whole as well as adding diversity and consistency to his offensive repertoire.

Projection

Though many think Holloway can develop into a top-six player at the NHL level, he will more realistically project as a middle-six option capable of contributing in a number of areas. As mentioned, his versatility will aid him in his development and ability to make an impact wherever he plays. Despite likely not having a ton of offensive upside, Holloway is the type of player a team needs in the lineup to be successful.

What others are saying

“He’s best described as a complete package, which is what makes him such an attractive prospect in this draft. He’s been well-scouted the past three seasons and is therefore a well-known commodity who has been evaluated mostly while playing as one of the youngest members on his team at every level. He understands the game very well and utilizes his skating, smarts and skills with a determination and passion that places him in the right position at the right time to make good plays. He’s an ultimate team player with strong leadership attributes.”

— Dan Marr / NHL Central Scouting

“Holloway is a hound off the puck who consistently applies pressure with physicality, especially on the penalty kill. He gets involved on the forecheck and creates turnovers thanks to smart reads, proper stick positioning and quick turns towards the direction of puck travel. Holloway has proven to be effective in various types of zone-coverage schemes and usually stays within the system being implemented. By watching him react to puck movement accordingly while maintaining positional flexibility, you get the sense that Holloway is not trying to do everyone’s job and listens to the coaching staff’s instructions. Once he has the puck under control, Holloway features a relatively wide skating base and accelerates with a powerful stride and above-average straight-line speed. His first step is quick, and he can make instant directional changes, tight turns and pivot on a dime while moving at top speed, all while maintaining control of the puck during these difficult maneuvers. His skating most certainly is a strong suit, and his escapability along the boards while taking hard shoves reveals his elite balance.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

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First in the series of prospect profiles is Russian winger Rodion Amirov.

Rodion Amirov

2019–20 Team: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia)
Date of Birth: Oct. 2, 2001
Place of Birth: Salavat, Russia
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 177 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: LW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 5 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 5 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Nikita Kucherov

Rodion Amirov is an intriguing prospect in this year’s draft class because of how complete of a player he is. Amirov naturally excels offensively, but has made strides on the defensive side of the puck in recent years, establishing himself as a trustworthy winger capable of playing in numerous situations.

Amirov’s biggest strength is clearly his skating. While his top-end speed warrants respect, his agility and elusiveness is what truly sets him apart. Amirov uses his edges extremely well to maneuver around defenders and pivots well to protect the puck. His agility allows him to quickly dart in and out of high-danger spots on the ice, giving him prime scoring opportunities. Amirov’s skating ability helps him dictate the pace of play, as he enjoys carrying the puck to both break out of the defensive zone and enter the offensive zone. Though he is a powerful skater, he could be an even larger threat if he attacked the goal directly with more frequency.

The Russian also excels in his puck distribution skills. While many would assume this means Amirov could be classified as a playmaker, he really is more of a distributor than anything, as he simply gets the puck to his teammates in the right places to give them an opportunity to do damage. Amirov frequently makes the safe play in his passing and is highly effective doing so with a remarkable pass completion rate.

Though more of a passer than a shooter, Amirov does not mind firing the puck on the net, which he willingly does when he finds himself in those higher-danger spots on the ice. His release and accuracy stand out despite not possessing an overly powerful shot.

Hockey smarts is another strength for Amirov, as he is able to anticipate plays and react accordingly with ease in all situations of the game. His understanding of the game allows him to find open space in the offensive zone, turning him into a scoring threat in the blink of an eye. Amirov’s strong hockey IQ helps him in the defensive end as well, as he is very much a competent defender willing and able to do what it takes to stop the opposition.

Amirov is not an overly physical player, but does what it takes to be successful in the hard areas, largely thanks to his elite agility. Amirov uses his feet to shield defenders and gain separation in contested areas, giving him an efficient style of play in terms of physicality. He will never be confused for a bruiser, but his willingness to get to where he needs to be and his ability to best opponents with his skating and body positioning makes up for his lack of stereotypical physicality.

Implications for the Blackhawks

Amirov will likely go somewhere around when the Blackhawks pick 17th. The likelihood of Amirov being selected within the top 12 picks is slim, so from there it simply becomes a matter of what teams are looking for. While it would not be a huge surprise for Amirov to be gone when Chicago makes its selection, the Russian very well could be there for the taking for General Manager Stan Bowman.

Timeline

According to Elite Prospects, Amirov’s current contract in Russia will end following the 2020–21 season. The biggest area of improvement for Amirov is his physical strength, as adding strength will help him both with the physicality in the NHL as well as being more difficult to knock off the puck. Amirov could also grow in his confidence, as he has not quite clicked offensively in the KHL like he has in lower levels. However, both of these areas for growth should come with more development time. Though Amirov could make the jump to North America for the 2021–22 season, he likely would not see regular NHL ice time until at least 2022–23.

Projection

Amirov’s well-rounded game should allow him to be an effective NHL player down the road. Though he does possess strong offensive skills, Amirov will likely not become an elite-level point producer. Instead, Amirov can be expected to become a solid middle-six winger with the ability to contribute well at both ends of the ice with upside to be a good two-way threat on the second line.

What others are saying

“Shifty, aggressive and incredibly smart, Amirov impacts the game in all three zones with or without the puck. … More of an east-west skater with a wide stride who uses excellent agility and edgework to weave or curl his way past coverage, Amirov’s straight-line speed is very good, but it’s his anticipation coupled with the power of his stride that helps him create a sizable gap from back pressure. He has an acute sense of identifying and evading oncoming opponents, and he’s not shy from stopping on a dime and recalculating his next move. Amirov has a quick first step, but his directional changes in open ice are incredibly rapid and perfectly timed.”

— Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

“Amirov is touted as one of the best two-way players in the draft, and he lives up to the hype. He isn’t a physical presence on the ice; in fact, his physicality and strength are two of his biggest downsides. But, he does have excellent positioning in the defensive zone. Amirov covers passing and shooting lanes effectively and is great at creating turnovers that lead to breakouts for his team. In the MHL, he displayed his ability to quickly switch gears from defense to offense as soon as his team gained control of the puck. He shies away from board battles, but puts himself in open space for his teammates to use him as an outlet pass. At the KHL level, his defensive impact was slightly more subdued due to his lack of physical play, but the KHL is a difficult league to play in for young players.”

— Dylan Griffing / Dobber Prospects

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• Rockford IceHogs defenseman Joni Tuulola signed with KooKoo of the Finnish Liiga. Tuulola was not likely to see time with the Blackhawks and probably did not want to spend yet another season in the AHL. The Finland native played 114 games with Rockford over parts of the last three seasons and had 22 points (six goals, 16 assists). Chicago will retain his rights, but we have likely seen the last of the 24-year-old blue liner.
• Rockford IceHogs forward Tim Soderlund was loaned to Almtuna IS of the HockeyAllsvenskan league. The 22-year-old Swede split last season between Rockford and the Indy Fuel during an injury-plagued season. He was limited to 36 games and scored nine points (three goals, six assists).
• Blackhawks 2019 fourth-round draft pick left wing Michal Teply was loaned to BK Mlada Boleslav of the Czech League. Teply was signed to an entry level deal on April 4 after playing last season with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. He had a very successful year in Winnipeg, scoring 63 points (29 goals, 34 assists) in 53 games. He is likely slated to spend the 2020–21 season with the Rockford IceHogs if/when the NHL and AHL seasons open. Since he was initially drafted out of the Czech Republic, he can avoid the NHL/CHL agreement that would normally force players to return to the CHL rather than playing in the AHL.
• Rockford IceHogs center Philipp Kurashev was loaned to HC Lugano in Switzerland’s National A League. The 20-year-old 2018 fourth-round draft pick also suffered through an injury-plagued season on Rockford last season. Kurashev only appeared in 36 games and scored 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists).
• Recent Blackhawks signee Pius Suter was loaned to GCK Lions of Switzerland’s National B League. Suter was signed as a free agent on July 16 and is expected to compete for a roster spot with the Blackhawks when training camp eventually takes place.

The post Blackhawks news and notes — Sept. 8, 2020 appeared first on The Rink.

The #Blackhawks have signed free agent 21 y/o LW Cameron Morrison to 2 year Entry Level Deal. Drafted 2nd Round by Colorado ‘16 & did not sign with them this week, becoming free agent. Pursued by several teams.

27 Points in 37 games at Notre Dame.https://t.co/S3KeUtQSsr

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 18, 2020

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward played four years at Notre Dame and averaged almost 24 points per season in 149 games. He had a career high 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in his senior season with the Fighting Irish this past year.

Prior to playing with Notre Dame, Morrison played with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL and amassed 66 points (34 goals, 32 assist) in 64 games.

The scouting report on Elite Prospects states the following:

A big, strong all-around player who thinks the game at a high level and executes plays with purpose and drive. Accelerates well and has no issues getting around the ice with haste; transition game will need some tweaks. Very good vision and puck skills, and has the size to make a difference driving to the net and causing havoc for the opposition’s defense. Defensively sound, using his size to his advantage along the boards and getting his stick in place to deflect passes out of harm’s way. Moving forward, Morrison will have every opportunity to develop into a smart power forward who can play in all situations and make it difficult on the opposition.

The post REPORT: Blackhawks sign Notre Dame free agent Cameron Morrison appeared first on The Rink.

Kalynuk was drafted by the Flyers in 2017 but his rights expired this year. The 23-year-old, 6’1″, 181 lbs, left-handed defenseman played for three seasons under head coach Tony Granato at Wisconsin, serving as their captain this past season. Prior to college, he played three years in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars and Bloomington Thunder. He scored at least 25 points each of his three years at Wisconsin and was described by Granato as an “elite offensive defenseman that has the ability to run a power play.”

The signing could be a replacement for former fourth round pick Ryan Shea, who had a great season while also serving as team captain at Northeastern University this past spring but chose to not sign with the Blackhawks and is now an unrestricted free agent.

Kalynuk will have to fight through a pretty dense crop of defenseman to find his way to the NHL, but the path is no worse than it would have been with Philadelphia. The Flyers are stocked with a plethora of defenseman in their system under 24, as well. It’s expected that he will play in Rockford whenever the 2020-21 AHL season begins. Kalynuk will not be eligible to participate in the NHL’s Return to Play tournament this coming August.

Decent pick up for Chicago in a position where they already have some good young prospects that will push NHL roster. Kalynuk has some good offensive tools, skates well. Thought he played better in 2018-19 compared to this season, but has a good base of skills to work with. https://t.co/Oa5JdSqAsx

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) July 6, 2020

#Blackhawks pick up a solid prospect. As a Flyers fan I’m a little disappointed. Was excited to see what he could have brought to the team. But the Flyers do have a lot of depth throughout their defensive core so he mostly likely will have a better path to the NHL with Chicago. https://t.co/bgBGVJeKqR

— Clare McManus (@claremcmanuss) July 7, 2020

The post REPORT: Blackhawks to sign University of Wisconsin defenseman Kalynuk appeared first on The Rink.

With the Chicago Blackhawks likely picking toward the back end of the top 10 in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, I would like to unpack why the organization needs—yes, needs—to draft Russian goaltending phenom Yaroslav Askarov.

The current situation

It is no surprise there will soon be a changing of the guard in net for the Blackhawks. Longtime goaltender Corey Crawford is quickly approaching the end of his esteemed career, with likely just another year or two left in his tank, at most. Crawford’s recent injury struggles are well documented, and the netminder could be one collision away from being finished between the pipes.

Additionally, the Blackhawks balked at the opportunity to secure the long-term outlook of the position, trading away Robin Lehner at the trade deadline rather than locking him up to a contract extension.

With Crawford’s playing days likely coming to an end in the near future, the organization will need to answer the question of who will serve as the next Blackhawk great in the crease.

In addition to Crawford, backup goaltender Malcolm Subban is set to be a free agent this offseason. Subban, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Lehner deal, is 26 years old and will be a restricted free agent. The 2012 Boston first-round pick has struggled to establish himself as a legitimate NHL option, not seeing regular playing time until the 2017–18 season, playing 22 games for Vegas with a 2.68 goals against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage.

However, since then, Subban’s numbers have steadily dropped off, posting a 3.18 GAA and a .890 save percentage in 20 appearances for the Golden Knights this season before coming to Chicago, where he saw just 70 seconds of action on March 3 against Anaheim while Crawford was momentarily pulled from the game. Though the Blackhawks could choose to bring back Subban, he likely does not factor into the team’s long-term plans between the pipes, as his limited usage while in Chicago seems to indicate, meaning the organization needs to either acquire or develop its next big-time netminder.

The Blackhawks’ history of drafting goaltenders

Of course, some could point to the Blackhawks’ failure to draft and develop quality goaltending talent as a reason to pass on Askarov. Since selecting Crawford (and Mike Brodeur) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago has picked 12 goaltenders. Those 12 netminders have combined to make just one appearance in the NHL, as Kent Simpson played just 20 minutes in a 7–3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 14, 2013, allowing two goals on seven shots faced.

However, on the contrary, of those 12 goaltenders, only three were selected in the first three rounds of a draft, with Simpson being the only second-round selectee (the last of three second-round picks that year) and none being chosen in the first round. The overwhelming majority of those 12 goaltenders could be described as the Blackhawks taking a flier to see if they might become something down the road, an unlikely proposition regardless of position as the draft progresses.

All this to say, the Blackhawks have not invested a high-end draft pick in a goaltender since Crawford, as he was the last netminder selected with one of Chicago’s first three picks in a draft.

Another important thing to note is the quality of player a team would ideally be looking for with a top-10 pick. As The Rink’s own John Jaeckel has pointed out previously, with a top-10 pick, a team should likely be hoping it can acquire a No. 1 center, a No. 1 defenseman or a No. 1 goaltender, or at worst, a future first-line winger capable of producing at a high-end level. Of course, by being at the bottom of the top 10, the likelihood of getting a No. 1 center or defenseman is not as high as it would be with a lottery pick, despite this year’s draft class widely being considered to be fairly deep. The other “No. 1” category? Bingo.

Additionally, many would argue the best draft strategy is to select the best player available, and if that player fills a need, even better. The draft is a valuable tool to restock the cupboards and develop the next great wave of talent for an organization. A team should be selecting players that improve its situation, whatever that may look like, regardless of position, timeline or nationality.

However, with the tandem Chicago was icing in net prior to the stoppage of play pretty clearly not being the long-term answer between the pipes, a thorough analysis of other goaltenders within the organization is warranted before potentially using a first-round pick on a netminder.

In the system

The Blackhawks currently have three goaltenders under contract for next season in Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins, who split time with the Rockford IceHogs this season. While Delia and Lankinen could prove to be serviceable backups at the NHL level, neither is likely to develop into a legitimate top-end starting goaltender. Tomkins likely does not have much of a future in the NHL, at least not in Chicago, as he is rather comfortably the third-best option of that trio.

Two goaltenders currently hold a minor-league contract or a professional tryout agreement (PTO), as 24-year-old Tom Aubrun was signed out of Norwich University earlier this month while 2014 sixth-round pick Ivan Nalimov signed a PTO with the IceHogs in March just prior to the stoppage of play.

Though Aubrun, a native of Chamonix, France, has boasted impressive numbers thus far in his career, he is likely a wild card at this point, having spent the last four seasons playing at the NCAA DIII level for the Cadets. Aubrun took over the starting job as a junior in 2018–19, posting a 1.70 GAA and .929 save percentage in 28 games before dominating all season long as a senior with a GAA of 0.77 and a save percentage of .967 in 27 outings, highlighted by a remarkable nine-game shutout streak prior to the remainder of the team’s season being canceled.

While Aubrun’s gaudy numbers do warrant attention, he will need to prove himself at a higher level of play before being considered to be a legitimate NHL option down the road. Aubrun will likely spend the 2020–21 season with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL.

Nalimov has been an interesting case since being selected by the Blackhawks in 2014. The Russian has bounced around in his native land, playing for seven teams since the start of the 2016–17 season with mixed results. Though Nalimov does have raw talent, he appears to be a headcase, which likely does not bode well for a chance at NHL stardom, especially at this stage of his career.

Unsigned prospects

Chicago owns the rights to three additional goaltenders on its reserve list, as Dominic Basse, Alexis Gravel and Wouter Peeters all stand without a contract in hand.

After struggling in his first season in North America in the USHL during the 2017–18 season, Peeters has since spent the majority of his time back in Europe, where he will likely remain for the rest of his career. The native of Belgium appears to be nothing more than a failed use of a third-round pick in 2016.

Like Aubrun, Basse is very much an unknown wild card at this point in time. Though possessing raw ability, the 2019 sixth-rounder is also an unproven commodity. Basse will head to Colorado College next season.

At this time, Gravel is likely the goaltender within the Blackhawks’ system with the highest ceiling, having displayed his ability well over the last four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. Though Gravel may have the potential to become a starting goaltender at the NHL level, that is far from a guarantee. Chicago will need to make up its mind on Gravel in the near future, as the organization will lose his rights on June 1 if he is not signed prior to then.

To summarize, while any one of the netminders currently within the organization could theoretically develop into a serviceable NHL option—after all, anything can happen, as some might claim—the likelihood any of them will become elite, Stanley Cup-worthy talents is extremely slim.

Other avenues for finding the goalie of the future

Of course, the Blackhawks could opt to sign a high-end free agent goaltender. But, by passing on bringing back Lehner, that route likely is not in the cards given the team did not want to spend the required money to do so after the big Swede fell into their lap last summer.

Chicago could also attempt to trade for a goaltender of the future, as it seemed they might have in March when rumors swirled of Russian prospect Ilya Sorokin’s rights heading to the Blackhawks. However, the price to acquire a young goaltender of that calibre in a trade would be high, and the organization has not successfully swung a deal for a goalie of the future since acquiring Jocelyn Thibault in 1998.

So, where does that leave the Blackhawks in terms of finding a long-term answer in the cage? How are the majority of elite goaltenders acquired? The NHL Entry Draft. Cue Askarov.

Why Askarov?

Askarov is widely considered to be the best goaltending prospect since Carey Price in 2005. What does that indicate? Askarov is viewed as a generational type of netminder. His draft stock is higher than other touted goaltenders over the last 15 years, including Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Samsonov and Spencer Knight. In fact, since Price and Tuukka Rask were selected in 2005, just 13 goaltenders have been chosen in the first round, seven of which have been since 2010.

Over the last decade, more and more teams have seemingly decided drafting a goaltender in the first round may not be worth their pick. This philosophy is evidenced by the somewhat drastic change in the number of netminders selected in the first round in the last two decades, as 22 goaltenders were selected in the first round between 2000 and 2009 compared to just seven from 2010 to 2019.

Some may also be leery of the “Russian factor,” as Askarov could theoretically never come over to play in North America. However, in recent years, the likes of Vasilevskiy, Samsonov and Igor Shesterkin have decreased that concern by showing high-end Russian goaltenders can very well make and follow through with the commitment.

Despite all this, Askarov has been considered a slam-dunk first-round pick for this year, with many proclaiming him worthy of a top-10 selection. Again, this is because of Askarov’s obvious talent and his potential to legitimately become a franchise-altering goaltender and annual Vezina Trophy candidate.

Askarov has been nothing short of sensational in nearly every stop of his young career. He has dominated in international tournaments against his age group over the past three seasons and has only come back down to earth in an average showing at the 2020 World Junior Championships, where he posted a 2.71 GAA and a .877 save percentage in five appearances. But, Askarov still had an impressive 2019–20 campaign otherwise, highlighted by a gold medal in the Gretzky Hlinka Cup and a strong showing in his first-ever KHL game for SKA St. Petersburg, a 23-save performance in a 4–2 win.

The stars align

As noted earlier, with nothing of substantial quality looming in the netminder pipeline, now is the time for the Blackhawks to break the trend and finally invest a quality draft pick in a goaltender. By filling that hole, the organization can entirely focus on other gaps in the system, knowing arguably the biggest vacancy is taken care of. And, with the best goaltending prospect in the last 15 years potentially being on the board when General Manager Stan Bowman announces Chicago’s newest draftee, the timing could not be any better.

The post Why the Chicago Blackhawks need to draft Yaroslav Askarov appeared first on The Rink.

After nixing an NHL deal with Chicago that would have put Mitchell into the fold with the Blackhawks this season, the 2017 second-round pick returned to Denver University for his junior season, where he served as the Pioneers’ captain. After a spell of “will he or won’t he” from the Blackhawks’ fan community, everyone can breathe a little easier knowing that the coveted defenseman will be playing his professional hockey with the Blackhawks.

Ian Mitchell headlined the Chicago Blackhawks’ NCAA prospects this season. (Photograph courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times)

An already accomplished NCAA prospect, Mitchell played with Team Canada this past December at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. He tallied a goal and an assist in four games played, helping Canada win their 16th Spengler Cup.

In three seasons playing at Denver, Mitchell skated in 116 games and tallied 89 points. He was part of the 2018 NCAA Championship team as a freshman and was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team in the 2017–18 season. Mitchell was named a NCHC Second Team All-Star as a sophomore in 2018–19 and a NCHC First Team All-Star this season as a junior. Mitchell was also named the Pioneers’ Team MVP this season with 32 points in 36 games played prior to the NCAA season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At 5-foot-11 and tipping the scales around 180 pounds, Mitchell is not the most physically imposing defenseman, but he played heavy minutes over the last two seasons at Denver and all indications are that he will be able to play at the speed and physical level seen in the NHL. It is important to note that Mitchell will need time to adjust and more than likely is not the singular missing piece to the Blackhawks’ woes defensively. But, signs do point to Mitchell getting a crack at the NHL right away once he joins the organization, which is hopefully sooner rather than later.

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The 6’3″, 195 lbs, 18-year-old wing was selected 105th overall by the Blackhawks last summer after a successful 23-game stint with the Czech Republic U18 team where he amassed 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists) in 25 games. Teply spent last season with the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, recording 63 points (29G, 34A). His 63 points and 34 assists led all WHL rookies while his 29 goals tied him for the league lead by rookies.

Teply represented his country at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships, the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships, and the 2017 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. His three-year contact ($825,833 AAV) runs through the end of the 2022-23 season.

It's official! Forward Michal Teply inked a three-year ($825,833 AAV) contract that runs through the 2022-23 season.#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/VLC6n5MmA6

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 10, 2020

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-z1DAPjH1j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Both Highmore and Lankinen signed two-year contract extensions, with year one (2020–21) being two-way deals and year two (2021–22) transitioning into one-way deals. Highmore’s deal comes with a $725,000 AAV ($700,000 NHL/$450,000 AHL in year one, $750,000 in year two), while Lankinen’s deal holds an $800,000 AAV ($750,000 NHL/$500,000 AHL in year one, $850,000 in year two).

Kevin Lankinen moves across the crease to stop a shot. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

This season, Highmore played in 21 AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs, tallying 12 points, as well as playing in 36 NHL games with the Blackhawks and notching six points. He has 49 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and was named an AHL All-Star in 2017–18 with the IceHogs.

Lankinen made 21 appearances with the IceHogs this season, holding a record of 8–10–2 with a 3.03 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. He was also recalled to the Blackhawks this season, but has yet to make his NHL debut. Lankinen has played in 40 career AHL games with the IceHogs, was named an AHL All-Star this season and helped Team Finland win the 2019 World Championship gold medal last summer.

The Blackhawks signed entry-level deals with two of their 2017 NHL Entry Draft picks, giving Penn State standout Evan Barratt a three-year deal and Russian prospect Andrei Altybarmakyan a two-year deal. Barratt’s contract holds an $870,000 AAV, while Altybarmakyan’s deal is worth $817,500 annually.

Evan Barratt skates in a game for Penn State during the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Heather Weikel)

Barratt was the 90th overall selection in 2017 by Chicago and has spent the last three years playing at Penn State. In 98 career NCAA games, Barratt scored 39 goals and totaled 95 points. He was part of Team USA’s U18 World Junior Championship gold medal team in 2017, took home a silver medal with Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Championships and was named to the First Team All-Big 10 list as a sophomore in the 2018–19 season.

Altybarmakyan was selected 70th overall by the Blackhawks in 2017 and has played in Russia his whole career. He has spent the majority of the last two seasons with HK Sochi in the KHL. He tallied six goals and 17 points this year with HK Sochi and has 23 points in 101 career KHL games.

Both Barratt’s and Altybarmakyan’s deals begin next season.

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Ian Mitchell could have signed a professional contract last season with the Hawks, but he made the decision to play his junior year at the University of Denver, noting that he wanted to dominate at the collegiate level; and that he did.  The Calahoo, Alberta native came into the Pioneers program as a freshman with high expectations.  Mitchell was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2017 NHL draft by Chicago and was committed to Denver, a team that had just won a national championship.  Mitchell was slated to take over for senior Will Butcher who had just won the Hobey Baker Award for the NCAA’s top men’s hockey player.

That year, the Pioneers were surprised to have a couple of their top players stick around for an extra year and try for another national title.  Now Sharks forward Dylan Gambrell, Ducks forward Troy Terry, and Panthers forward Henrik Borgstrom were a trio that made the Pioneers one of the most potent offenses in college hockey, and Mitchell had the keys to the powerplay.  Just like any freshman would do, Mitchell deferred to many of the upperclassmen but that didn’t mean he didn’t have the skills to be out there with them.  Mitchell often walked the blue line and created open lanes for his forwards to work their magic, knowing that one day it would be his turn to work his.  In his freshman year, Mitchell registered two goals and 28 assists, landing him a spot on the NCHC’s All-Rookie team.  The Pioneers ultimately fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Frozen Four regionals.

In Mitchell’s sophomore season, many thought Denver would take a step back with many of their top players departing for the pros, but a fresh crop of recruits helped the Pioneers get to their 17th Frozen Four appearance in school history.  The 2018-19 Denver team had one of the best defenses in the league and received great goaltending from freshman Filip Larsson.  They got significant contributions from Emilio Pettersen and Cole Guttman, two freshman who played the entire season together on the first line with senior Jarid Lukosevicious.  And to top it off, Denver had just lost head coach Jim Montgomery to the NHL and were led by rookie head coach David Carle.  Mitchell had another solid season with six goals and 21 assists.  The Pioneers fell just short of getting to the national championship game, losing in overtime to Cale Makar’s UMass Minutemen in Buffalo.

In that same year, Mitchell represented Team Canada in the World Junior Championships as an alternate captain.  He played alongside several NHL prospects selected in the first round such as Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, New York’s Noah Dobson, and New Jersey’s Ty Smith.  Unfortunately, Canada lost to Finland in overtime in the quarterfinals.

Ian Mitchell (@DU_Hockey) scores his first of the tournament to put up by one early in the second! #CANvsFIN #REPRESENT #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/IDXLJQFlAs

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2019

Entering his junior year at Denver, Mitchell was voted team captain and was on a mission to be Denver’s go-to guy.  In his first seven games, Mitchell had three goals and seven assists.  He went on to have seven multi-point games and score a career-high 32 points.  Mitchell also helped Team Canada win gold at the 2019 Spengler Cup.  The Pioneers had their ups and downs in the 2019-20 season, but it seemed like they were turning a corner.  Winners of four of their last six games, Denver concluded the season with a sweep of rivals Colorado College and were set to host Omaha in the first round of the NCHC playoffs.  It’s unfortunate that the NCAA tournament was canceled due to public health concerns, but there’s no doubt that Mitchell and his Pioneers would have been center stage in another chase for college hockey stardom.

So this leads us to the original question of the article of what are the Chicago Blackhawks getting in Ian Mitchell.  Now that you know the background story, here’s my take.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ian’s father and younger brother at a couple Pioneers games and they are definitely a hockey family.  Hockey is in his blood, as his uncle also played professional hockey.  Ian’s father Bill said to me that he spent countless hours with Ian teaching him the art of power skating, giving him the ability to jump into plays and also to keep up with some of the fastest forwards in his age group.  I know that there were significant changes to Ian’s game between his sophomore and junior seasons.

Knowing that professional hockey was on the horizon for him, Mitchell started training and changing his diet to be in the best hockey shape possible.  Not only did he take good care of his body, he took care of the people around him.  He is very well liked by his teammates and coaches, and is a natural-born leader.  Ian would always make time to say hello and shake my hand following post-game press scrums and was always a good quote.  The Blackhawks are getting a very high-character individual which is probably why they are so excited.  This is a player who is a big communicator on the ice and is highly competitive.

As for on-ice qualities, there is a lot to look forward to.  There has been a lot of growth in Mitchell’s game since his first Blackhawks prospect camp.  He’s bigger, stronger, faster, and comes with three years experience in one of college hockey’s toughest conferences in the NCHC.  Going against Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, and St. Cloud is no small feat, yet Mitchell and the Pioneers found success annually.

On the offensive side, Mitchell likes to compare his game to Tyson Barrie of the Maple Leafs.  He doesn’t have game-breaking speed, but he can get up the ice into the rush like Barrie and be just as dangerous as a forward.  His ability to get pucks through traffic using fakes and dekes has created a lot of chances for his forwards.  Mitchell also has an underrated slapshot.  A lot of the time, he will take a hard wrist shot if he has time from the top of the circle, but he can also rip it from the point and the puck gets to the net in a hurry.  I would say that Mitchell is the definition of a powerplay quarterback.  He is a triple-threat player from the point where he can shoot, pass, or skate at any time.  His scoring ability is just as good as anybody in college hockey, but he’s a natural playmaker.  Mitchell’s at his best when he’s setting up his teammates for layup goals after he does all the heavy lifting.

#Blackhawks prospect Ian Mitchell with a beautiful assist pic.twitter.com/3PEfXI8yd8

— Blackhawks Nation (@BlkHwkNationCHI) November 3, 2018

On the defensive side, it’s his hockey IQ that will wow you.  Mitchell plays with an active stick and can escape high-danger situations surprisingly without getting hit too often.  He can spin out of big checks and is phenomenal at breaking the puck out of the zone.  He can beat you with the stretch pass or he can skate it through the zone himself.  I will say that he has one of the best first passes out of the zone that I’ve seen the last few years in the conference.  Mitchell isn’t the overly aggressive type in front of the net, but he also won’t get pushed around.  I’ve seen him get into it after the whistle a few times, but he’s never put his team in a bad spot because of it.

Overall, the Blackhawks are getting a defenseman who can give fans some peace of mind, much like Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Niklas Hjalmarsson have done in years past.  Those three got the Blackhawks through multiple Stanley Cup Playoffs playing over 25 minutes a night, being trusted in every situation.  I’m not saying Mitchell is ready for that, but with the right development, he can rise to a top-four blueliner that Chicago can lean on in the future.  The Hawks have drafted a handful of top defensive prospects the last few years hoping to solidify their defensive core.  Those prospects have come and gone like a game of musical chairs, and it’s no surprise Mitchell is one of the few guys left with a seat at the table.

Stan Bowman likes what he sees out of Ian Mitchell, who is returning to Denver for his junior year. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/xTiFXmVcdj

— Eric Lear (@EricLear312) July 17, 2019

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In one of the biggest games of the year, the seniors came up big.  The Pioneers were also under some pressure from Western Michigan who swept Miami and drew pretty close to leapfrogging Denver.

Thank you, Seniors #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/ANeMCX1aQ7

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 8, 2020

Here’s how things played out:

Game 1

Friday night the Pioneers traveled to Colorado College with hopes of bringing home the Gold Pan.  It was senior night for the Tigers and they definitely made it exciting for the fans.  The Pioneers were dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 44 of 64 draws, and possessed the puck well.  Although there was no score in the first period, Denver tallied twice in the second with an Ian Mitchell shot that went off a defender and a Tyler Ward rebound goal.   But, with five minutes left in the game, CC wasn’t ready to call it quits.

The Tigers went on a four-on-three powerplay, desperate to get back into the game.  They cycled the puck low to high and Grant Cruikshank took a shot from the right circle.  Magnus Chrona made the save, but the rebound went right to Tigers senior Chris Wilke who scored the first goal of the game for CC.  Then with less than ten seconds left in the game, Wilke got a pass in the high slot and nailed the game-tying goal.  Overtime wasn’t enough so the game went to a shootout where Brett Stapley won it for the Pioneers.

ICYMI – @CWilkie44 scored two goals late in the third period as CC rallied to a 2-2 tie against 6th-ranked Denver. pic.twitter.com/jXWeQ0Dw3v

— CC Hockey (@CCTigerHKY) March 7, 2020

Game 2

There was no doubt that Saturday night’s season finale against CC was going to be big, but the crowd seemed to take it to another level.  The student section was constantly chanting and banging on the glass, making it a difficult environment for the Tigers.  Nick Halloran scored first for the Tigers on a breakaway, beating Chrona, but it was all Pioneers after that.  Denver would score five straight goals to beat CC 5-1.  Emilio Pettersen would score his 13th goal of the season, but Michael Davies stole the show with this backhand beauty over Matt Vernon.

What a pretty goal.

Michael Davies gives @DU_Hockey a 2-1 lead in the 2nd period. pic.twitter.com/exEOYeh7Dt

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 8, 2020

What’s next?

Denver begins their road to the Frozen Faceoff this weekend against No. 6 Omaha.  The Mavs are 3-7 in their last ten games, but they do have some impressive wins this season against North Dakota, Arizona State, and Wisconsin.  Omaha and DU only met twice this season in Denver back in January, where they tied both games.  The Pioneers will have to strike first and not let the Mavs hang around or they could steal a game.

Tickets are on sale now for this weekend’s best-of-three series vs Omaha.

The post Pioneers secure No. 3 seed in NCHC playoffs after Colorado College sweep appeared first on The Rink.

Regula has helped carry the load on the backend this season in for the London Knights. His 26 goals lead London in goals by a defenseman and are third on the team overall, while registering 31 assists for 57 points. For the season, Regula is a plus-34 and second on the team in power play goals with 14 tallies.

With the playoffs looming, London currently leads the OHL’s Western Conference with 84 points, holding a short lead over three other teams within four points. With Regula’s defensive awareness, offensive skills and leadership qualities, the Knights are in good hands moving forward into the post season.

Tape to tape @jasonwillms88 in OT
@AlecRegula finds the #OHL vet to lock down the @LondonKnights overtime victory pic.twitter.com/iTNeEpWkEC

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 27, 2020

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With just a home-and-home series with Colorado College left in the regular season, the Pioneers will need to finish strong, as Western Michigan and St. Cloud are just two and four points behind Denver in the NCHC standings, respectively.  Let’s recap what happened with St. Cloud.

Game 1

Friday night’s game was very competitive until the second period when St. Cloud decided to open things up.  After Emilio Pettersen scored his 11th goal on the season on the powerplay, the Huskies scored three straight in a span of ten minutes and that’s all St. Cloud needed to earn three points on Friday.  Shots for the Huskies, by period, were 5, 20, and 3, having clearly moved into preventative defense in the third period.

Huskies goaltender David Hrenak was phenomenal, allowing just one goal on 32 shots.  St. Cloud improved to an impressive 9-0-2 when leading their opponent after the second period. Illinois native Kevin Fitzgerald led the Huskies with two goals and an assist in a much-needed win for St. Cloud, who are also fighting for their playoff position.

Here are a few observations from Friday’s game:

• For the first time in nine starts this season, Devin Cooley was pulled after giving up four goals on 19 shots.
• After registering 11 shots on goal in the series with Miami, captain Ian Mitchell was limited to just one shot Friday night.
• Freshman forward Bobby Brink was held out again after sustaining a lower-body injury in the North Dakota series.

Power play, POWER GOAL!@DU_Hockey ties this baby up. pic.twitter.com/kbpTjWYlBp

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 29, 2020

Game 2

Saturday night’s game was a different story.  After head coach David Carle emphasized the Pioneers refocusing their efforts and staying out of the penalty box, the team turned in one of their best games of the season, defeating the Huskies 5-2.  Despite going 0-6 on the powerplay, the Pioneers had five different goal scorers with Liam Finlay, Jake Durflinger, Kohen Olischefski, Mitchell, and Pettersen all lighting the lamp.  After starting Friday’s game on different lines, Cole Guttman and Pettersen were reunited Saturday and combined for eight shots on goal.

As expected, this game was very physical with several roughing minors.  For the St. Cloud seniors, this was the last time they would skate for the Huskies at home and they weren’t about to go down easily.  If anything, St. Cloud sent a message that this wouldn’t be the last time both teams crossed paths.  It’s possible that in just a few weeks this could be a playoff matchup.

Pettersen extended his scoring streak to three games and has officially doubled his goals from last year with 12.  Finlay has his own point streak of four games, and Mitchell tied his career-high in points with 30.

Bullseye @IanMitch15 #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/WLb00bKLeR

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 1, 2020

What’s next?

The Pioneers face off against their bitter rivals, the Colorado College Tigers, as they wrap up the Battle for the Gold Pan.  Denver swept the Tigers back in December, winning 3-0 and 3-1.  Colorado College is currently 8th in the NCHC and coming off two losses at home against Minnesota-Duluth.  The Tigers wouldn’t like anything better than to play spoiler for the Pioneers.  You can catch Saturday night’s game at Magness Arena on CBS Sports Network at 8:07 mountain time.

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Then there is Ryan Shea.

A four-year college defenseman at Northeastern University who was a fifth-round selection by the Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL Draft, Shea is a relatively under-the-radar prospect in the Chicago system that will have his future decided with the organization in a few short months. Shea is the captain for the Huskies in senior season that has Northeastern ranked tenth in the nation. With 29 points in 28 games this season, Shea is on pace to double his previous career-high in points (17) and could finish the year in the top-five of scoring defensemen when all is said and done.

I had the chance to talk with Shea as he and the Huskies prepare for a home-and-home series against sixth-ranked Boston College this week. We spoke about his development from draft day to his senior year, what being a three-time Beanpot champion means, and his future with the Blackhawks organization.

“You start to think about how you got to this point and who got you here…”

Through three years playing at Northeastern University, Ryan Shea was a steady, two-way defenseman. He wasn’t flashy and wasn’t blowing people away with gaudy production numbers. But that was never his role; Shea has always put the focus of his game on the defensive side first.

“I’m definitely not considering myself an offensive defenseman at all,” Shea explained about his new-found explosion on offense. “After Jérémy Davies signed early this year, there were some more offensive responsibilities put on my shoulders, which is why you see the numbers I’m getting this year, but I’ve always been very strict about my defensive game.”

Shea is tied for second on the Huskies in points and leads the team with 24 assists. While Shea doesn’t want his numbers to fool anyone into thinking he’s going to be a powerplay expert at the next level, his skills as a puck-moving defenseman who can make the right plays is going to be his calling card once he makes the jump to the professional ranks.

BOSTON, MA. FEB 3: Northeastern Huskies celebrate after beating Harvard Crimson , Monday, February 3, 2020, during the first game of Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden in Boston (Jim Michaud / MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

“I want to go out as part of the class that has the most wins in Northeastern hockey history. We still have a chance at that.”

Shea’s winning ways at Northeastern have him and the rest of the Huskies Class of 2019-20 on the verge of setting the class wins record for the program. With 85 wins and counting over the last three seasons and change, Shea’s senior class is already the second-winningest in program history, only behind last year’s senior class of 2018-19 which finished with 90 wins.

Northeastern has won the Hockey East championship and the Beanpot tournament in the same season twice, once in 1987-88 and again last season in Shea’s junior year. Getting the Beanpot again this season sets the Milton, Massachusetts native up to be the Captain of one of the most successful Senior classes in program history.

“It never gets old winning that tournament”

When Shea arrived at Northeastern, the Huskies hadn’t won a Beanpot tournament in nearly 30 years. His father, Dan Shea, played four years at Boston College from 1984-1988 but never won a Beanpot tournament title. Growing up 15 minutes south of Boston, the Shea family has always been connected to the tournament. “We grew up watching the Beanpot, we went to it every year. It’s been in my family for such a long time.”

In his sophomore year, the streak was broken after Northeastern topped Boston University, 5-2. The next season, Northeastern won back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1984 and 1985 tournaments. As a senior, the captain of the team, Shea was looking to be part of the eighth team to win at least three Beanpot titles in-a-row.

“The amount of alumni and fan support behind us just brought the moment to another level. It never has gotten old.”

Blackhawks prospect Ryan Shea raises the Beanpot Trophy after winning the Beanpot tournament in Boston on February 10, 2020. (Photo credit: Jim Pierce-Northeastern)

In a frantic Beanpot Final this year, Northeastern was mere moments away from sealing their third-straight title before Boston University tied the game with less than two seconds remaining in regulation. After a five minute overtime period, the Final would head to double overtime.

“It was definitely nerve-wrecking,” Shea recalled of the long night. “The most important part for our team that night was getting out of the five-minute overtime. They were taking it to us. After we regrouped in the locker room, we got back on the same page. It was a great overtime for both teams, I can’t imagine watching it because it was so intense playing in it.”

The final breakthrough that Northeastern needed in the double overtime period came at the hands of Shea himself, drawing a penalty. But it wouldn’t be without controversy.

Northeastern’s #Beanpot Final game-winning goal came on a Powerplay in 2OT. Here is the penalty “drawn” by #Blackhawks prospect Ryan Shea to setup the eventual winning Powerplay #NCAA #CawlidgeHawkey pic.twitter.com/CTCV9XxR5P

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) February 11, 2020

“Obviously there’s a lot of people who were not happy with the way it ended, but that’s just how it happened. There were calls missed on them against us and missed calls on us against them, but I don’t think it’s something you can blame on the officials. They made a call in a high-pressure moment and took advantage of it.”

Northeastern would go on to score on the ensuing powerplay, which Shea was on the ice for, topping Boston and winning their third-straight Beanpot title.

“It’s possible I could be reunited with him and that would be pretty fun.”

After the satisfaction of winning the Beanpot begins to subside, and the final weeks of the season creep up, Shea is reminded of a former teammate that had a similar path to the Blackhawks organization. A sixth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, Dylan Sikura was a star at Northeastern in his four years as a Husky. He was part of the 2017-18 Huskies squad that won the first of three-straight Beanpot titles alongside Shea and signed his entry-level deal with the Blackhawks shortly after finishing his senior year in Spring 2018.

Ryan Shea and Dylan Sikura celebrate a goal for Northeastern during the 2017-18 season. (Photo courtesy of Northeastern University)

“When he was here, he was one of my best friends on the team,” Shea said of his relationship with Sikura. “The communication between me and him is always open. He loves it there and he has his brother [Tyler Sikura] there too, which is awesome. He just tells me to take my time and make the best decision for myself and my family. He’s given me nothing but positive thoughts on the organization and the city.”

“The feedback has been nothing but great…”

The season is winding down for Shea with Northeastern; only three more weeks remain before postseason play begins. If all goes according to his plans, Shea will be finishing his year winning the program’s first-ever National Championship and wrapping up the year on April 11. That timeframe would leave no games remaining for the Blackhawks or IceHogs, unless either makes the postseason, to see Shea play at the professional level. The Blackhawks organization would have a few months left to reach an entry-level deal with Shea before the August 15 deadline where his draft rights with Chicago would expire.

Northeastern’s Ryan Shea #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ABUHYZhLxE

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

“I feel like I’ve done a good job of not letting that distract me this year, especially as the season gets closer to the end. But every prospect at this point starts to think about going to the next level. Chicago and their staff has been nothing but good to me and have helped me with my development an incredible amount, so I have no problems with them. Chicago is an unbelievable spot and I know Rockford is too, so hopefully I can keep playing good hockey here and the organization likes what they see from me.”

Northeastern is set to take on Boston College this week, a matchup of two top-ten programs in the country. Shea knows that some of the Blackhawks brass will be in town for the high-profile contests and remains focused on finishing his year as strong as possible. With his professional future ahead of him, Shea’s focus on his legacy at Northeastern has set him up to be a highly valuable player for any organization, whether it is in fact Chicago or not.

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The Bristol, Pennsylvania, native used his strong skating ability to work hard to get to the net on several occasions. Much of the night, Barratt was parked in front of the Badgers’ goaltender, screening him from shots or working hard battling for rebounds. Barratt’s positioning in front of the net is very good. He uses his strong lower half to fight off opponents, allowing him to see the puck coming on net and has good hand-eye coordination to make tips. He was knocked off balance from behind, like one should, a few times looking for pucks at his feet to pounce home for rebounds, but could not find the back of the net.

His playmaking ability did not result in any assists for Barratt but he did finish the game plus-two. Although not a great stat, Barratt’s linemates did generate offense and he was around the net or making plays throughout the neutral zone much of the night. His ability to make plays at top speed was impressive. On several occasions, Barratt found teammates with nice “area plays,” which resulted in offensive zone time for the Nittany Lions.

Defensively, Barratt uses an active stick to get into passing lanes and tip passes. He is strong in the corners and works hard to win puck battles. Through the neutral zone, he is active on his edges and forces opponents into his teammates, forcing pucks to be dump in deep, where Penn State wins a lot of battles. To say Barratt likes to get into the tough areas, in the offensive zone as well, would be an understatement. He played a hard-nosed game all night defensively and played the body any chance he could.

Barratt did struggle at the face-off circle, winning only three of the 11 draws he took, second most on the team. His lack of success could be a result of losing some 50-50 battles because of his linemates. A win here or there and he is closer to 50%. Also, Wisconsin brings a force of centers that are very good on draws. This is something that is not alarming, as Barratt may project a little better on the wing at the professional level.

On the season, Barratt has 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 32 games. The junior’s 11% shooting percentage is down from last season’s 18%, but as we see with Alex DeBrincat this season in Chicago, those numbers can definitely fluctuate from season to season. Barratt leads the team with four game-winning goals.

Barratt is the type of player you know you played against when the night is over, even if he does not end up on the scoresheet. Whether it was his net front presence, work in the neutral zone or along the boards in his own zone, Barratt was motoring at 100%. He may lack the overall skills to fit into a top-six forward role consistently in the NHL, but he may be the the third-line contributor that chips in offensively, plays a smart 200-foot game and let opponents know he is going to make them earn every inch of the ice when he is over the boards.

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For a college hockey fan like myself, I only came across The Beanpot tournament in the last decade. The tournament is held annually in Boston between Northeastern University, Harvard, Boston University, and Boston College. It originally began in 1952 and has been held on the first two Mondays of February each year since at the famed Boston Garden (TD Garden), although the inaugural Beanpot tournament took place at the Boston Arena. It holds a special place among the rich tradition of hockey in the Boston area and forever holds collegiate bragging rights in the city for those who hoist the Beanpot Trophy.

The 68th Beanpot Tournament this year features three Blackhawks prospects with Jake Wise and Alex Vlasic of the Boston University Terriers and Ryan Shea, captain of the defending back-to-back Champion Northeastern Huskies. Last night, Northeastern topped Harvard and Boston University came back against Boston College setting up all three Blackhawks prospects in next Monday’s Final. Shea and the Huskies have an opportunity to win the Beanpot Tournament for a third time in-a-row, while Vlasic and Wise could help give the Terriers their first Beanpot Title since 2015.

Shea, Northeastern going for seventh Beanpot Title

In the opening game of the tournament, the 12th-ranked Northeastern Huskies topped 17th-ranked Harvard 3-1 to advance to next Monday’s Final against Boston University. The Huskies were led by Chicago Blackhawks 2015 fourth-round draft pick and captain Ryan Shea as he tallied a primary assist and an empty-net goal in the victory.

Zach Solow with a deflection goal.

Tyler Madden (VAN) hovers all over the offensive zone to find open ice. Great pass from Madden to Ryan Shea (CHI). Shea's shot gets deflected.#Blackhawks #Canucks pic.twitter.com/hGOzpoJ1BS

— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) February 3, 2020

Shea’s two-point night gives him a point-per-game pace this season for the Huskies with 24 points in 24 games played. He has set NCAA career-highs in goals (4), assists (20) and points (24) this season with Northeastern.

Ryan Shea of Northeastern addressed the media following his team's Beanpot semifinal win over Harvard. pic.twitter.com/X7d2BhUUHz

— NESN (@NESN) February 4, 2020

Shea and the Huskies head to their third-straight Beanpot Final, looking to bring home their seventh tournament championship in program history. Northeastern has had the least success of the four schools involved in the tournament historically, but their recent success as of late can be attributed in part to Shea and former Husky and current Rockford IceHogs standout Dylan Sikura. Sikura was part of the Northeastern squad along with Shea that started the road to a three-peat back in 2017. While his long-term future is unclear with the Chicago Blackhawks, Shea’s immediate future lies with leading his Huskies squad to the Final against Boston University, looking to be the first three-peat winners since Boston College won five-straight from 2010 to 2014.

Vlasic, Wise and Boston advance past Boston College in overtime

In an even more thrilling contest Monday night, the Boston University Terriers upset the fourth-ranked Boston College Eagles 5-4 in double overtime to advance to the Beanpot Final and set up a rematch from the 2018 tournament final, won by Northeastern.

The Terriers were powered by multi-point efforts on the night from David Farrance (goal, two assists), Patrick Harper (goal, two assists), and Schaumburg, Illinois native Patrick Curry (goal, assist). Wise was held off the scoresheet and Vlasic tallied a secondary assist on the game’s overtime-winning goal from Wilmer Skoog.

Wilmer Skoog nets the winner to put BU into the Beanpot final. #BUvsBC #Beanpot (via @NESN) pic.twitter.com/yHFMSeKvO7

— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) February 4, 2020

For the freshman Vlasic, he tallied his fourth assist on the season as he continues his transition to the college hockey level of competition. A second-round pick by the Blackhawks this past June and native of Wilmette, Illinois, Vlasic projects to be a player that the Blackhawks hope to be able to slot into their defensive rotation at the NHL level in the next two or three seasons. At six-foot-six and 200-pounds, Vlasic is an imposing physical presence on the ice and moves well for his size and age on the ice.

Wise hasn’t been the same player that the Blackhawks drafted in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Injuries have derailed his progression since joining the Boston University program. In 25 games this season, Wise has just one goal and six assists. It appeared Wise was headed for a fast-track with the Blackhawks just two years ago, but his NHL projection has slowed and his return to health and return to form are what the organization need from him.

What’s Next?

The 68th Beanpot Tournament Final takes place on Monday, February 10 at the TD Garden in Boston. The consolation game takes place on the same day, with a 3:30 p.m. CST puck drop. The Final puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. CST and can be found on the NHL Network. Boston University is searching for their tournament-best 31st title, while Northeastern looks for Beanpot Championship number seven.

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Kirby Dach
Dach has been a nice addition to Chicago this season, but the plan for Dach has been obvious. Jeremy Colliton and staff were to take it easy with him early on in the season and allow him to adjust to playing professional hockey against men, a big step up from his days in Saskatoon.

The 19-year-old forward has found the back of the net seven times in 45 games so far this season to go along with his seven assists, all this while averaging 13:36 of ice time. He has only played 16 minutes or more a night 10 times this season, eight of those coming since Dec. 29.

At 6-foot-4 and 197 pounds, the Alberta native has shown an ability to use his size to protect the puck and find his way to the net against smaller defenseman. This skill will only get better as he matures and develops his professional game.

Dach has also looked solid in his own zone. Many rookies struggle defensively with structure and positioning, but Dach has made a smooth transition in this area. Chicago fans should take this as a huge positive when it comes to the rookie, as he seems to “get it between the ears” when he is on the ice.

As he gains more ice time and trust from the coaching staff, Dach is here to stay in Chicago’s top-six forward group for years to come.

Kirby Dach (@kdach77) goes top shelf via the backhand.

Oh, and it's a birthday goal. pic.twitter.com/JwIqDXXzp1

— NHL (@NHL) January 22, 2020

Alex Vlasic
With only three points in 21 games on the backend for Boston University this season, many would assume the 18-year-old is struggling for the Terriers. This could not be further from the truth. College hockey is quite the adjustment for freshman defensemen and Vlasic has shown he has the skills to play against tough competition.

The Wilmette, Illinois, native uses his size and solid hockey IQ to his advantage when on the ice. His ability to adjust is an excellent sign for Chicago fans. Stan Bowman needed to add size in last year’s draft and Vlasic stands 6-foot-6-and 199 pounds. Vlasic’s 19 blocks on the season places him fourth on the Terriers this season.

Expect the freshman to finish strong this season while being trusted in all situations for the Terriers.

Alex Vlasic makes a clean block and an interception to allow the shorthanded Terriers to clear the zone. Good penalty-killing by the freshman. #BUvsMC (via @CBSAllAccess) pic.twitter.com/Q6detLotn0

— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) January 18, 2020

Michal Teply
Chicago’s third pick in the fourth round, Teply showed well in camp and found his way to the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League. With 15 goals in 34 games, the forward can light the lamp while finding his teammates with 22 assists. As a point-per-game player, Teply needs to work on his defensive-zone talents.

The Czech Republic native showed well again offensively during the World Junior Championships this season. His five assists in five games is a testament to his skills. With that being said, his -5 rating in as many games shows his difficulty keeping the puck out of his own net, even if the stat is flawed.

Teply scores his second of the night 7 seconds into the power play!

ICE take a 4-2 lead!

Michal Teply
Peyton Krebs
Isaac Johnson pic.twitter.com/DIL35n4u6b

— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) January 26, 2020

Antti Saarela
The Finnish forward had a rough showing at the World Junior Championships this season with zero points in seven games. He also finished with a -5 rating during the tournament. But, as an 18-year-old in the tournament, Chicago fans should not be worried.

The winger has shown the ability to play against men in the Liiga back home in Finland. The left-handed shooting forward has 10 points in 26 games for fourth place on Ilves. His struggles at the World Juniors looks more like an anomoly than the norm.

Antti Saarela started scoring for Ilves. He was not the most productive player at the WJC but founds ways to score in Liiga. Also had an assist later in the period. pic.twitter.com/5bXDqChcjs

— yp (@jrabane) January 18, 2020

Dominic Basse
A surprise pick by Bowman in the sixth round, Basse found himself playing for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League. Despite sporting a 3.77 goals against-average and a .881 save percentage, Basse’s stats should not be taken too seriously for now, as the USHL can be a difficult place to play for young goaltenders.

At 6-foot-6 and 197 pounds, Basse uses his positioning and athleticism to his advantage. In several viewings this season, Basse has made some highlight-reel saves while giving up a few “soft” goals from time to time, which, again, is common for a young goaltender in the USHL.

Basse is committed to Colorado College and will have options on his plans for next season over the summer.

@dominic_basse with the saves tonight! Let’s go Phantoms! https://t.co/T47b9DGR7S

— x – Youngstown Phantoms (@YtownPhantoms) November 30, 2019

Cole Moberg
Moberg finished out Chicago’s draft when he was selected in the seventh round. The Prince George Cougars assistant captain has 22 points in 39 games. The North Vancouver native has six goals in his third season with the Cougars.

Moberg has shown he can put points on the board while playing a solid defensive game in his own zone. As a seventh-round pick, the expectations are always low, but Moberg could surprise the Chicago brass.

https://twitter.com/JDylanBurke/status/1192305404086116352

The post Catching up with Chicago’s 2019 NHL Entry Draft selections appeared first on The Rink.

The team, as a whole, dominated play through all three periods, with all five skaters active across the zones. Captain Ian Mitchell was a huge part of that success, registering two assists and a stunning shorthanded game-winner. Forward Hank Crone joined Mitchell in leading the scoreboard with two goals on the night, including the icebreaker and a powerplay goal in the third.

You can watch Mitchell’s highlight-reel goal here:

This is Ian Mitchell at his best. #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/4ARdBCEA4q

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 11, 2020

Scoring went back and forth through the first two periods before Mitchell went coast-to-coast on the shorthanded game-winner. That opened the third period to an offensive onslaught from the Pioneers, who scored twice more to solidify a decisive victory over the Huskies. Hank Crone and Kohen Olischefski opened the Pioneer scoring in the first; Ryan Barrow tallied the sole Pioneers goal of the second; and Mitchell, Crone, and Liam Finlay closed it out in the third. St. Cloud’s goals came courtesy of Jack Poehling, Easton Brodzinski, and Chase Brand.

The Pioneers let their special teams shine in the second and third, going 2-for-3 on the powerplay and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.

The entire game was characterized by the Pioneer’s excellent puck possession in the offensive zone, helped by the fact that the entire team was skating with speed. They unleashed a season-high 48 shots on goal, though the majority of the goals were scored by excellent puck movement in front of the net and by taking advantage of rebounds.

Mitchell summed the game up perfectly when asked about the team’s offensive explosion: “When we play like that we’re going to be a tough team to beat.” 

It was the sort of game that the Pioneers needed. Mitchell admitted in the postgame that the team had dug themselves a bit of a hole in the first half in the standings. The team is now on a six-game win streak after sweeping St. Cloud, and they now sit at 15-4-3, 5-3-2-1. 

The post Ian Mitchell Leads DU to 6-3 win over St. Cloud appeared first on The Rink.

One of the Pioneers goals tonight came in the second period from forward Jake Durflinger.  The junior from Walnut Creek California plays on the checking line for the Pioneers and knows a thing or two about bringing energy.  He is often mixing it up with opponents and fighting for the pucks in the “dirty areas.”  Saturday night was no different.

The-Rink caught up with Durflinger after the Pioneers 6-1 win.

On his second period goal against Western Michigan

“We were at the end of our shift and our defenseman made a good play turning the puck up playing fast.  Jack made a smart play getting it deep and Wardo did a good job getting to the net like we talked about all night on this goalie.  I was in the right spot at the right time.”  

Pucks in Deep: 101 #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/TiRyc2B3Zk

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 24, 2019

What has David Carle said to the team recently about staying positive?

“It’s just about staying calm.  We’re a confident group even though the last five games struggling to find a win.  We stayed confident in the room and stuck to our process.  We had to get back to it a bit, we strayed away from it for a few games and that’s why games didn’t result in a win.  But tonight we were able to get back to our process which ended up with a good win.”

What has been your advice to younger players on the team?

“Every night is going to be a good team, it doesn’t matter who it is in the NCHC.  It’s the best conference in college hockey so we have to be ready every night and instill in our younger guys that if we stick to the process we’re going to win hockey games.”

On the return of Devin Cooley

“It’s awesome.  He’s a big part of our team.  He’s proven with a lot of success last year and he’s worked really hard all summer to come back from injury.  It was awesome to get that win for him.”

On what makes this year’s Pioneers team special

“We’ve had good teams in my first two years here but we want to go further.  We think… we know we have a special group but we have to accomplish it.  That was a good first NCHC win, but now we need to get on a roll.”

The post Durflinger adds much needed energy to Pioneers’ 6-1 win vs Western Michigan appeared first on The Rink.

The 6’4″, 205 lbs Regula was drafted the third round of the 2018 NHL entry draft by the Red Wings. He joined the London Knights that next season and is in his third season with the club. Last season, he played the entire year with current Blackhawks defenseman Adam Boqvist. In 14 games with the Knights this season, he has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists). Regula will be eligible to join either the Blackhawks or Rockford IceHogs when his season with the OHL London Knights is complete.

The Blackhawks will be back on the road Wednesday to face the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 pm CST.

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks sign Alec Regula to entry level deal appeared first on The Rink.

Byram joined James Cybulski and Mike English on Sportsnet 650 this week to discuss his journey to the NHL, his schedule for this season, and the outlook of this year’s Giants team.

Now: @WHLGiants star defenceman @BowenByram joins #TheStartingLineup with @JamesCybulski and Mike English!

The Giants face off tonight at 7:30 at the Langley Events Centre against the Portland Winterhawks

Listen: https://t.co/mDLZc4njsd pic.twitter.com/JBHaG6Rfx4

— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) November 8, 2019

Was it hard going back to juniors?

It was pretty hard since my goal was to play in the NHL this year, but at the same time I need to be honest with myself and I wasn’t ready to play.  I think being honest with myself made it a lot easier to come back and I was excited to be back.  I have a lot of friends here and I knew we were going to have a good team.  It’s definitely wasn’t my number one priority where I wanted to be over the summer but now that I’m back I’m super excited to have another playoff run here.

Byram on his upcoming schedule

I leave on Tuesday to fly to Saskatoon for the two WHL vs Russia games.  Then I’m back after those, and hopefully, I get an invite to the World Juniors tryout camp that starts in early December.  My goal is to play in the World Juniors so I hope I’m involved in that process.

On the Vancouver Giants expectations to be a Memorial Cup contender

We have an extremely different team than we had last year with a lot of new faces, pieces, and a lot of young guys.  I think the transition may take longer than we hoped but I think we’re still a really good team and we’ve proven that when we play at our best.   We just need to find a way to play our best on a more consistent basis.  That’s what we’re working on right now.  But we’re still a great team.  We’ve got a great defense, goaltending, and a young but exciting group up front.  It’s been a tough start of the year but we’re finding our groove and this is a huge weekend against Portland.  We didn’t beat them last year so this is a couple of games that we want to get.

On newly acquired Joona Kiviniemi

He’s from Finland and is a really good guy from how I’ve gotten to know him so far.  He’s a really good player too.  He’s smart, he skates well and shoots the puck really well so he’s definitely a great addition to our team.  It’s sad to see Sergei go.  He was a great guy and really liked in the dressing room but sometimes you need to shake things up.  Joona is a super good guy and should be a really good player for us.

What was the coolest thing you experienced being with the Avalanche?

The coolest thing for me happened during my last exhibition game in Vegas.  They dressed quite a few of their good players with Shea Theodore, Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault, and Paul Stastny.  It was pretty cool to be on the ice with those guys.  I grew up watching them and Theodore has been one of my favorite defensemen for a while now.  And the building in Vegas was crazy, the fans were unbelievable.  Even for an exhibition game it was sold out and bumping.  I’m so thankful for that opportunity and hopefully, I can make the jump next year.

Was there any player that surprised you on the ice?

Nathan MacKinnon is even better than you think.  It’s pretty crazy with his skill, speed, and how driven he is.  It was pretty crazy to watch.

Did you see the Avalanche score six goals in eight minutes last night?

Yeah, that was pretty crazy.  Hopefully, we can get something going like that this weekend.

The post Bowen Byram talks Vancouver Giants, World Juniors, and his experience with the Avalanche appeared first on The Rink.

I get the utmost pleasure of bringing you coverage and updates of the Blackhawks’ prospects in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) all season long! Last year was a busy year in the CHL, as the likes of Adam Boqvist, Nicholas Beaudin, Philipp Kurashev, and Mikael Hakkarainen were all tearing up either the CHL or USHL. However, all of those players have graduated to the AHL and you can find further coverage on them with Mario. Now, the cupboard is bare in the CHL with only three current prospects across the three leagues—the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—that make up the CHL, with a potential fourth, which we will get to.

This article is designed to give you an understanding of what to expect from each of the Blackhawks’ CHL prospects so you are prepared to follow along with our coverage all season!

Michal Teply

The Blackhawks’ first fourth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (105th overall) was originally drafted out of the Czech Republic back in June.

Michal Teply skates toward the net looking to make a play for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec in the Czech Republic. (Photograph courtesy of Jiri Princ / Billi Tygri Liberec)

Teply is a big winger, standing 6-foot-3 inches and weighing 187 pounds, with a good shot. He has the potential to become a good scoring wing that provides excellent depth for the Blackhawks. However, he will certainly have to work on his skating. During the Blackhawks’ prospect camp scrimmage this past summer, Teply was sprung on a breakaway only to stop his feet and ultimately get caught from behind by the third overall selection in 2019, Kirby Dach. Teply was never a very strong skater, but that play seemed to reinforce that notion.

Aside from his skating, the most notable growth Teply will need is adjusting to North American ice. After being a mainstay on Czech national teams growing up, he has only ever really played on the much wider European ice. If he hopes to have a successful NHL career, the biggest adjustment in order to accomplish that goal will be transitioning successfully to the smaller, faster North American ice.

Teply was drafted twice this past summer, also being selected in the WHL Import Draft, where he was taken fourth overall by the Winnipeg Ice. Through nine games with the Ice as of Oct. 15, Teply currently leads the team in goals (four) and points (eight), while being tied for second in assists with four. The young Czech winger has, so far, lived up to the hype of his import draft slot.

Teply’s progression during this season in the WHL will be telling of his potential pro future. The WHL is known as a tough league, rarely having 100-point scorers that are not veterans of the league. I am not saying Teply will put up 100 points, but if he can average a point per game or better, that will be beneficial for his development and future outlook within the Blackhawks’ organization.

Cole Moberg

The seventh-round pick from the Prince George Cougars in the WHL could be poised to become the gem of Stan Bowman’s 2019 draft class. The defenseman has excellent size for his age (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) and possesses good skating ability along with a cannon of a shot from the point.

Cole Moberg celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Giants. (Photograph courtesy of the Vancouver Giants / Rik Fedyck Photography)

Moberg is coming off a 40-point campaign in the WHL last season, playing in 61 games. The right-handed defenseman also tallied 13 goals and had five power play points during the campaign. The Blackhawks snatched him up in the seventh round, which could make Moberg a gem in their most recent draft class.

Fellow The-Rink writer Juliana Nikac and I both really like Moberg, as heard on one of our latest episodes of The Rinkcast. I compared Moberg to Jason Garrison, before age caught up to the defenseman. He possessed an excellent shot from the point, similar to Moberg, although I believe Moberg will ultimately be a better skater than Garrison.

In only four games as of Canadian Thanksgiving, Moberg has registered one goal and one assist for the Cougars. Moberg currently sits in ninth for team scoring despite playing half as many games as his teammates. 

Keep an eye on Moberg this season in Prince George. He could really surprise a lot of people and be an excellent second or third-pairing defenseman for the Blackhawks down the road.

Alexis Gravel

Goaltender Alexis Gravel is coming off an incredible season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. After being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Gravel posted a 33-win season for the Mooseheads and another 14 playoff wins, leading the Mooseheads to a QMJHL championship appearance. 

Alexis Gravel skates for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. (Photograph courtesy of Shawn Davidson / QMJHL)

Gravel has impressed a lot of people given where he was drafted. After his excellent season last year and a solid showing at prospect camp, Gravel returned to Halifax looking to pick up where he left off.

However, the season did not begin as planned. After two games, Gravel gave up eight goals in just over four periods of play during the Mooseheads’ games on Sept. 20 and 21. After sitting for a few weeks, Gravel started back-to-back games during the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, picking up two wins and only yielding a total of three goals. The second game was the most impressive for Gravel, as he stopped 49 of 50 shots on goal and picked up the big win to make it five straight wins for Halifax.

Gravel is a big goalie, standing at 6-foot-3 inches and 219 pounds. The young netminder has certainly shown promise in Halifax and the potential to be a part of the Blackhawks’ future plans as one of their two goalies. On the low end, he seems like he could be an AHL regular who can spot start as needed. On the high end, conservatively, he could be a backup goalie in the NHL.

Keep an eye on Gravel this season as he looks to replicate, and possibly improve on, his impressive run last year in the QMJHL.

Kirby Dach

Kirby Dach is most certainly the wildcard of the entire group being previewed. Yes, he is technically still with the Blackhawks, as he is on a rehab stint in Rockford as of Canadian Thanksgiving. However, once Dach gets his nine-game tryout, if the Blackhawks deem he is not ready for the NHL, he would return to the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL where he would likely “bum slay” the competition. 

Kirby Dach skates with the Saskatoon Blades. (Photograph courtesy of Marissa Baecker / Getty Images)

Dach has excellent size, and if able to quickly adjust to the NHL game, could make an impact on the Blackhawks’ roster this season. However, it is likely that he will return to the Blades, at which time, there will be a nice feature on the young center and what to watch for this season.

For now, all fans will be monitoring the situation with Dach, wondering whether he will stick in the NHL all year or return to the WHL and fine tune his game to be an impact piece on the Blackhawks’ roster next season.

Follow The-Rink on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for prospect coverage all season! And, follow me everywhere, too (@rnldluce). See you out on The-Rink.

The post CHL: Get to know the Blackhawks’ CHL prospects appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks are finally coming out of their transition phase where the investments they have made from a couple of poor seasons are finally beginning to pay dividends. Premier prospects such as Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell are just a few players who have been in the system that are on the fringe of professional hockey careers. Beaudin and Boqvist will be traveling between Rockford and Chicago as they begin their careers with the Hawks, while Mitchell will be playing his junior year with the Denver Pioneers. Mitchell could join the Blackhawks once his season is done in college.

With that being said, let’s start catching up on this year’s Blackhawks NCAA prospects.

Evan Barratt will play at Penn State this season. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Evan Barratt, Forward — Penn State University (32 games played, 16 goals, 27 assists)

Barratt was one of the top-performing Blackhawks college prospects last season when he broke out for 43 points. Centering Liam Folks and Alex Limoges, the trio combined for 57 goals and 78 assists and all finished in the top 20 in scoring among NCAA skaters. This season, that same line will look to continue to pick up where they left off last season. Barratt not only brings a plethora of scoring ability, but he also plays with an edge. His versatility adds depth to a high-flying Penn State group that is ready to build on their success as a program.

Unfortunately for Blackhawks fans, Barratt did not participate in on-ice drills at prospect camp over the summer because he was recovering from a hip surgery, but he is planning to be ready for Penn State’s series against Sacred Heart.

Barratt got a taste of success in last year’s World Junior Championship and in the 2018 Frozen Four tournament. It would be great to see Penn State get to the Frozen Four this year in Detroit. Barratt has already shown he can put the points up; it would be great to see he and Penn State shine on the big stage.

Evan Barratt is 100 percent, Gadowsky said. Said there's been a visible difference in his skating.

— David Eckert (@davideckert98) October 1, 2019

Josh Ess will be a key part of Wisconsin’s blue line in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the University of Wisconsin)

Josh Ess, Defenseman — University of Wisconsin (37 games played, five goals, eight assists)

The Wisconsin Badgers have had a couple of down years, but they are looking to change that trend this season. With the addition of top prospects Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte, Wisconsin could have the offensive firepower to push them to the top of the Big Ten conference. In the preseason rankings, USCHO.com has the Badgers ranked 16th in the country behind Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State.

Entering his junior year, Josh Ess will play a big role on the Badgers’ blue line as an upperclassmen with experience in Tony Granato’s system. The Big Ten is not an easy conference to come out of, especially when you are playing heavy teams like Notre Dame and Ohio State, and, not to mention, speedy teams like Penn State can hurt you in other ways.

Ess was not exactly a standout at prospect camp, but that is also really not his game. He did make some good, hard tape-to-tape passes out of his end and his positioning looked a bit more polished than some of the younger guys. He is more of a team guy that is doing a great job if he can eat minutes responsibly and keep the puck out of the net. Look for Ess to have success in those departments this year.

Wisconsin’s Josh Ess#Blackhawks #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/CYFxO5Gaev

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

Parker Foo will return to Union College for 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of The Athletic)

Parker Foo, Forward — Union College (35 games played, five goals, 10 assists)

Union had a fantastic season, finishing 20–13–6, but was defeated by the Cornell Big Red in the ECAC conference tournament quarterfinals. The Dutchmen will be returning three of their five players who had double-digit goals last season and look to build on their success from 2018–19.

Foo has a lot of speed and quickness to the puck and hopefully he will get more quality minutes at Union entering his junior year. The Blackhawks’ fifth-round pick of 2017 adds some depth to the prospect pool, but he needs to develop a bit more in college. The ECAC should provide some tough competition and hopefully Foo gets some power play time to show he can produce at a high level.

Ian Mitchell will captain the Pioneers in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of Denver University)

Ian Mitchell, Defenseman — Denver University (39 games played, six goals, 21 assists)

Of all the NCAA prospects in the Blackhawks system, Mitchell is probably the most developed at this point. After two seasons with Denver, Mitchell has embraced the “Pioneer Way” and become the team’s new captain. This should not come as a surprise given Mitchell’s work ethic. Over the summer, many Blackhawks fans were hoping that he would leave college and sign a pro deal, but Mitchell decided to not rush his development. Once upon a time, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews told the team the same thing and he worked out to be pretty good.

The Pioneers are coming off their third Frozen Four appearance in four years and this year should not have any different expectations. Denver will start the season as one of the nation’s top teams in one of the hardest divisions in college hockey, the NCHC.

Mitchell brought a lot of raw skill his first couple seasons, but it is pretty clear he wants to take his game to the next level. At prospect camp, Mitchell told Adam Burish in an interview that he is setting the bar high for himself this season. He first wants to win a NCAA championship, but he is also wanting to show he is one of the best players in college hockey with a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award. Do not be shocked if you see Mitchell in a Blackhawks uniform later this season.

Ian Mitchell has been named captain for the 2019-20 season. Tyson McLellan and Michael Davies will serve as alternates https://t.co/uISAMwrO2r | #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/sZ59tvq0SR

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) May 17, 2019

Ryan Shea will return to Northeastern to captain the Huskies in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of hockeyjournal.com)

Ryan Shea, Defenseman — Northeastern University (39 games played, three goals, 13 assists)

Through his first three years in college hockey, Ryan Shea has probably been the most stable defenseman for the Northeastern Huskies. He is not the flashiest player on the ice, but he gets his job done. With a career-high plus-minus rating of plus-23 last season, Shea has proven he can play in all situations and can make the right play when called upon. Those are both reasons why Shea’s teammates voted him team captain for the 2019–20 season. Northeastern is set to be a threat again in the Hockey East Conference, but competition will be elevated, as Boston College and Boston University have retooled after down seasons.

We’ve had some great leaders at Northeastern over the years, and we expect to add more names to the list.

Your 2019-20 #HowlinHuskies captains:

C: Ryan Shea
A: Matt Filipe
A: John Picking
A: Zach Solow pic.twitter.com/cTpwUrCWs3

— Northeastern Men’s Hockey (@GoNUmhockey) April 18, 2019

Josiah Slavin heads to Colorado College after spending three seasons in the USHL. (Photograph courtesy of Colorado College)

Josiah Slavin, Forward — Colorado College (USHL:  59 games played, 24 goals, 23 assists)

One of the most exciting college prospects this year is 2018 seventh-round selection Josiah Slavin.  At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Slavin skates pretty well and has a natural touch for playmaking. We saw him score a hat trick for Team Red at prospect camp this summer, where he stood out among his peers.

Slavin will begin his NCAA career in Colorado Springs playing for the Colorado College Tigers. As one of the younger teams in the NCHC, the Tigers are on the rise with several talented freshmen coming in. Head coach Mike Haviland will most likely love using Slavin for big minutes, including power play time. College hockey analyst Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald has the Tigers ranked 17th in the country, noting they could be a surprise team out of the NCHC this year.

Michal Teply sends a 100-foot feed to Josiah Slavin for the regulation game winner with 6.9 seconds left on the clock. #Blackhawks prospects wrapping with a shootout now just for fun. pic.twitter.com/1LbkSL9vxX

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) July 19, 2019

Alex Vlasic will join Boston University for 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Alex Vlasic, Defenseman — Boston University (27 games played, two goals, 13 assists)

For the first time in a few years, the Blackhawks finally selected a defenseman with some size when they took Vlasic 43rd overall in the 2019 draft. The Wilmette, Illinois, native spent his junior career with the U.S. National Team Development Program playing alongside Cole Caufield, Jack Hughes, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras and other top US-born prospects.

Vlasic brings a lot to the table besides his size. He has great reach and seems to love jumping into the play despite being a bigger defenseman. Boston University has developed some pretty good defensemen over the years and hopefully they can turn things around after a couple bad seasons.

Alex Vlasic has been showing off his speed with his size (6'6) at #Blackhawks development camp: https://t.co/38QWcVMcsK pic.twitter.com/yUksZ0CPlf

— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) July 19, 2019

Photo courtesy of goterriers.com

Jake Wise, Forward — Boston University (12 games played, zero goals, two assists)

Although injuries kept Wise out most of the season last year, he is still seen as one of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. But, with Kirby Dach and Evan Barratt now rising to the top of the system, Wise has some ground to make up. The Terriers lost a few players to the NHL, so hopefully Wise is given some opportunities to shine somewhere in the top nine.

The last young playmaking center the Blackhawks developed was North Dakota’s Nick Schmaltz, who did not end up working out in Chicago. Schmaltz had great patience with the puck and featured excellent vision. Schmaltz did produce more than 50 points in his second season, but he struggled mightily in the face off circle. If Wise, who is similar in size, wants a shot at an NHL roster, he will have to show he can play a two-way game, as the top-six center slots will likely be filled by Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome for the foreseeable future.

Boston’s Jake Wise #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/5Zv8dC7Mp0

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

The post Get to know your 2019–20 Blackhawks NCAA prospects appeared first on The Rink.

The-Rink.com host “Gatekeeper” is joined by staff members Mario Tirabassi, Aaron Goldschmidt, Eric Andrews, Juliana Nikac and Ron Luce to talk in-depth about Blackhawks prospects.

• The Blackhawks sit at 2-1-1 with two preseason and an exhibition game remaining.
• Roster is not finalized but is starting to shape up.
• We take a long look at the six prospect tiers and why the writers rated players the way they have.
• Don’t miss the hot takes.
• We wrap with Rinkrat PuckBag segment.

Please subscribe, rate this episode, and even write us a review. Reviews will be read on the air.

Also, Please help spread the word to more #RinkRats and visit our sponsor www.PUCKHCKY.com. Use the discount code “THERINK” for 10% off all orders.

The Rinkcast is brought to you by the Overtime Podcast Network

The post Blackhawks Rinkcast – Season 3, Episode 1 – Prospect tier wrap special appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks assign Gravel; heads back to Halifax Mooseheads

An intriguing prospect in net for Chicago, Gravel played well throughout the summer and impressed during prospect camp and the Traverse City rookie tournament. In two appearances for the Blackhawks rookies in Traverse City, Gravel won both games and posted a .915 save percentage in those two contests.

Halifax Mooseheads goaltender Alexis Gravel stands in the net. (Photograph courtesy of the Halifax Mooseheads)

While Gravel did not see action during any of the Blackhawks’ preseason games, he will return to the Mooseheads as the No. 1 option in net and has an opportunity to be in the mix for Team Canada at this year’s World Junior Championships. Gravel is entering his fourth season with Halifax and is coming off his best season in juniors in 2018–19. Last season, Gravel backstopped the Mooseheads to the best record in the QMJHL Eastern Conference and led them to the QMJHL Finals and the Memorial Cup Final as the tournament hosts. Gravel posted career highs in save percentage (.913) and goals against average (2.49) with Halifax last season.

The post Blackhawks cut Alexis Gravel from training camp roster appeared first on The Rink.

Parts of the series

Introduction

Tiers one and two

Tier three

Tier four

Tier five

Tier six

Complete tier listings with our panel’s original average tier ratings (* represents a unanimous rating from the panel)

Tier one

Adam Boqvist (1*)
Kirby Dach (1*)

Tier two

Ian Mitchell (1.833)
Nicolas Beaudin (2.333)

Tier three

Alex Vlasic (2.833)
Alex Nylander (3)
Dominik Kubalik (3.167)
Philipp Kurashev (3.167)
Chad Krys (3.333)
Jake Wise (3.5)
Alexis Gravel (4)

Tier four

Evan Barratt (3.5)
MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)
Aleksi Saarela (3.833)
Josiah Slavin (3.833)
Dennis Gilbert (4)
Matthew Highmore (4)
Kevin Lankinen (4)
Niklas Nordgren (4)
John Quenneville (4*)
Michal Teply (4)
Lucas Carlsson (4.167)
Tim Soderlund (4.167)
Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Tier five

Brandon Hagel (4.333)
Antti Saarela (4.333)
Dominic Basse (4.5)
Artur Kayumov (4.5)
Josh Ess (4.667)
Jakub Galvas (4.833)
Mikael Hakkarainen (4.833)
Reese Johnson (4.833)
Cole Moberg (4.833)
Andrei Altybarmakyan (5.167)
Ivan Nalimov (5.167)
Joni Tuulola (5.167)

Tier six

Mathias From (5.333)
Roope Laavainen (5.333)
Ryan Shea (5.333)
Parker Foo (5.5)
Jake Ryczek (5.5)
Nathan Noel (5.667)
Graham Knott (5.833)

Note: Our panel discovered at a later date Jack Ramsey had been omitted from the series and agreed Ramsey falls into tier six.

The post RECAP: The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers appeared first on The Rink.

Our series concludes today with tiers two and one, defined as a prospect seen as a top six forward, No. 2 or 3 defenseman or starting goaltender or a prospect seen as a first line forward, top pairing defenseman or elite goaltender, respectively.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Tier one
Adam Boqvist (1)
Boqvist rocketed to the top of the Blackhawks’ top prospects list by being drafted eighth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The talented Swedish defenseman entered the organization as arguably the best draftee to come to Chicago since the Blackhawks selected Patrick Kane in 2007. Boqvist also became the best defensive prospect to join the organization in over 15 years. With Chicago stockpiling defensemen through the draft in the last few years, Boqvist headlines the group, as his offensive flair makes him instantly stand out on the ice. Despite questions surrounding his defensive ability and long term health, the dynamic 6-foot, 181 pound blue line phenom has progressed nicely since being selected last summer. Boqvist posted 20 goals and 40 assists in 54 regular season games with the London Knights before exploding for 10 goals in 11 postseason contests. Boqvist is expected to make the jump to the professional game this season, though that may be primarily with the Rockford IceHogs instead of the Blackhawks. Either way, Chicago fans could very well get a look at Boqvist at some point in 2019–20 if injuries require a replacement on the back end. Whether Boqvist’s chance for prime playing time comes at some point this season or beginning in 2020–21, he should become a prominent staple of the Blackhawks’ blue line for the foreseeable future.

Adam Boqvist skates at the 2018 Traverse City Rookie Tournament. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Kirby Dach (1)
Another welcome addition to Chicago’s organization, Dach instantly became the best forward prospect the Blackhawks have added in the draft since selecting Kane. Not only does Dach boast impressive offensive skill, but his size—measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds at just 18 years of age—is also something the Chicago forward prospect pool has sorely lacked in recent years. While some considered Dach to be a bit of a surprise pick at the time, he has done nothing but impress since then with strong showings at the Blackhawks’ prospect camp, the Team Canada World Juniors Summer Showcase and the recent Traverse City Rookie Tournament. Though Dach could get a nine game look with Chicago at the beginning of the season, his status for the rest of the season remains to be seen. While it could be argued the best place for his development might be Rockford, the CHL’s transfer agreement does not allow that, meaning Dach will either have to spend the entire season with the Blackhawks or return to the Saskatoon Blades. Sustaining a concussion in the final game of the Traverse City tournament may put Dach a couple steps back since he has yet to participate in any of the Blackhawks’ training camp sessions. Regardless, it is evident that Dach will play a huge role for the organization in the future, as his total package offers a combination of skill, size, desire and leadership Chicago has not seen in quite some time. Both Dach and Boqvist joined John Quenneville as the only three players our panel voted unanimously on.

Kirby Dach skates at the 2019 Traverse City Rookie Tournament. (Photograph courtesy of Dave Reginek / NHLI via Getty Images)

Tier two
Ian Mitchell (1.833)
Mitchell was a bit of an unknown in the hockey world when Chicago selected him in the second round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. However, in the time since, Mitchell has done nothing short of show the Blackhawks got a steal, impressing in his first two seasons at the University of Denver. Though the 5-foot-11, 174 pound blue liner is viewed as an offensive defenseman, his defensive game has also developed nicely since being drafted, with some viewing him as more of a two way defenseman with high offensive upside as opposed to merely an offensively minded blue liner. In 80 total games with the Pioneers, Mitchell has racked up 57 points and a plus minus rating of 35. The St. Albert, Alberta, native will return to Denver to captain the Pioneers in 2019–20, but is expected to sign his entry level contract with the Blackhawks and forgo his senior season. Whether Mitchell makes his NHL debut late this season or in 2020–21, he has made it known he wants to make the jump straight to the NHL without any time in Rockford. Regardless of when he debuts, Mitchell should develop into a valuable part of Chicago’s back end for the foreseeable future.

Ian Mitchell will captain the University of Denver in the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of University of Denver Athletics)

Nicolas Beaudin (2.333)
Beaudin was a bit of a surprising pick to many when Chicago picked him 27th overall in 2018 after choosing Boqvist at No. 8. Then viewed as another offensively minded defenseman, Beaudin has transformed his game into being a legitimate two way option capable of chipping in offensively as well as being reliable in his own end. His efforts to focus on improving defensively showed last season. After combining for a plus minus rating of 8 over his first two full seasons with Drummondville, Beaudin exploded for a rating of 60 in 2018–19 while still posting over a point per game offensively. Initially appearing to be just another offensive defenseman in Chicago’s system, Beaudin has quickly justified his draft position by establishing himself as the top two way blue line prospect in the Blackhawks’ system. Being left handed helps Beaudin’s chances to play big minutes down the road, as both Boqvist and Mitchell play the right side. The Chateauguay, Quebec, native enters the first year of his entry level contract this season and will likely spend it learning the pro game in Rockford on what is expected to be a stacked IceHogs blue line. While Beaudin, who measures in exactly the same as Mitchell in both height and weight, will probably need at least this season to be prepared for full time NHL action, he should be another valuable piece in Chicago for the foreseeable future, as his two way game should help balance out Boqvist and Mitchell’s offensive styles of play. One panelist summed up Beaudin well by saying, “Entering the draft, Beaudin was a clear cut offensive minded blue liner, but after joining an organization with players such as Ian Mitchell, Adam Boqvist and (at the time) Henri Jokiharju, there was doubt that Beaudin could be shipped. He now looks like the defenseman that every team needs but no one talks about: A quiet (in a positive way) player who makes the smart play before the flashy play.”

Nicolas Beaudin skates at the 2019 Traverse City Rookie Tournament. (Photograph courtesy of Dave Reginek / NHLI via Getty Images)

The-Rink thanks you for tuning in for our Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part five appeared first on The Rink.

Our series continues today with tier three, defined as a prospect seen as a middle six forward, second pairing defenseman or backup goalie.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Alex Vlasic (2.833)

The cousin of San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the Wilmette, Illinois, native was selected by his hometown team in the second round this June. Vlasic boasts a massive frame for someone his age being listed at 6-foot-6 and 198 pounds. Vlasic has shown an ability to use his size to his advantage, especially in terms of breaking up plays with his reach and blocking shots. As part of the high powered US National Team Development Program over the past two years, Vlasic was relied on more so as a defensive defenseman. However, the big blue liner does have the ability to chip in from the back end thanks to his good vision and slap shot. Vlasic will head to Boston University to join the Terriers, where he will likely spend at least a couple of years before turning pro. Vlasic, who some considered to be a bit of a steal at the draft, could slot into Chicago’s top four in the future if he can develop into a bonafide shutdown defenseman. While he has a bigger frame than former Blackhawk Niklas Hjalmarsson, Vlasic could be the long awaited replacement for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

The Blackhawks selected Wilmette, Illinois, native Alex Vlasic in the second round in 2019. Vlasic will play at Boston University in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of Hickling Images)

Alex Nylander (3)

Nylander, who is the brother of William Nylander of Toronto and son of former Blackhawk Michael Nylander, was acquired by Chicago earlier this summer from Buffalo in exchange for 2017 first round pick Henri Jokiharju. Alex was the eighth overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the majority of his time since then playing for the Rochester Americans in the AHL. The Calgary-born Swede possesses an undeniable amount of offensive skill and flair, but has been surrounded with questions about his intensity and desire. Nylander joins a growing list of recent reclamation projects for Stan Bowman, who hopes the Nylander experiment will turn out more like Dylan Strome than David Rundblad. Nylander’s style is clearly suited for a top six role, but, if he is unable to put his game together, could end up being more like Dylan Sikura has been recently in not quite being able to handle the top six load but also not fitting in as a bottom six player. Though the Blackhawks have a wealth of young talent on the back end, Nylander will need to prove his services were worth jettisoning Jokiharju, who seems primed for a lengthy career as a top four NHL defenseman.

Chicago acquired Alex Nylander from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Henri Jokiharju this summer. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Dominik Kubalik (3.167)

Kubalik joins Chicago’s organization for 2019–20 after being acquired in January from Los Angeles in exchange for a fifth round pick. Originally a 2013 seventh round pick of the Kings, Kubalik tore up the Swiss National League in 2018–19, leading the league with 57 points in 50 games. The Czech Republic native will look to translate his production to North America, where he has not played since 2013–14 in the Ontario Hockey League. Kubalik has been a mainstay on Czech teams at international tournaments, including representing his country in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The 6-foot-2, 179-pound winger also enjoyed a breakout showing at the 2019 World Championships, scoring six goals and adding six assists in 10 games. Kubalik, who is on a one year contract with the Blackhawks, is expected to be in Chicago’s lineup this season. While he could become a standout player if he is able to produce as he did in Switzerland, Kubalik will likely be more along the lines of this year’s Dominik Kahun if he pans out, being someone who can play up and down the lineup and contribute offensively in a supporting role.

Dominik Kubalik will make his North American professional debut in 2019–20 after dominating the Swiss National League in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of Getty Images)

Philipp Kurashev (3.167)

Kurashev has been a pleasant surprise thus far in his development, quickly rising up the ranks in Chicago’s system. The Blackhawks drafted Kurashev in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and the Switzerland native has since done nothing but impress regardless of the level of play. In 59 games for the Quebec Remparts, he scored 29 goals and added 36 helpers for career best marks in both goals and points in his junior career. Kurashev particularly stood out on the international stage, with the World Junior Championships highlighting his showings for his country. A regular for Swiss national teams, Kurashev lit it up to lead the tournament with six goals in seven games and finished with seven points. Following his junior season coming to a close, Kurashev made the jump to Rockford, where he played three games for the IceHogs. Kurashev is expected to return to Rockford’s lineup for 2019–20, where he will likely be among the team’s go-to offensive weapons. Though Kurashev has not yet proven himself professionally, his development is trending in the right direction and it appears he could have a successful middle six role in the NHL down the road.

Philipp Kurashev will play in his first full professional season in 2019–20 after finishing last season with the Rockford IceHogs. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Chad Krys (3.333)

Like a couple of other players already covered in the series, Krys may be a player who would best be suited by moving to another organization. The offensive defenseman was once at the top of Chicago’s blue line prospects, but has since dropped down the list with the drafting of other high end defensemen who excel offensively. Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Krys spent three seasons playing at Boston University to continue his development. In his time as a Terrier, the Connecticut native posted 58 points in 105 games, including 20 points in 30 games last season as an alternate captain. Upon finishing his collegiate season, Krys signed with the Blackhawks and joined the Rockford IceHogs, playing nine games while tallying four assists. The 5-foot-11, 185 pound defender boasts strong skating and passing abilities, but would likely need to be paired with a reliable partner at the NHL level to cover for his defensive deficiencies. The majority of our panel believes Krys will become an everyday NHL player, but, as mentioned previously, his path would likely be easier in another organization. Krys will return to Rockford for the 2019–20 season on a stacked IceHogs blue line.

Chad Krys joined the IceHogs late in the 2018–19 season after spending three years at Boston University. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Jake Wise (3.5)

Wise is among the Blackhawks’ most intriguing forward prospects both because of his skill but also because of a seeming mystique around him. The Naples, Florida, native has missed time with injuries in each of his last two seasons—2017–18 with the US National Team Development Program and 2018–19 at Boston University—which has prevented him from showing what he is capable of when at full health. Once considered a potential first round pick option in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago scooped up Wise in the third round. Wise is hard to miss on the ice for that reason: He is good at making defenders miss. He uses his speed and high end stickhandling to elude defenders in tight spaces. Additionally, Wise is responsible defensively, which will help his cause as he moves up the ranks. While our panel was a bit mixed on Wise, his talent is undeniable, and, if he can stay healthy and progress in his development, could turn into a draft day steal in a middle six type of role in the future. The 5-foot-10 centerman will return to the Terriers for 2019–20.

Jake Wise will return to Boston University for 2019–20 looking to put together a full season after playing just 12 games last year. (Photograph courtesy of Boston University Athletics)

Alexis Gravel (4)

Gravel’s initial vote rating indicates a spot in the fourth tier, but upon reconsidering our tiers in terms of goaltenders, our panel decided Gravel was better suited for tier three, as the group believes Gravel will be in NHL blue paint in the future. Once considered a top goaltending prospect for the 2018 draft class, the Blackhawks snagged the German native in the sixth round after a somewhat disappointing 2017–18 season with the Halifax Mooseheads. However, Gravel has done nothing but impress since being drafted, putting together a breakout 2018–19 campaign with Halifax, posting a goals against average of 2.49 and save percentage of .913, both of which were career best marks. Gravel then upped his game in the postseason, recording a .917 save percentage in 23 games, guiding his squad to second place finishes in both the QMJHL’s President’s Cup and the Memorial Cup. Boasting massive size in the goal at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Gravel is still quick and tracks pucks well in addition to being technically sound. Though still relatively early in his progression, Gravel looks as though he could be among the better goaltenders the Blackhawks have drafted and developed in the 21st century. The right handed netminder will return to the Mooseheads in 2019–20.

Alexis Gravel will return to the Halifax Mooseheads for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part four appeared first on The Rink.

After initially going down 1–0, the team of future Blackhawks stormed back in the first period to take a 4–1 lead. Detroit fought back in the second period and tied the game. Eventually, Blackhawks 2018 first round draft pick Adam Boqvist scored from a tight angle, just 43 seconds into the overtime period, to give the visitors the win.

Chicago looked a little rusty to begin the game and Ryan Kuffner took full advantage on the power play at the 3:10 mark of the first period, beating Chicago goaltender Alexis Gravel. That was when the Blackhawks came storming back with goals by Mikael Hakkarainen, 2019 first round draft pick Kirby Dach, MacKenzie Entwistle and Jack Ramsey.

Beautiful feed from Riley McKay to his Saskatoon teammate Kirby Dach to put the #Blackhawks up after allowing an early goal shorthanded.

Catch it live here https://t.co/3XwSy9Jn5c pic.twitter.com/JOV50RFnio

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) September 6, 2019

Detroit took advantage of five Blackhawks penalties in the second period and scored power play goals by Jarid Lukosevicius and Joe Veleno. Velano also scored an unassisted goal after picking the pocket of Brandon Hagel in the Blackhawks’ zone.

Following a scoreless third period, the game went to overtime. Boqvist took advantage of goalie Kaden Fulcher, as he left just enough space to beat Fulcher under the crossbar and win the game. The goal was assisted by Dach and Hagel. Hagel was a huge bright spot for the Blackhawks, wearing the “A” on his sweater and assisting on two additional goals earlier in the game. After one game, the former Red Deer Rebel leads the tournament in points scored.

Gravel saved 27 of 31 shots for the win, also making two highlight reel saves in the third period to keep the game tied.

The Blackhawks will face the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at 2 p.m. Central and the St. Louis Blues on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Central. The tournament wraps up Tuesday with the championship and other placement games.

Look back at last night’s 5-4 OT win for the #HawksProspects over Detroit and preview this afternoon’s meeting against Toronto pic.twitter.com/HTt04SzmK9

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) September 7, 2019

The post Blackhawks open rookie tournament with 5–4 overtime win appeared first on The Rink.

Our series continues today with tier four, defined as a prospect seen as a bottom-six or extra forward, third-pairing or extra defenseman or fringe goalie.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Evan Barratt (3.5)

The 2017 third-round pick was one of the players our panel had the hardest time coming to a consensus on. Some felt Barratt is capable of converting his offensive firepower at the collegiate level to the professional ranks for a middle-six role, while some felt he will be nothing more than a serviceable depth piece in the NHL. Either way, Barratt brings a combination of skill and sandpaper the Blackhawks could use in their lineup down the road. The Bristol, Pennsylvania, native will return to Penn State in 2019–20, where he ignited for 43 points in 32 games last season.

Evan Barratt will return to Penn State for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Penn State Athletics)

MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)

Since being acquired in the infamous trade that saw Marian Hossa’s contract dealt to Arizona, Entwistle has established himself as one of the Blackhawks’ most solidified prospects in terms of their future role. The 2017 third-round pick of the Coyotes has embraced the idea of being a bottom-six player at the NHL level and has adjusted his game to suit that role. After winning back-to-back OHL championships on the Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm and enjoying a breakout showing at the World Junior Championships, Entwistle will turn pro in 2019–20 to join what will likely be a youthful Rockford IceHogs lineup.

Guelph Storm forward MacKenzie Entwistle (left) battles for a puck at the Memorial Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier / CHL Images)

Aleksi Saarela (3.833)

Saarela joins the Blackhawk organization this season after spending the last two in Carolina’s system. Originally a 2015 third-round pick of the New York Rangers, Saarela was part of the trade that saw Eric Staal leave the Hurricanes at the 2016 trade deadline. Since then, Saarela has spent the majority of his time playing for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, where he and his team won the Calder Cup last season. Saarela’s big shot helped him score 30 goals in 2018–19, but he likely will not reach a level like that in the NHL. If Saarela wants to have a lengthy NHL career, it will likely need to be in a depth role. Saarela will be given a chance to crack Chicago’s opening night lineup, but is more likely to start the season in Rockford to adjust to the Blackhawks’ system.

Aleksi Saarela joins the Blackhawks organization for 2019–20 after winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers. (Photograph courtesy of Patrick Gorski / Icon Sportswire

Josiah Slavin (3.833)

Slavin was another polarizing player among our panel members. With votes as high as tier two, he clearly is a player who has quickly grabbed the attention of some panelists despite being a seventh-round pick in 2018. Slavin’s rise in the USHL over the last two seasons and showings at the Blackhawks’ development camps have led some to feel he has the tools needed to be a legitimate contributor at the NHL level, playing a simple, but effective, pro-style game. Slavin, who is the younger brother of Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, possesses a strong work ethic and displays leadership on and off the ice, which have helped his development thus far. The Erie, Colorado, native will head to play at Colorado College, where he will likely spend at least two years before turning pro. While he still has some developing to do, Slavin could very well turn out to be a diamond in the rough and have a successful NHL career, whether as a middle-six player or a depth option.

Josiah Slavin heads to Colorado College after splitting the 2018–19 season between Lincoln and Chicago in the USHL. (Photograph courtesy of Brad Repplinger)

Dennis Gilbert (4)

Gilbert is a perfect representation of a few players who our panel feels can be a solid NHL player, just likely not in a Blackhawk sweater. The Notre Dame product provides the physicality Chicago’s blue line pipeline lacks, but very well might not have a clear path to NHL ice time with all of the other young defensemen in the system who have higher upsides. Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Gilbert turned pro in 2018–19 after three seasons with the Fighting Irish. The Buffalo, New York, native played in 63 games for Rockford, where he racked up 14 points, to go along with one game for the Blackhawks. Our panel was in full agreement Gilbert has the tools to be a reliable and rugged stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, but most felt that would be elsewhere.

Dennis Gilbert tallied 14 points for the Rockford IceHogs in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Matthew Highmore (4)

Highmore is a bit of an interesting player in the group because of his circumstances. Most of our panel feels he has the tools needed to be an everyday bottom-six center in the NHL. However, injuries have hampered Highmore thus far in his career, washing out the majority of his 2018–19 season. The undrafted free agent signing played in 13 games for the Blackhawks in 2017–18, but managed just 12 games in 2018–19, all with Rockford. Despite his injury issues, Highmore has proven to be an effective scorer at the AHL level, posting 52 points in 76 games over two seasons with the IceHogs. Hopes are 2019–20 can be a fresh start for Highmore, but he will need to earn a spot in Chicago, as there is a slew of other players who could very well beat him out for depth roster spots.

Matthew Highmore enters 2019–20 looking to rebound from his injury-shortened 2018–19 campaign. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Kevin Lankinen (4)

The undrafted free agent signing came over to play in North America for the first time in 2018–19, splitting time with Indy in the ECHL and Rockford in the AHL. While he posted decent numbers with the IceHogs (2.50 goals against average and a .910 save percentage in 19 games), Lankinen took the world by storm for his native Finland in the World Championships, backstopping the Finns to the gold medal with sparkling numbers of a 1.50 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. His efforts quickly caught the attention of many in the Blackhawks’ fanbase, but he needs to show that ability on a consistent basis for an extended period of time for our panel to place him in a higher tier. Lankinen is expected to return to Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get a chance to show if he is truly the lights-out goaltender he was at the World Championships or if his heroics were just a flash in the pan.

The 2019–20 season will give Kevin Lankinen an opportunity to show if his heroic performance at the 2019 World Championships was his true self or just a flash in the pan. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Niklas Nordgren (4)

The 2018 third-round pick of the Blackhawks is an intriguing prospect because of his ability to score. However, his size is a bit of a question mark, as is his skating, which will definitely need to be improved if he wants to translate his production to the game’s highest level. Unlike the majority of prospects in the system, Nordgren has been limited in his participation in prospect camp over the past two summers, as he was injured early in the 2018 camp before being an off-ice participant in 2019. Nordgren has split time between HIFK’s main Liiga men’s team and the organization’s U20 team over the last two seasons. The Helsinki native tallied 26 points in 28 games between the two teams in 2018–19 and will return to HIFK for 2019–20. Nordgren’s development will be worth keeping an eye on, as he could become a scoring threat in the NHL if he pans out.

Niklas Nordgren combined for 26 points in 28 games in the HIFK organization in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of AOP)

John Quenneville (4)

The cousin of longtime Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, John was one of three prospects to receive an identical rating from each member of our panel. Acquired earlier this summer in exchange for John Hayden, Quenneville will enter camp looking to earn a full-time job in the NHL for the first time. The 2014 first-round pick of New Jersey played in 33 games for the Devils in his time with the organization, spending the majority of that time playing for the Albany Devils in the AHL. After racking up 39 points in 37 AHL games last season, Quenneville appears ready to take the next step, but might have a hard time grabbing a roster spot in Chicago. Regardless, Quenneville should be able to be a decent depth piece at the NHL level in the future.

John Quenneville joins the Blackhawks organization after being acquired from New Jersey this summer. (Photograph courtesy of Ed Mulholland / USA TODAY Sports

Michal Teply (4)

Teply will be another intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as his career progresses. Selected in the fourth round this June by the Blackhawks, the noted playmaker will come to North America to join the Winnipeg Ice for 2019–20 after being chosen fourth overall by the Ice in the CHL Import Draft. The Czech Republic product posted 21 points in various Czech leagues in 2018–19 before racking up six points in four playoff games for the Bili Tygri Liberec U19 team. Teply has been a mainstay on the Czech Republic’s international teams growing up, representing his country in various tournaments in each of the past three seasons. The big-bodied winger will need to work on his skating and adjust to the North American game, but, if he can do those things, seems like he can be a depth contributor in the NHL.

Michal Teply will head to North America for 2019–20 to play for the Winnipeg Ice. (Photograph courtesy of the IIHF)

Lucas Carlsson (4.167)

The 2016 fourth-rounder made the transition to North America in 2018–19, playing 69 games with Rockford and tallying 33 points, after a lengthy career in the Brynas organization in Sweden. While generally known to be an offensive defenseman, Carlsson is capable of holding his own in his own end. Of course, being part of an impressive blue line pipeline in the Chicago system, Carlsson might have a hard time cracking the Blackhawks’ lineup in the future. Multiple members of our panel believe he has the tools needed to be a regular depth defenseman in the NHL, but would likely only be able to realize that potential in a different organization. As one panelist noted, Carlsson feels a bit like Ville Pokka in the sense he might be too good for the AHL but never be able to make it in the NHL given the situation he is in. The Swede is expected to return to a stacked blue line in Rockford in 2019–20.

Lucas Carlsson posted 33 points for Rockford in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Tim Soderlund (4.167)

Soderlund’s skill set lends itself to a bottom-six role, which is likely what he would need to be in order to have an NHL career. While Soderlund has looked good at both ends in his time playing in Sweden’s SHL over the last three seasons, he has not stood out much at Chicago’s prospect camps since being selected in the fourth round in 2017, though that is not an end-all, be-all setting. Soderlund will join Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get his first taste of the North American game. Sometimes compared to fellow Swede Viktor Arvidsson, Blackhawks fans should be cautiously optimistic about Soderlund’s future. If he can translate his game to North America, he should have a chance to establish himself as a reliable depth player capable of chipping in offensively from time to time.

After spending his whole career in Sweden, Tim Soderlund will come to North America for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Ola Westerberg / Bildbyrån)

Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Once the “golden boy” of the Blackhawks’ prospect camps, Fortin has a well-known story that has led him to the professional ranks. Unfortunately for Fortin, it sometimes seems like he just is not getting the opportunity he needs to establish himself at the NHL level. After struggling with injuries in his first professional season in 2017–18, the undrafted free agent signing split time between Chicago and Rockford in 2018–19, posting consistent numbers at both levels. Fortin tallied three goals and three assists in 24 games for the Blackhawks and doubled his totals in 47 games with the IceHogs. Fortin has speed to burn, but the rest of his game will need to catch up to his feet in order to put it all together. Though there is still time for Fortin to earn himself a regular NHL job, he might be passed over for other options as time progresses. Fortin is another player who may be better off starting fresh in another organization to get the most out of his career moving forward.

Alexandre Fortin will look to grab a full-time roster spot in Chicago in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part three appeared first on The Rink.

Our series continues today with tier five, defined as a prospect seen as a fringe forward, fringe defenseman or AHL goalie with a chance to play in the NHL.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Brandon Hagel (4.333)
The majority of our panel agreed Hagel would be a fringe NHL player who has the capabilities needed to contribute in a depth role, but one member felt Hagel’s upside could be as high as a middle-six role. The most valuable player of the Blackhawks’ development camp scrimmage possesses a variety of skills in his game, but will need to fine tune them to get to the next level. Hagel will likely spend the 2019–20 season with the Rockford IceHogs after a breakout 2018–19 campaign with the Red Deer Rebels.

Brandon Hagel played in eight games for the Rockford IceHogs at the end of the 2018–19 season after scoring 102 points with Red Deer in the Western Hockey League. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Antti Saarela (4.333)
The 2019 fourth-round pick will be a project, but showed flashes of his ability in development camp. The younger brother of fellow Blackhawk prospect Aleksi Saarela possesses a good shot, but will need to improve his skating to be effective in the NHL. Saarela will stay in Finland for the 2019–20 season, where he will join Ilves after spending his entire career thus far with Lukko.

Antti Saarela will join Ilves for the 2019–20 season after spending all of his career with Lukko in Finland. (Photograph courtesy of Lansi Suomi)

Dominic Basse (4.5)
Basse adds impressive size to the Blackhawks’ prospect pool in the blue paint, measuring 6-foot-6 at just 18 years of age. Basse dominated in 2018–19 for the Selects Hockey Academy 18U team, compiling a 1.91 goals against average and .924 save percentage in 42 games played. The Colorado College commit has not yet announced his plans on where he will play in 2019–20, but perhaps the most likely scenario would see him join the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, as the Phantoms hold his USHL rights. Basse will be an interesting project to keep an eye on in the future.

Dominic Basse provides the Blackhawks’ system with size at the goaltender position. (Photograph courtesy of Colorado College)

Artur Kayumov (4.5)
Kayumov is among the most polarizing prospects in the Blackhawks’ system. A skilled and passionate left winger, Kayumov has yet to break out in his time playing in the KHL in his native Russia, tallying just 13 points in 46 games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in 2018–19. Despite this, his skill set would likely allow him to be a contributor in the NHL, though this looks less and less likely with each passing season for the 2016 second-round pick. Kayumov will return to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl for 2019–20.

Artur Kayumov will stay in Russia for yet another season in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

Josh Ess (4.667)
Ess has made strides since being selected in the seventh round in 2017. In his time since being drafted, Ess has established himself as a steady presence on Wisconsin’s blue line. The Minnesota native moves the puck well, but needs to keep working on his overall game to have a chance at playing in the NHL. Even if Ess can take the next step in his development with a big year for what is expected to be a potent Badger lineup in 2019–20, he would need to jump over a slew of other young defensemen in the system to don the Indian head down the road.

Josh Ess posted career-high totals of five goals, eight assists and 13 points as a sophomore at Wisconsin in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the University of Wisconsin)

Jakub Galvas (4.833)
Galvas is known as a puck-moving defenseman, something the Blackhawks have plenty of in their system. Despite having others ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, Galvas could break through for NHL playing time if he rounds out his game. The 2017 fifth-rounder has become a mainstay on international tournament teams for his native Czech Republic, including a pair of appearances in the World Junior Championships. A longtime member of the HC Olomouc organization, Galvas will head to Finland to play for Jukurit for the next step of his development.

Jakub Galvas will leave the Czech Republic to play in Finland for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Miroslav Chaloupka / CTK Photo)

Mikael Hakkarainen (4.833)
Hakkarainen dominated the USHL last season, tallying 19 goals and 28 assists in 42 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks after leaving Providence College following just one game at the beginning of the season. With little left to prove at the junior level, the 2018 fifth-rounder will turn pro to likely join the Rockford IceHogs for the 2019–20 season. At times, the Finn looks like he has a promising future in a depth role, but he will need to transfer his scoring ability at the junior level to the pro ranks—or adjust his style of play—in order to earn a regular NHL spot.

Mikael Hakkarainen will join the Rockford IceHogs for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Justin Berl / Getty Images)

Reese Johnson (4.833)
After spending the majority of the 2018–19 season as the captain for the Red Deer Rebels, Johnson finished the year in Rockford. Johnson improved his offensive numbers in his final year playing juniors, nearing a point-per-game pace with 27 goals and 26 assists in 67 games. The undrafted free agent signing then posted four assists in his six games with the IceHogs. Though Johnson finally started showing his offensive ability last season, he will likely be relied on as a more defensive forward should he make it to the NHL. Johnson will return to Rockford for the 2019–20 campaign.

Reese Johnson joined the Rockford IceHogs late in the 2018–19 season after playing for Red Deer of the Western Hockey League. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Cole Moberg (4.833)
The 2019 seventh-round pick broke out in a big way for a bad Prince George Cougars team in 2018–19, blowing away his previous career-high marks with 13 goals, 27 assists and 40 points. Our panel was relatively split on the 6-foot-3 defender, as some felt he could become a regular bottom-pairing option in the NHL down the road, while some feel it is too early in his development to project a ceiling of that nature. Moberg will return to the Cougars for 2019–20, where he will be relied upon as a leader on and off the ice for Prince George.

2019 seventh-round pick Cole Moberg was among the few bright spots for the Prince George Cougars in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Prince George Cougars)

Andrei Altybarmakyan (5.167)
Another wildcard within the Blackhawks’ system, Altybarmakyan boasts an impressive offensive skill set. However, the 2017 third-rounder has yet to put it together in the KHL, posting just six points in 38 games last season with HK Sochi. Of course, the Russian factor is also in effect here, as Altybarmakyan may very well never play in North America. Even if Altybarmakyan does play in North America, he would likely need to prove he can be somewhat reliable defensively to earn a chance at regular NHL ice time.

Andrei Altybarmakyan will stay in Russia for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of the KHL)

Ivan Nalimov (5.167)
Another Russian with dwindling likelihood of playing in North America, Nalimov has been the ultimate hit-or-miss goaltender in the KHL. At times looking like a legitimate NHL goaltender while resembling a headcase piece of Swiss cheese at others, the 2014 sixth-round pick will enter his sixth KHL season in 2019–20 with his sixth team. While Nalimov has expressed an interest to come play in North America in the past, the Blackhawks have not reciprocated the desire. It appears likely at this point Nalimov will not have a future in the NHL unless his rights are dealt and another team gives him a chance.

Among the more intriguing prospects in the Blackhawks’ system, Ivan Nalimov will join his sixth team in the KHL for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Kunlun Redstar)

Joni Tuulola (5.167)
Tuulola played his first full season of North American hockey for the IceHogs in 2018–19, posting four goals and 10 assists in 52 games. The 2015 sixth-round selection has generally been a defense-first blueliner, but has shown an ability to chip in offensively as well. However, with as many offensive defensemen as the Blackhawks have in their system already, Tuulola will need to focus on being rock-solid in his own end if he wants a chance to play in the NHL. Tuulola will return to Rockford’s defensive core for the 2019–20 season.

Joni Tuulola will return to Rockford for 2019–20 after posting four goals and 10 assists for the IceHogs in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part two appeared first on The Rink.

Our series kicks off today with tier six, defined as a prospect seen as an organizational depth player or goalie with little to no chance to play in the NHL.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Mathias From (5.333)
To some, From feels like he could be a fourth-liner in the NHL. Others believe he will never even set foot on professional North American ice. From has shown skill in the Blackhawks’ development camps he has attended, but not enough to put himself in a higher tier. A fifth-round pick in 2016, From tallied 16 points in 45 games last season with AIK in Sweden. The Denmark native will join Blackhawks 2014 fourth-round pick Fredrik Olofsson on MODO for the 2019–20 season.

Mathias From scored 16 points in 45 games for AIK last season. (Photograph courtesy of Sportbibeln)

Roope Laavainen (5.333)
Laavainen is an intriguing piece within the prospect pool because the organization seems to think he can be a player moving forward. While one member of our panel felt similarly, thinking Laavainen could be a bottom-pairing NHL defenseman in the future, the majority did not see anything to justify a spot on a higher tier. The 2017 fourth-rounder will return to play with HPK in Finland this season.

Roope Laavainen will return to play for HPK in Finland this season. (Photograph courtesy of Jukka Rautio/Kuva Europhoto)

Ryan Shea (5.333)
The 2015 fourth-rounder has been a steady presence for Northeastern University in his three seasons with the Huskies, the first two of which he played with Dylan Sikura. Shea will return to Northeastern for his senior season, where he will captain the Huskies. Should the Blackhawks choose to sign Shea in the future, he would likely have to jump a number of other young defensemen in the system for a shot at playing in the NHL.

Ryan Shea will captain Northeastern University this season. (Photograph courtesy of Northeastern University)

Parker Foo (5.5)
The Blackhawks are likely hoping Foo can follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Spencer, in becoming a good-looking prospect who had success at the collegiate level, but until further notice, the 2017 fifth-rounder might have nothing more than a future in the minor leagues. Foo will return to Union College this fall for his junior season after posting 15 points in 35 games as a sophomore with the Dutchmen.

Parker Foo will return to Union College for his junior season with the Dutchmen. (Photograph courtesy of Robert Morris University)

Jake Ryczek (5.5)
Ryczek will turn pro this season after spending two years playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. While he could still develop into a serviceable player, 2019 first-round pick Kirby Dach did nothing to help Ryczek’s cause at this year’s development camp, making the 2016 seventh-rounder look more like a pylon than a future NHL defenseman. Ryczek would also have to jump over a glut of other young defensemen to get his shot at the NHL level, which seems unlikely.

Jake Ryczek will turn pro this season after spending two years with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. (Photograph courtesy of Katie Whitty)

Nathan Noel (5.667)
A fourth-round pick in 2016, Noel has struggled to put up numbers since turning pro in 2017, scoring just seven goals and adding 11 assists in 84 games split between the Rockford IceHogs and Indy Fuel. At this point, Noel, who struggled to stay healthy last season, will likely be nothing more than a depth player in the minors.

Nathan Noel will enter his third professional season with the Blackhawks’ organization this fall. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Graham Knott (5.833)
Needless to say, Knott looks to be among the biggest disappointments in the Blackhawks’ prospect pool since Kyle Beach. Originally a second-round pick in 2015, Knott has scored just eight goals in 126 professional games over two seasons with the Rockford IceHogs. Short of a miraculous turnaround, it would be safe to write off any chance of Knott making it to the NHL moving forward.

Graham Knott posted four goals and nine assists last season with the Rockford IceHogs. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part one appeared first on The Rink.

After another season of hockey, the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and July’s development camp for the Blackhawks, The-Rink has assessed where each prospect in the system stands in terms of their ability to make an impact moving forward.

Many outlets piece together a prospect rankings list to show who may be next in line for NHL stardom. However, The-Rink believes a mere rankings list proves inadequate of truly judging a prospect’s ability to make a mark at the game’s highest level. As such, The-Rink has developed a system of placing prospects into tiers based on their potential.

To be clear, this project has been a group effort. Six of The-Rink’s staff members most in tune with prospects—Eric Andrews, Aaron Goldschmidt, Ron Luce, Ray Napientek, Juliana Nikac and Mario Tirabassi—poured many hours of thought, discussion and compromise into the development of the tiers.

The process began with determining which players would be eligible. After some debate, The-Rink settled on skaters 24 and under with 40 or less NHL games played and goaltenders with 10 or less NHL games played.

From there, tiers needed to be established to place the eligible prospects in. Again, after some debate, The-Rink decided on six different tiers, ranging from high-end NHL players to minor league depth players. The complete list of tiers is as follows:

Tier one = First-line forward, top-pairing defenseman, elite goalie

Tier two = Top-six forward, No. 2 or 3 defenseman, starting goalie

Tier three = Middle-six forward, second-pairing defenseman, backup goalie

Tier four = Bottom-six forward, third-pairing defenseman, fringe goalie

Tier five = Fringe forward, fringe defenseman, AHL goalie with a chance to play in the NHL

Tier six = Organizational depth player or goalie with little to no chance to play in the NHL

The six staff members involved in the project then placed the prospects into the tiers they felt were most appropriate. Of course, each staffer’s ratings varied, resulting in the necessity to debate where players belonged. In fact, just three players received an identical rating from each of the six staffers involved—those players will be denoted when their tier is released. The final tiers reflect the agreed-upon consensus following a debate about each player.

In the coming weeks, The-Rink will be unveiling its prospect tiers along with a brief synopsis of each player and why they fell into the tier they did, starting with tier six and building up to tier one.

Stay tuned to see how each prospect fared in The-Rink’s prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post Introducing The-Rink’s prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers appeared first on The Rink.

The-Rink’s Blackhawks writer and Rockford expert, Mario Tirabassi, was out to catch all the action and report on the latest happenings in camp. Please check out all the pieces from this week, including special daily one-on-one features with MacKenzie Entwistle, Chad Krys and Josiah Slavin.

Please take some time to enjoy our in-depth coverage:

Day 1 (with one-on-one featuring Chad Krys)
Kirby Dach settling into new city and organization
Day 2 (with one-on-one featuring Josiah Slavin)
Blackhawks trade Artem Anisimov to Ottawa for Zack Smith
Alex Vlasic not planning to rush his development
Stan Bowman, Jeremy Colliton address Blackhawks camp on day three
Nicolas Beaudin becoming well-rounded ahead of pro debut season
Day 4 (with one-on-one featuring MacKenzie Entwistle)
Blackhawks development camp wraps up with futures game

Please enjoy this highlight reel set up by Blackhawks defenseman Adam Boqvist, captured by The-Rink’s Aaron Goldschmidt:

.@BoqvistAdam #Blackhawks @BarDown @GoLondonKnights pic.twitter.com/lJffmwpDU2

— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) July 19, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The post Full wrap-up of the 2019 Chicago Blackhawks development camp (links) appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks development camp comes to a close

As the scrimmage started, it was evident in team play that players like Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist and Philipp Kurashev have a higher level to their game than most. Also making waves early on in the day were forwards Brandon Hagel and Josiah Slavin, who teamed up for a pair of goals in the first period of play.

The highlight of the day came early in the first period, and it came in dramatic fashion from Boqvist.

.@BoqvistAdam #Blackhawks @BarDown @GoLondonKnights pic.twitter.com/lJffmwpDU2

— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) July 19, 2019

That highlight is going to hold a lot of people over for hockey content for the summer. Boqvist was paired with Beaudin on the red team for the scrimmage and their play off of each other generated a lot of pace and offensive chances for their squad.

Not to be outdone in the first period, 2019 third overall selection Kirby Dach made his impression on the scrimmage late in the period, finishing off a breakaway chance on goaltender Alexis Gravel.

.@kdach77 with another nice finish up close #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/xOgyGFgzjP

— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) July 19, 2019

And then, Dach did this to Jake Ryczek, the day after Ryczek signed an AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs.

IT’S KIRBY’S DREAMLAND @kdach77 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/xkcCpsl0sq

— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) July 19, 2019

Yeah, he is going to be pretty decent.

Throughout the week of development camp, more players stood out on their own than in years past for development camp. From top to bottom, the roster of players in camp show that the Blackhawks’ prospect system has a level of depth to it, at all positions, which it has lacked in recent years. Notably, the 2018 and 2019 draft classes have shown a decent amount of promise across the board. From Boqvist and Dach to Slavin and Gravel, there is a lot to be excited about in the future of the Blackhawks’ organization.

This concludes #Blackhawks development camp. pic.twitter.com/wmUwRMlvUn

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 19, 2019

Quoteables

Kirby Dach on his biggest takeaway from the week:

“Learning a lot off the ice about what it takes to be a pro in the game: How to handle myself with the way I eat and cook, stuff surrounding that. The game has become a lifestyle. You can’t just show up at the rink and have things happen. You have to do the right things away from the rink.”

Dach on making an impact on the Blackhawks’ staff:

“Any time you step on the ice, you want to leave an impression on them and make the decision hard on management to send me back. But, that is out of my control. The only thing I can control is myself and my actions.”

Mark Eaton (Director of Player Development) on what he looks for from players off the ice:

“Interaction is big; just to see the guys that are engaged in the process. They have all stated what they want to improve on in their developments and a lot of it is off-ice skills like time management, sleep management, mental skills. Those are things we try to give them information on throughout the week and they’ve shown a willingness to absorb that kind of information.”

Eaton on Boqvist and making the next step to the professional game:

“I think it’s going to be an experience thing: Getting experience, whether it’s at the NHL or AHL, whatever that next step is for him. You saw some of the things he could do out there today, but it’s more finding out for himself what moves or skills will work at whatever level he is playing, when it’s against bigger, stronger and faster guys. I’ve always said he is underrated on the defensive side of his game. He has some great qualities defensively; he’s such a smart player, and it’s not just one sided with him.”

Eaton on Dach’s week:

“He’s such a strong kid; you saw he was able to chase down a guy (Teply) and lift his stick and take the puck away; just already the strength in him and the frame he has left to grow into. He’s an exciting player, a great kid, he fit into the group and showed a willingness and eagerness to do what he needs to get to the next level.”

Brandon Hagel on first experience in Blackhawks camp:

“It was good to be here, good to meet everyone and put names to faces. Gave me a bit more confidence going into camp. … I feel like I was able to stick to my game and use my speed—one of my biggest assets—and build off of the other skilled players in camp.”

Hagel on going through the development process with former Red Deer teammate Reese Johnson:

“It’s pretty cool. Not many people get to come with their best friend that they have played with the last four years. Having him here obviously gives you more of a comfort level; you’re with one of the people you’ve know for a long time and you’re getting to meet new people together and makes it easier as it goes on.”

Boqvist on making an impression on the Blackhawks’ staff in camp:

“The only thing I can do is be myself. I can’t be Patrick Kane or Duncan Keith or anyone. I have to be myself and play good.”

Boqvist on his comfort level going through a second development camp:

“You know the stuff now. You’re not that nervous out there; you’re just excited to get back and show them that you are one year better and older. (I am) just trying to be confident out there and play my game.”

Boqvist on if he will watch his highlights from the scrimmage:

“Yeah, probably not. Probably just go back and have a nap. (Laughs) I’m pretty tired, so just want to have some rest.”

You and me both, Adam.

What’s next?

For the Blackhawks’ community, the 12th annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention will be held from July 26–28, 2019, at the Hilton Chicago. Following that, the Traverse City rookie tournament will take place sometime in the first two weeks of August, when most of the players who were featured this week will compete together in Traverse City, Michigan.

Keep it locked into The-Rink all summer as the 2019–20 season inches closer and closer.

The post Blackhawks development camp wraps up with futures game appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks development camp: Day four takeaways

The highlights of camp have been as expected. Kirby Dach has begun to showcase exactly why the Blackhawks felt that he was the best option with the third overall pick in this June’s NHL Entry Draft. His size and skill makes him one of the more prolific in camp with the puck on his stick. What has emerged in camp so far for Dach is his competitiveness and his physical game. He is not overly heavy in his defensive play, but he uses his frame and body weight to muscle players in puck battles. He is making a strong case for Chicago to reconsider possibly sending him back to the WHL.

Boqvist and Vlasic (red) vs Nylander and Dach (white)#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/aPBN80w6d3

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 18, 2019

Along with Dach, fellow 2019 draft pick Alex Vlasic has shown that he is potentially going to make a couple teams upset they did not grab him late in the first round. Vlasic’s size and defenisve skill in his own end are his promising features, while his foot speed and skating have been and seem to always be the question around him. So far in this camp, there has been little to suggest that his agility for being 6-foot-6 should be an issue at this period of time. His frame allows him to play with confidence at this level and should increase as his time in the NCAA progresses at Boston University.

Alexander Nylander continues to look out of place at camp. He is too good to be here. Having played three professional seasons already in the NHL and AHL for the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans, Nylander is going to press for NHL ice time with the Blackhawks. His pace on offense and quick release make him a possibility to be a third-line scoring option right off the bat for Chicago.

Adam Boqvist looks the part of an NHL player. His confidence has increased in his game from last year to this year at this point and it shows on the ice. He is no longer hesitant in his own zone and has started to challenge more plays defensively. Adding to the continued growth of his offensive skill set, once Boqvist finds his legs at the professional level, there should be no doubt that he will be able to step into the Blackhawks lineup sooner rather than later.

Nicolas Beaudin defensive camera iso#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/df1saxVzNN

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 18, 2019

As for Nicolas Beaudin, he began focusing more on his defensive game coming into this last season and the work he put in paid off in Drummondville. While his production on the scoresheet went down, his play defensively began to take a corner and he was used more in all situations in for the Voltigeurs. Now making the jump to the professional level, once Beaudin becomes comfortable with the pace and physicality of the game at the professional level, much like Boqvist, he could see himself in the Blackhawks’ defensive group within his entry-level deal.

1v1 battle Hagel (white) vs Kurashev (red) #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2znG0g5Tlb

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 18, 2019

One of the more under-the-radar forwards at camp this week has been Philipp Kurashev. Coming out of Quebec in the QMJHL this past season, Kurashev has a great first step to his game and plays with a pace and shiftiness that will drive defenders crazy. Pair that with a high-level release on his shot and he could find himself in a top-line role for the IceHogs this season, be it at wing or at center. His showing at the World Junior Championships and World Championships with Switzerland put him on the map and his play continues to impress through development camp.

Daily one-on-one: MacKenzie Entwistle

On Wednesday, Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman had a ton of praise to heap onto prospects like Adam Boqvist, Kirby Dach and Ian Mitchell this week in camp, just to name a few. But, another player he mentioned was forward MacKenzie Entwistle. Bowman parised the two-time OHL champion for being the kind of player who embraces his role and knows his path to the NHL at such a young age. At just 20 years old, having his birthday on the Sunday before development camp, Entwistle already has the front office on notice. His play this season in his first year as a professional will give the organization a chance to better see where he fits into their NHL plans.

On back-to-back long seasons in the OHL:

“It’s obviously been a short summer again, but as a player, you want to have those kinds of seasons. Playing as long as you can and, for me, winning two championships in two years is pretty special and something a lot of guys do not get to do. The summer has been nice; I’ve had a little bit of time to rest, but I’m happy to be here now.”

Plans for his day with the J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHL Championship):

“I’m going to wait until I get back to Toronto and then most likely going to bring it up to my family’s cottage and spend time with family, take a couple pictures. Nothing too crazy planned.”

On difference between last year’s development camp after being traded, to this summer’s camp:

“Getting traded as a young player, I didn’t really know what to expect. First thing that went through my mind was, ‘What did I do? What did I do wrong?’ But, Stan welcomed me here with open arms and I remember the first call I had with him, he told me ‘You did nothing wrong. We just really liked you as a young player and that’s why we traded for you.’ As a young player, hearing that from the GM was pretty special. It’s definitely easier coming back to the second camp. Last year, I came in with an open mind and tried to learn as much as I could, meeting new players and coaches. It was kind of tough, but now I know a lot of the players and it makes it easier and is a weight off your shoulders.”

Mackenzie Entwistle wheeling and dealing#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/0fbPBapmiS

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 18, 2019

On transition from junior hockey to the professional level:

“I think I’m ready. As a player, I just want to keep taking those strides in developing as a player and as a person. Playing in juniors and at the World Junior level helped me a lot, as did going on a run last year with Guelph. I got to play with guys like Nick Suzuki and Isaac Ratcliffe and I learned a lot from them and from the coaching staff and I thought I grew a ton. I’ve put on some weight and I feel good out there and feel ready for the pro level.”

On Bowman’s praise of him being aware of his role and path to the NHL:

“As a player, I don’t see myself necessarily starting as a top-six guy or getting relied on for major points. With the World Junior team I had the same mentality and I got kind of put in that same role and I enjoyed it; I thrived in it. Obviously as an older guy in juniors, my role is a little bit different, having the experience a bit more. But for me, if I’m going to succeed at the next level, I’m going to be a third or fourth line guy who kills penalties and is reliable in the defensive zone. I don’t want to just say that; obviously, I want to keep growing my game and become a better offensive player and put up numbers. I want to keep growing as a player and as a person.”

On working to become a more well-rounded player:

“Going pro, everyone is bigger, faster, stronger. When you get to this level, you see guys in the NHL who play their role and do it the best to their ability and that’s why they get the money they do. You have face off guys and guys who kill penalties at big moments and power play guys who are the best at their craft. So, everybody has something, a little bit different role on the team. For me, that’s something that I’m trying to perfect and keep getting better at as I get older and keep learning more.”

Tomorrow will conclude the Chicago Blackhawks’ development camp week. Friday’s full-team scrimmage will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Fifth Third Bank Ice Arena, pitting Team A versus Team B.

More tomorrow on The-Rink!

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Beaudin working on two-way abilities ahead of pro debut

Coming into his second development camp with the Blackhawks, Beaudin looked smooth in his skating and had a great pace to his play as he went through drills. It is very evident when watching him that his mobility and his play with the puck on his stick are his biggest strengths.

Coming in at 6 feet and just about 180 pounds, Beaudin is on the smaller side of what you would like to see from NHL-level defensemen. While there have been plenty of successful players at that size, there is always a challenge to overcome the increasing physicality of the league, especially for a player like Beaudin, making his professional debut this year, likely with the Rockford IceHogs to start, after playing three and a half seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL.

Nicolas Beaudin blueline drill #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/eHNeq5D50E

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

“I feel like I am a more complete player now,” Beaudin said on Tuesday. “Last year, I was like, ‘Wow,’ coming into a big organization and this year I am more on the job. I know what to do.”

Making the jump to the professional ranks for Beaudin will be tricky. His game in the QMJHL was very offensively minded when he was drafted by the Blackhawks, able to produce on the power play and at even strength. But, last year, while he saw a dip in his production on the scoresheet, Beaudin was more focused on becoming a more well-rounded defenseman.

“Last year, I was more of an offensive defenseman,” Beaudin said. “This year, I feel like more of a two-way, more complete player. I’m a smooth skater, but I can work on moving my feet quicker.”

After 244 QMJHL games and 187 points (playoffs included), Beaudin will make his professional debut in 2019–20. The likelihood that he makes the Blackhawks roster out of camp is very slim, so he will get his first crack in the AHL with the IceHogs. Along with Beaudin, Boqvist and Chad Krys, who are also in camp this week, also appear set to begin the season in the AHL with Rockford.

2018 1st Rd pick Nicolas Beaudin with the skating and the stickhandling #Blackhawks #IceHogs pic.twitter.com/Ii1gi02zTE

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

On Wednesday afternoon before the prospects took the ice for the full-team session, General Manager Stan Bowman spoke to the media about the first two days of camp. When addressing the defensive group of prospects, Bowman had high praise for the trio of Beaudin, Boqvist and Ian Mitchell. In regards to Beaudin, Bowman made it clear that the ability to play up to the physical level of the pro game and to be well-rounded in his abilities should be his main focus.

“He’s a smaller defenseman, so the challenge is going to be the defending part,” Bowman said. “We like his two-way ability; he was probably the top defenseman in the QMJHL last year. He was on a good team and played a lot of minutes and played all situations. You’re trying to find your niche as a defenseman and I think the biggest thing is don’t get away from what you do well. He’s a pretty smart player; he’s got some creativity to his game. He’s not a high-risk player, but he’s got the ability to play offense as well as be defending and learning at his size how to play against bigger players, have a good stick, use his feet and his brain to defend, all the attributes you want a player in the NHL to have. So, it’s not one thing with Beaudin; it’s becoming an all-around defenseman.”

Friday’s full-team scrimmage will be the first showing for many of the prospects in camp to see how they have progressed year over year. For Beaudin, if his ability to create plays at a high pace and make sound defensive plays in his own end shows, he can make his case to no longer be the ‘throw-in’ when discussing the future of Chicago defense.

The post Nicolas Beaudin becoming well-rounded ahead of pro debut season appeared first on The Rink.

Colliton, entering his first full NHL season as the Blackhawks’ head coach, has a much different vantage point of camp this summer compared to last and Bowman has made moves that seemingly have improved the Blackhawks on paper heading into 2019–20. Wednesday, they gave their thoughts on where the current group of prospects fit into Chicago’s future.

Bowman, Colliton weigh in on development camp

Bowman entered the media room to address development camp. For the first time in a while, the Blackhawks have more than a small handful of players that have high ceilings and high potential at the next level. For Bowman, he made sure to single out at least four players continuously throughout his 20-minute scrum: Adam Boqvist, Kirby Dach, Ian Mitchell and Alexander Nylander.

Big surprise, right?

For Bowman, development camp is more of an opportunity for the players participating than it is for full evaluations from the coaching staff.

“The big thing for us is to watch these kids, how much they can absorb,” Bowman said. “We’re throwing a lot of information. These are long days for them to have seminars in the morning then they come over and do on-ice work, then they do off-ice work and at the beginning of the week we have a cooking demo for them to learn how to prepare food. So, at the end of the day, it’s a full day for them. So, it’s really for them to grow their games; it’s not so much for us to watch the evaluation.”

As far as players standing out, a few comments made by Bowman on the main four players give an idea of where the organization feels the four are at currently.

“He had a good introduction last year,” Bowman said of Boqvist. “In training camp I thought he fared pretty well, got in some exhibition games. He’s taken a big step, he had a big season. … He really got his game going from November on. I think it started a little bit slow, but for him it was just adjusting to North America and becoming used to the schedule, the pace of the play, smaller ice rink, living in North America is different than Sweden. I think he just seems more comfortable when I talk to him here; he’s a happy-go-lucky guy, but he’s taken that next step.”

Puck battle drills with Alex Nylander (white) and Adam Boqvist (red) #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/n1pfAAUPKz

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

“He’s an impressive kid,” Bowman said of Mitchell. “He’s going to be the captain at Denver (University) for a reason. He’s an articulate guy; he’s very team-oriented. You got to give him credit. He feels like there’s unfinished business and I think he’s committed to the team and committed to his teammates. He wants to lead that team and he wants to be, in his words, a difference-maker every night. I thought he had a great season last year and selfishly we think he’s ready to be a pro. … I remember talking to him at the end of the (2017) camp and I said, ‘You really opened our eyes with how far ahead you are relative to some of the other guys there.’ He was the youngest guy there at the camp and he was noticeable. Then, he comes back last year and he takes (a) step forward and here we are now. He’s very noticeable in these drills: just his quickness, how alert he is. He’s got offensive skills, but he also competes defensively. I think what we’re looking for him to do is build on that and become a dominant player like he wants to be. Yeah, we would love to have him as a pro right now, but I think he’s going to be a pro pretty soon. So, let him focus on his path. He has to believe in what he’s doing and it’s not for us to try to talk him in and out of things. Wherever he is, we’re going to support him. But, he’s ready to be a pro right now.”

Denver’s Ian Mitchell #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/xiyXz9dRZW

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

“It’s hard not to notice his skill level,” Bowman said of Dach. “He’s a big guy, but he’s got really soft hands; he’s got that long reach and he’s got a quick stick. He’s pretty tricky with the puck, he’s got the ability to hold it out so that guys can’t poke it away and if they try to get it he can pull it through and he’s got quick hands. And I think that’s what you notice. He skates well for a big guy. … These are all things that we liked about him when we drafted him, but when you get him here and put him up against guys that are a couple years older, he’s able to do some special things with the puck, so he’s got all the excitement to be on the ice, he’s a competitive kid, he’s focused, but he’s enjoying himself and he’s got a combination of attributes that we wish everybody had.”

“It was a great sign that he was eager to come,” Bowman said of Nylander. “It was pretty short notice when I talked to him the day of the trade and said, ‘We’d love to have you in Chicago if you can make it work.’ I think he did have a vacation plan, but he canceled that to come here, and that shows his desire to acclimate with our group right away. … His enthusiasm to be part of the group and he wants to get better—he’s very strong, but when you meet him off the ice, he just looks more developed than all these guys. He’s a big kid—he’s almost 200 pounds—so his physical strength is there. Now, it’s just trying to put it all together.”

Slavin (white) battles with Dach (red) #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/TjY9zsx1cg

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 17, 2019

Bowman also made note of players like Mackenzie Entwistle and his willingness to embrace his role and the skills set that will create his path to the NHL.

As more of a two-way player, Bowman stated he was impressed that Entwistle at a young age (just turning 20 years old the Sunday before camp) understood what he needed to do to be his best version. Bowman also mentioned the skating abilities of 2019 second round pick Alex Vlasic and how he has kept up to pace, even as being one of the youngest and biggest players in camp.

The buzz word of both Bowman and Colliton to the media was ‘versatility’ when discussing the moves that have been made this summer. Both made the point that the roster is much different than what it looked like at the end of last season.

“We’ve really increased the depth in our group, everywhere…I think we have more versatility to our team; we have guys—we have defenders who can play either side, we have guys who want to kill penalties and defend and take that role, we have forwards who can play different positions, kill penalties, play against good players, so we feel that’s what we were missing to our team,” Colliton said, piggy-backing off Bowman’s comments on Tuesday. “I think we’ve added a little bit of physicality and an edge, which we need to have that dimension. We have to win games in different ways, and I think if you compare the roster now to the one we ended with or the one we had when I first came in November, I think we can win in different ways and we’re prepared to have an excellent season, hopefully.”

Colliton expanded on the versatility of the roster’s current outlook.

“We want to be flexible with how we can build our lineup according to who we’re playing and being able to handle certain matchups,” Colliton said. “I’d like to be a little less reliant on certain players who can only play against the other team’s top players. We’d like to use more of our group. We want to have a flow to the team where we can play at a high pace and put pressure on teams over a 60-minute period, and you need depth in your roster. … We want to have more of the group able to play against anyone, and feel like we’re going to come out on the positive end of it. And, I think, not everyone’s going to have their best game every night. So, when you have players who can play left or right or center or left defense or right defense, then we can play the guys who are going. And the lineup isn’t as static. I think we made some major headway there.”

The Chicago Blackhawks signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a one-year, $5 million contract on July 1.

Another key focus of the roster turnover from last year to this upcoming season is the addition in net of goaltender Robin Lehner. The move came as a surprise to many in the Blackhawks’ fanbase, as it would have seemed penciled in that Corey Crawford and Collin Delia would be the defacto starter and backup heading into the summer. But, with the addition of a quality netminder like Lehner, there comes the question of workload in net and who may be the true starter.

“There’s going to be competition, certainly,” Colliton said of the goaltending situation. “But, I think you look at the teams that have had success; there has been a share, some sort of split. … Those games that maybe the traditionally the backup is playing, we need to win those, too. So now, whoever is in the net, we’re going to get an extremely high level of performance. And if we happen to be unlucky with injuries, we have some protection there, too.”

With Crawford reaching an older age, on top of his recent injury history, one could make the judgement that the split Colliton is referring to may be closer to 50-50 than most would have expected coming into the 2019–20 season.

Colliton made a point to dismiss any rumors that may have circulated that he was ‘anti-Jokiharju’ when the trade to acquire Nylander was announced by the team.

Henri Jokiharju skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Jan. 14, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Blackhawks 8–5. (Photograph courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

“I only offer my assessment of the players and, ultimately, it’s Stan that makes the call,” Colliton said. “I think there’s this idea that I’m down on Henri. Not at all. I mean he played half a season as a teenager in the NHL. Probably in a perfect world we wouldn’t have had to put him in that position, where he could have been in Rockford and able to really be playing the role that hopefully he can play down the road as being a top-pair D, trying to get to that level. … When you look at our group…we have some really good defensemen coming up. They’re a little bit smaller, a little more tilted toward the offensive side of the game. (Bowman) had an opportunity to add a guy like Nylander and felt like that was the route to go.”

The roster turnover this season in Chicago could rival some AHL-level teams with the amount of new faces joining the fold and the amount of roster spots that are seemingly available for the taking. If development camp is any indication, the players who are making their next steps closer to, or on the way into, the professional ranks in the near future are not going to be handed anything.

“We want it to be difficult to make the team,” Colliton said. “For a young player, it shouldn’t be easy. They are going to have to perform at a really high level to push someone out and that’s exactly what we want. Maybe they show that they can play at our level, but it’s still not our best roster. They can go to Rockford and continue to develop. … If we do end up with an injury or we need to shake things up, we have someone who can step in and make a difference. So that’s huge. Even among the veteran guys, we have some really good players here. There’s going to be competition for—whether it’s a roster spot or ice time or roles—I think all the great teams, they have that.”

The post Stan Bowman, Jeremy Colliton address Blackhawks camp on day three appeared first on The Rink.

Alex Vlasic taking his time with development

Through the first two days of the Blackhawks’ development camp, Vlasic has looked as advertised when he was selected in the second round. Coming into camp at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, he skates well for a player of his age and size. Vlasic is never going to ‘wow’ you with lightning-fast feet, but he understands the progression of his agility will be one of the keys to his success through the NCAA and into the NHL.

“It’s going to be tougher for me to move my feet faster, or as fast as the smaller players,” Vlasic said. “But, I think I do a good job of it. I work on it a lot, so if I continue to progress how it has been going, I should be fine.”

Alex Vlasic blueline drill#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/klTvYzyWpS

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

For Vlasic, mobility is the foremost key to his game. He has the physical tools already at 18 years old. Playing a shutdown style on the blueline for the U.S. National Team Development Program the last two seasons has given him the ability to see how his game stacks up against faster, more skilled players.

Over the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, Vlasic has had to practice against forwards like Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras, Matthew Boldy, Oliver Wahlstrom, Joel Farabee and fellow Blackhawks prospect Jake Wise. He has also competed against and has been paired with defenders like Cam York, K’Andre Miller, Bode Wilde, Ty Emberson and Mattias Samuelsson. Eleven of those players have been selected within the top 50 draft picks of the last two NHL draft classes. And those are just his teammates.

“Our team last year had a ton of success,” Vlasic said. “We had eight first round picks, or something like that, so a ton of those guys are just as good or better than some of the guys I’ll ever play against. So, to be able to experience that, it’s a good preparation for what it might be like for me in the future.”

Alex Vlasic defends on Kirby Dach, Reese Johnson, and Alexander Nylander #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/5997J1KqNZ

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

Vlasic also raved about getting to play against fellow 2019 NHL draft pick Kirby Dach so far in the first two days of camp, saying that one does not get the chance every day to play against a player of that caliber. With the first two picks of the 2019 draft compared to the first two picks of the 2018 draft by the Blackhawks on a physical level, Dach and Vlasic are near monsters compared to Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin. General Manager Stan Bowman made a shift this summer to develop players that not only had speed and skill, but also size.

Vlasic’s defensive responsibility to his game and his large frame make him a blueliner that most teams would envy. If his development over the next few seasons goes according to his and the Blackhawks’ hopes and plans, Vlasic might end up peaking as a Colton Parayko, Brandon Carlo or Tyler Myers type of player who can eat heavy minutes, play physically and be an effective penalty killer.

2019 2nd Rd pick from Wilmette, Alex Vlasic #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/fl3FiPcVd7

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

As for the immediate future, Vlasic has no plans to rush into the NHL.

“I’ve been at Boston (University) for about two weeks already doing summer classes, so I’ll definitely go there for two years or so,” Vlasic said. “Maybe two or three years and then figure out what I’m going to do from there.”

If there’s anything that Vlasic can take forward from camp about the NCAA experience and specifically about Boston University, he has some help from former and fellow Terriers Chad Krys and Jake Wise, respectively, who are both in camp this week with Vlasic.

“I’ve been friends with Wisey for one or two years now,” Vlasic said. “He played with the U.S. Development Program with me. I’ve been chatting it up with Chad Krys as well, an ex-BU player here in camp, so it’s been pretty comfortable for me.”

The post Alex Vlasic not planning to rush his development appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks development camp: Day two takeaways

Day two opened with the highlight group of Team A taking the ice first. Alexis Gravel, a 2018 sixth round pick for the Blackhawks was in net for Team A after missing yesterday’s session. Gravel had a breakout season last year with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL, helping the Mooseheads to an appearance in the QMJHL Finals and the Memorial Cup Final, which was held in Halifax. Gravel is the most senior of the goalies in camp this week as far as Blackhawks development camp appearances with two. He will return to Halifax this season for what looks to be his final year of junior hockey.

Deliberate side to side movement as well as returning upright from low saves. Good drill to get the hips and legs warm. https://t.co/bGuzcDI4FG

— Puckin Hostile (@PuckinHostile.bsky.social) (@PuckinHostile) July 16, 2019

Off the ice, the Blackhawks made a long-anticipated trade during the first session, trading Artem Anisimov to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Zack Smith. The move is not a huge upgrade on paper as far as production and usage goes, but will save the Blackhawks $1.3 million in cap space for the next two seasons.

“He’s a versatile player,” said Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman on acquiring Smith. “He’s played wing and center, which we like. He plays with an edge. He has some years in the past where he has scored a lot. The thing we like about him is his versatility.”

Bowman added that he believes that Smith brings a competitiveness and edge that the Blackhawks lacked last season. Smith has played 612 NHL games in his career, all with the Senators.

Getting back to the action on the ice at development camp, missing from Team A’s workout was Jake Wise, who skated in a non-contact sweater the day prior. Instead, Wise skated with Team B for day two. Forwards Kirby Dach, Philipp Kurashev and Alexander Nylander were again standouts during the session. Dach showed more of his agile skating ability for a player of his frame, which is a promising sign early on in his development. Kurashev and Nylander’s speed and accuracy with the puck were on display for the second day in a row, as was Brandon Hagel’s. The depth of the forward group in the prospect system was lacking heading into this summer, and so far, through the draft, trades and offseason development, looks to have become one of the strengths of the farm system for Chicago.

A skating and shooting drill#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/sFUPulNgKg

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

Defensemen Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist and Alex Vlasic again were focal points of the early session. Vlasic’s ability to skate well for his size, much like with Dach, was on display and should bode well for a player who hopes to be on the trajectory of a pre-2016 Brent Seabrook type of player. Chad Krys put on a decent shooting display that get a number of “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd at the Fifth Third Ice Arena as well.

Alex Vlasic blueline drill#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/klTvYzyWpS

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

Following the first session, Ian Mitchell met with Blackhawks media and was again asked about his plans as it pertained to playing for Denver University this year. He reiterated his intentions to return to school for his junior season and then sign with the Blackhawks once the Pioneers’ season is finished.

Ian Mitchell after Day 2 of development camp reiterates his intentions to return to Denver for his Junior season and sign with the #Blackhawks following the conclusion of his #NCAA year

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

Beaudin and Vlasic also spoke with the media following day two of camp. Both spoke on their abilities to get by the initial jitters of coming into camp for the first time. Beaudin, in his second development camp, says he feels that his game has progressed from being an offensive-style defenseman to a more complete, two-way player on the blueline. He added that his best strength is his skating, but that he can always work on being quicker.

Speaking of skating, Vlasic spoke about his abilities to play at the top-tier pace. For a 6-foot-6 defenseman in an ever-quickening game, he knows that his skating is going to be something he will always have to work on. Vlasic also stated that he plans on heading to Boston University for at least two years and then will figure out his direction from there.

Daily one-on-one: Josiah Slavin

Following the conclusion of day two of Blackhawks development camp, we were able to catch up with Blackhawks prospect Josiah Slavin. A seventh round pick for Chicago in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Slavin is headed for Colorado College this fall after completing three seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars and Chicago Steel.

On the difference between his first camp last year and being prepared for his second camp:

“It’s a different mindset this year compared to last year. I’m mentally prepared for it this time, so it feels good to be out skating with the guys again.”

Is the biggest difference from last year just knowing what to expect?

“Yeah, last year I had no idea what to expect going into it. I knew it was going to be hard but I didn’t know how hard it would be. So, going into camp and knowing what to expect makes it more enjoyable and easier to just have fun out there.”

On going through a trade last year from Lincoln to “Chicago”:

“I came downtown once, visited the area and did some shopping, but Geneva is not really Chicago. It’s a little bit away; it’s quite different. But, being in Chicago was awesome and being with the Steel trying to win the Clark Cup was a great experience.”

Slavin and Olson (red) vs Ess and Saarela (white) #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/B11dooQgjJ

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 16, 2019

On being named captain in Lincoln and maturing as a player:

“At the junior level, you are just beginning to develop your leadership skills and develop as a leader. So being named captain was awesome and I definitely grew a lot as a player and as a person. It was challenging at times, but it also had its perks.”

On moving on to Colorado College next season:

“I’m just going to try to go out and do my thing and work hard. I know it’s going to be harder than the USHL. It’s a big jump, but I’m going to do what I can and control what I can and work hard.”

Older brother Jaccob Slavin (Carolina) also played for the Steel and attended Colorado College, what advice has he given you through your career?

“He’s been through it all. He’s been giving me pointers here and there and helping me focus on the right things, making sure I’m doing the right things off the ice.”

On the Blackhawks’ expectations for him in camp:

“They’re always giving us direction and pointers about what we are doing out there: What we’re doing well, what we need to work on. So, it’s always good to have them there to help us throughout camp.”

On what he is specifically working on to improve this summer:

“I’m not the prettiest skater, so I always need to work on that. You can never have too perfect of a stride, so just focusing on that. I have speed, but I just need to keep working on the prettiness of it.”

More tomorrow on The-Rink!

The post Chicago Blackhawks development camp: Day two takeaways appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks development camp: Day one takeaways

The Blackhawks enter the development camp week having made a number of roster moves, both popular and unpopular among the fanbase, to shake up the group that finished six points out of the Western Conference postseason picture. With the changes made on paper, the NHL roster seems to be filling out quickly. But, General Manager Stan Bowman has made it seem that more moves may still be ahead as the summer continues. With the possibility of roster spots opening up to potential prospects, development camp has its share of intrigue around notable players like Adam Boqvist, Kirby Dach and Ian Mitchell.

The roster for camp is split into two teams, usually staying the same throughout the week. Heading into day one, here is how the Blackhawks divided up the roster into two teams:

Team A

• Kirby Dach
• Mackenzie Entwistle
• Brandon Hagel
• Mikael Hakkarainen
• Reese Johnson
• Philipp Kurashev
• Alexander Nylander
• Tim Soderlund
  • Did not skate on day one
• Jake Wise
• Nicolas Beaudin
• Adam Boqvist
• Jakub Galvas
• Chad Krys
• Ian Mitchell
• Alex Vlasic
• Dominic Basse
• Alexis Gravel
• Zackarias Skog
• Dominik Kubalik
  • Off-ice only

Team B

• Mathias From
• Dylan McLaughlin
• Kyle Olson
• Logan Ommen
• Antti Saarela
• Josiah Slavin
• Jonny Sorenson
• Michal Teply
• Josh Ess
• Roope Laavainen
• Cole Moberg
• Jake Ryczek
• Ryan Shea
• Devin Cooley
• Stefanos Lekkas
• Mareks Mitens
• Evan Barratt
  • Off-ice only
• Parker Foo
  • Off-ice only
• Niklas Nordgren
  • Off-ice only

It will be interesting to see if any changes will be made during the week or before Friday morning’s full-team scrimmage, as Team A is a bit more unbalanced as far as top-end talent goes than Team B is.

Team B began day one on the ice. With Barratt, Foo and Nordgren working out off the ice, the team’s on-ice workout was highlighted by college hockey prospects like Wisconsin’s Josh Ess, Northwestern’s Ryan Shea and Colorado College commit Josiah Slavin. The Blackhawks added to the mix Bolingbrook, Illinois, native Logan Ommen of the Janesville Jets in the NAHL.

For Barratt, working off the ice has not slowed down his confidence. Talking about his offseason, Barratt had right hip surgery about three months ago, but has already resumed skating workouts and says he will be ready for the upcoming NCAA season with Penn State. Barratt finished with 43 points last season, ranking in the top 15 of the NCAA. His 1.34 points per game pace was fourth-best in the NCAA last year.

Slavin and Ommen stood out in one-on-one drills, as did QMJHL defenseman Jake Ryczek. Saarela stood out from the group from a speed standpoint. From a physical tools standpoint, Ess and Slavin looked the parts of players who have developed their games from last year to this summer.

Ess, heading into his third year at Wisconsin, looks to be a key defensive player for a Badgers team that will bring in U.S. National Team Development Program standouts Cole Caufield, Owen Lindmark and Alex Turcotte. For Slavin, he will play for Colorado College next year after playing three years in the USHL.

Team A took the ice in the afternoon with the highlighted players of the week getting their first taste of the work ahead. Adam Boqvist, Kirby Dach, Ian Mitchell, Alexander Nylander and the like got their first work in and the levels of player development at the Junior and NCAA levels were highly evident.

Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist and Alexander Nylander meet with the media on day one of #Blackhawks development camp pic.twitter.com/hzjDD3Vl3v

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

The Team A session had a faster pace to their opening drills. Jake Wise, wearing a black practice sweater with no number, looked fast and healthy after missing most of last season at Boston University. 2019 draft picks Michal Teply, Alex Vlasic and Dach all had positive showings on day one. Vlasic and Dach’s size compared to last year’s top picks of Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin served as the physical representation of Stan Bowman’s shift in draft strategy from year to year, as the 2019 top picks stood tall over the 2018 crew.

Mackenzie Entwistle, Brandon Hagel, Reese Johnson, Chad Krys and Philipp Kurashev, all vying for ice time this season with the IceHogs, will be making their first full professional season debuts in Rockford this year. Much like the 2017–18 season, the young group of rookies expected in Rockford look quick early on and should pan out to provide the offensive spark that was missing from last year’s team.

Daily one-on-one: Chad Krys

Talking with Chad Krys after day one of development camp, the longest tenured prospect in camp this year talked with The-Rink about closing his NCAA career at Boston University, making the jump to the professional ranks and what he passes along to the next group of prospects coming up.

On being the “veteran” at development camp:

“Defintely feel like the veteran. A lot of new faces over the years and not a lot of familiar faces that have been here over the years, but yeah I feel a little bit older. Doesn’t feel like it’s been four years, but yeah, it’s different.”

On making the step up to the professional level:

“I thought it was important to get out there at the end of the season and play before the summer. Good to get some experience and get to meet everyone and get to know the systems and the day-to-day life. Obviously going from college to pro is a huge difference and I thought that (Rockford head) coach (Derek) King and the staff really helped me. I felt that I made a lot of strides in the nine games that I was there.”

Chad Krys defends on Reese Johnson, Brandon Hagel, and Alexander Nylander #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/JjNFu4ImIl

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

On taking his time developing through college:

“Most importantly, when you go to college you grow up, both on and off the ice. You get a lot of life experiences off the ice, away from the rink. I think it was really important for my development and I played with a lot of good players (at Boston) that are in the NHL or are going to be in the NHL pretty soon, so it was a great environment there and great place to grow as a player.”

On giving Alex Vlasic (headed to Boston University this year) advice about the college experience:

“Yeah, I’ll probably give him a few places to check out. I think the thing I try to tell all the guys is to enjoy it because once you leave, it’s over. You become a professional and it’s your livelihood. I try to tell them to enjoy it and learn as much as possible.”

On what expectations, if any, the Blackhawks have given him heading into this season:

“I think it’s expected you come into camp in shape and ready to go. Everybody is coming into camp and competing for a spot, and that’s what I’m going to do and I’m looking forward to it. You try to take as much as you can from, for example, my experience at the end of last year and what I can take from this camp here in Chicago. I’m training here and I’m working to make the (Blackhawks).”

More tomorrow on The-Rink!

The post Chicago Blackhawks development camp: Day one takeaways appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks development camp: Forwards

The Blackhawks made it a priority at this year’s NHL Entry Draft to get an impact forward with the third overall pick. Selecting Kirby Dach from the Saskatoon Blades, the Blackhawks finally have the marquee forward in their prospect system that they had lacked for the last handful of seasons. Dach will be the main focus in the forwards group, but players like Mackenzie Entwistle, Philipp Kurashev and newly acquired Alexander Nylander will have plenty of attention focused on them by fans and Blackhawks brass.

** Player will only participate in off-ice workouts
(camp jersey number)

• Evan Barratt (25) — Center, 2019–20 team: Penn State (NCAA) **
  • 2018–19: 16 goals, 27 assists, 43 points, +19
  • Barratt is at the top of the second tier of Blackhawks forward prospects in the system. A player who has a bit of scoring touch with an added bit of edge to his game, he took a big step forward last year in his second season with Penn State. If he can replicate his production this year, he could very well see a shot at NHL ice-time once his NCAA season ends next spring.
• Kirby Dach (77) — Center, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
  • 2018–19: 25 goals, 48 assists, 73 points, +15
  • As mentioned before, Dach is going to be the main attraction at camp this year. The highest NHL draft pick since Patrick Kane in 2007, Dach has a lot of intrigue and potential surrounding him. Questions still remain about what his role with the Blackhawks may end up being next season. Could he play in the NHL full-time or will he slide back to the WHL? If he impresses in development camp and training camp later in September, he could work his way into an NHL role with Chicago faster than most expect.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed 2019 first round draft pick Kirby Dach to a three-year entry-level contract on Monday afternoon. (Photograph courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks)

• Mackenzie Entwistle (37) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Hamilton and Guelph (OHL): 30 goals, 27 assists, 57 points, +10
  • Entwistle made a quick move from the Coyotes to the Blackhawks this time last year after being involved in the Marian Hossa trade. He made a quick impression on the Blackhawks and showed promise throughout camp and the preseason. He became a two-time OHL champion this year, winning with the Guelph Storm. Barring a herculean effort in camp this year, he will get his first taste of professional hockey with the Rockford IceHogs. He turns 20 years old on the Sunday before camp opens.

• Parker Foo (52) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Union College (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: five goals, 10 assists, 15 points, +8
  • Foo improved from his freshman season at Union College, but still is relatively buried on the Blackhawks organization depth chart for forwards. He has good speed to his game and upper-level skill in his hands and will look to continue to build upon his first two years at the NCAA level.
• Mathias From (76) — Wing, 2019–20 team: MODO (Allsvenskan)
  • 2018–19 with AIK (Allsvenskan): eight goals, eight assists, 16 points, +6
  • From has bounced around while playing in Sweden the last few seasons. A former fifth round pick by Chicago, he has yet to play in a game on North American ice. A moderately-skilled two-way winger, the Blackhawks have until June 1, 2020 to decide if From fits into their plans moving forward.
• Brandon Hagel (29) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Red Deer (WHL): 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points, +42
  • This will be Hagel’s first camp with the Blackhawks organization. A former sixth round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2016, Hagel was signed by the Blackhawks in October last year after not being given a contract from Buffalo. He went on to finish tied for fourth in the league in points and eighth in the league in goals. Hagel joined the IceHogs for the final eight games of the season and will rejoin Rockford this season for his first full season at the pro level. He possesses a good amount of versatility in his game and has a top-end scoring touch.

Rockford IceHogs forward Brandon Hagel carries the puck during the 2018–19 season. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• Mikael Hakkarainen (15) — Center, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Muskegon (USHL): 19 goals, 28 assists, 47 points, +24
  • After three seasons in the USHL, Hakkarainen makes his first jump to the professional level this year. He has an interesting jump ahead of him, having been an older player in the USHL the last two years being 20 and 21 years old playing against teenagers. If he can find consistency in his game, as some scouts worry about his compete level, he could very well make a sizable impact for the IceHogs on the score sheet.
• Reese Johnson (78) — Center/Wing, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Red Deer (WHL): 27 goals, 26 assists, 53 points, +15
  • A teammate of Hagel’s with Red Deer, Johnson captained the Rebels last year and was signed late last season. He joined the IceHogs for six games to end the season last year and tallied four assists. He will get his first full professional season under his belt this year with the IceHogs and will likely be a full-time fixture in their lineup.
• Dominik Kubalik (97) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Rockford IceHogs (AHL) **
  • 2018–19 with Ambri-Piotta (NLA): 25 goals, 32 assists, 57 points, +5
  • It is unfortunate that Kubalik will not be skating at development camp to make his debut with the Blackhawks organization. After acquiring Kubalik from the Los Angeles Kings, the Chicago fanbase was introduced to Kubalik at the World Championships in impressive fashion. After leading the NLA in Switzerland in points last year, there are heavy expectations that Kubalik will make the Blackhawks roster to begin the season. We will have to wait until training camp to see him for the first time.

Dominik Kubalik comes to North America this season after playing in Switzerland in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of Lucas Filipec / sport.aktualne.cz)

• Philipp Kurashev (54) — Center/wing, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Quebec (QMJHL): 29 goals, 36 assists, 65 points, -8
  • A versatile forward with dynamic talent, Kurashev could very likely become the steal of the Blackhawks’ 2018 draft class. After impressive showings at the World Juniors and World Championships, he made a name for himself within the Blackhawks’ system. He joined the IceHogs for just three games to end last season, but will get his first big taste of professional hockey this year with Rockford. He may even give the Blackhawks something to consider with a strong performance this summer.
• Dylan McLaughlin (96) — Center, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) / Indy Fuel (ECHL)
  • 2018–19 with Canisius College (NCAA): 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, -6
  • After finishing his four-year NCAA career at Canisius College, McLaughlin made the short jump to the professional ranks with the IceHogs, where he sakted in seven games and tallied two assists. McLaughlin was a Hobey Baker Finalist in 2018 as a junior at Canisius. He will likely move between the IceHogs and Indy Fuel next season in his first full year of professional hockey.
• Niklas Nordgren (94) — Wing, 2019–20 team: HIFK (LIIGA) **
  • 2018–19: four goals, three assists, seven points, -3
  • An undersized winger from the 2018 draft class, Nordgren made a decent impression at development camp last season. A season after helping Finlad win the U18 World Junior Championships gold medal, Nordgren played in 15 games in the Finnish pro league LIIGA for HIFK, his second season playing that many games at the pro level. He will return to HIFK this season, looking to play the full year in the top tier.
• Alexander Nylander (92) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Rochester Americans (AHL): 12 goals, 19 assists, 41 points, +11
  • It was a less than warm welcome to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nylander. Chicago acquired the former eighth overall pick in exchange for Henri Jokiharju just a week prior to the opening of development camp. Suffice to say, the large majority of the Blackhawks’ fan community did not take the news well, citing the lopsided loss for the Blackhawks in the trade. But, Nylander has potential; it just remains to be seen if Chicago can pull it out of him like they did with Dylan Strome. Since being drafted in 2016, Nylander has just six points in 19 NHL games. Development camp will be his first chance to win over the organization and fan base.

Newly acquired forward Alexander Nylander played with the Rochester Americans in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of Graig Abel/Getty Images)

• Kyle Olson (61) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Tri-City Americans (WHL)
  • 2018–19 with Tri-City (WHL): 21 Goals, 49 assists, 70 points, -3
  • A 2017 fourth round draft pick by the Anaheim Ducks, Olson was second on the Tri-City Americans in points last season with 70. He will return to Tri-City this season, where he has been named as the team captain. Scouts describe him as a playmaker with an edge to his game, not afraid to get dirty from time to time. His drafts rights expired with Anaheim as of June 1.
• Antti Saarela (73) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Ilves (LIIGA)
  • 2018–19 with Lukko (LIIGA): two goals, eight assists, 10 points, +3
  • The younger brother of Aleksi Saarela, who the Blackhawks acquired this offseason, Antti was taken in the fourth round of this June’s NHL draft by Chicago. An energy winger with upper-level offensive skills, Saarela will hope to play a full season in the Finnish Pro LIIGA this year with Ilves after spending the last four seasons with Lukko.
• Josiah Slavin (23) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Colorado College (NCAA)
  • 2018–19 with Lincoln and Chicago (USHL): 24 goals, 23 assists, 47 points, -9
  • The younger brother of Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, Josiah makes the jump to the NCAA this season, as he is set to join Colorado College. Slavin, a seventh round pick in last year’s NHL draft, finished last season in the USHL with the Chicago Steel and posted eight points in the playoffs as Chicago lost in the Clark Cup Final. In his four years in the USHL, he tallied 103 points in 168 games.
• Tim Soderlund (64) — Center/wing, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Frolunda and Skelleftea (SHL): six goals, eight assists, 14 points, +/- 0
  • Soderlund made a splash in his first Blackhawks development camp appearance in 2017. A fourth round draft pick that year, Soderlund has since garnered comparisons to fellow Swede Viktor Arvidsson on the ice, but that praise has yet to translate on the scoresheet. After a stellar performance at the 2018 World Junior Championships, Soderlund split time between Frolunda and Skelleftea in the Swedish SHL last year. He will make his North American pro debut this season with the IceHogs.

Tim Soderlund comes to North America after spending 2018–19 in Sweden. (Photograph courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

• Jonny Sorenson (98) — Wing/center, 2019–20 team: Minnesota (NCAA)
  • 2018–19 with Fairbanks (NAHL): 17 goals, 39 assists, 56 points, +13
  • After dominating in the high school ranks in Minnesota, Sorenson played last season with Fairbanks of the NAHL, where he was nearly a point-per-game player and was named the league’s rookie of the year. He will again move up in competition this season, as he is set to attend Minnesota.
• Michal Teply (53) — Wing, 2019–20 team: Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
  • 2018–19 with Bili Tygri Liberec (Czech): zero goals, two assists, two points, +1
  • Teply may end up being quite the sleeper pick for the Blackhawks from this past June’s NHL draft. Taken in the fourth round, Teply was the fourth overall selection in the CHL import draft by the Winnipeg Ice and is expected to make the jump from Europe to the WHL this season. Already measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Teply possesses size and a scoring touch that could make him a prospect to keep a close eye on.
• Jake Wise (24) — Center, 2019–20 team: Boston University (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: zero goals, two assists, two points, -7
  • It is tough to get a read on Wise heading into this year’s development camp. A third round pick in last year’s draft, Wise looked the part of a skilled two-way centerman for the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2018, but injuries derailed his 2018–19 season at Boston University, only allowing him to play in 12 games. A bounce back year is hopefully in store for him, as he had garnered expectations to eventually slot into a top-nine role for the Blackhawks in the near future.

Blackhawks development camp: Defensemen

The spotlight on the Chicago Blackhawks defensive depth chart has been pretty bright over the last few days. With the trade of Henri Jokiharju to the Sabres to acquire Alexander Nylander, the “Big Four” in the system of Jokiharju, Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell has been reduced, and a heavy amount of expectations are now resting with the remaining three players. Still, it looks as though there is no room on the NHL roster for them just yet. But beyond those three players, the Blackhawks’ young defensive depth is pretty impressive, especially with the addition of 2019 second round pick Alex Vlasic added to the mix.

• Nicolas Beaudin (34) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Drummondville (QMJHL): seven goals, 49 assists, 56 points, +60
  • Often a second-thought behind Boqvist, Beaudin is not a player that you want to forget about. Taken late in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft, Beaudin is an offensively gifted defender that can facilitate offense from the blue line. While undersized, Beaudin has the ability to use his speed to his advantage at both ends of the ice. He will make the jump to the professional ranks this season with the Rockford IceHogs.
• Adam Boqvist (27) — Right-handed, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with London (OHL): 20 goals, 40 assists, 60 points, +12
  • What more needs to be said about Boqvist that has not already been? A highly-gifted offensive defender, Boqvist is looked at as the next “it” player on defense for the Blackhawks. Again, an undersized defender who uses his feet well at both ends of the ice, his defending skills in his own end still need improvement to catch up to his offensive skillset. If he can put it all together, he may have a chance at living up to the “next Erik Karlsson” expectations many have placed on him since going eighth overall in last year’s NHL draft. He is eligible to play with the Rockford IceHogs this season, but could give Chicago a reason to consider him for NHL time if he has a breakout summer.

Adam Boqvist skates during an OHL game last season. (Photograph courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks)

• Josh Ess (17) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Wisconsin (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: five goals, eight assists, 13 points, +2
  • A seventh round pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Ess has improved drastically in his two seasons at Wisconsin. In his second year, Ess saw a significant increase in his ice-time and responsibilities for the Badgers. He will return for his third season this year looking to be a top-pairing option.
• Jakub Galvas (42) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Jukurit (LIIGA)
  • 2018–19 with HC Olomouc (Czech): four goals, 13 assists, 17 points, +4
  • A good puck-moving defenseman, Galvas finished his third full season in the Czech pro league last year with HC Olomouc. Having just turned 20 years old, Galvas already has 118 professional games under his belt in the Czech pro league and will now move on to the Finnish pro LIIGA and play next season with Jukurit.
• Chad Krys (36) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • 2018–19 with Boston (NCAA): eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points, -10
  • The development camp veteran among this year’s group, Krys will be making his fourth appearance with the Blackhawks camp since being a second round pick in the 2016 NHL draft. A highly-touted offensive defender out of the U.S. National Team Development Program when he was drafted, Krys has spent the last three years at Boston University and has shown slight improvement year to year. While not at the pace that maybe the organization or fan base had expected, Krys joined the IceHogs late last season and ended up tallying four assists in nine games and getting heavy minutes down the stretch of the season. In his NCAA career, Krys tallied 58 points in 105 games and will be with Rockford for his first full professional season this year, looking to be a top-pairing option for the IceHogs.

Rockford IceHogs defenseman Chad Krys makes a pass at the end of the 2018–19 season. (Photograph courtesy of the Milwaukee Admirals)

• Roope Laavainen (44) — Right-handed, 2019–20 team: HPK (LIIGA)
  • 2018–19 with HPK (LIIGA): one goal, two assists, three points, +1
  • A former fourth round pick by the Blackhawks, Laavainen was one of the few defenders in the last two drafts, before 2019, to be over 6 feet tall. His mix of size and ability to move the puck effectively make him an intriguing European prospect for the organization. He bounced around the Finnish pro LIIGA last year on loans, but returns to HPK this season.
• Ian Mitchell (46) — Right-handed, 2019–20 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) / Denver (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: six goals, 21 assists, 27 points, +18
  • Mitchell was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft and was a sleeper defender in the Blackhawks’ system for the past two years. He emerged as a highly skilled two-way defender in his freshman year at the University of Denver with 30 points and took another step in his sophomore year with the Pioneers and with Team Canada at the 2019 World Juniors. Mitchell held leadership roles with Denver and Team Canada last year and will captain the Pioneers this season. According to a report by Scott Powers of The Athletic, Mitchell and the Blackhawks will discuss his fit into the organization during camp and he may reconsider his return to Denver this season. If he does stay with the Pioneers, Mitchell will be the go-to defenseman this year and could then make his pro debut once the NCAA season ends.

Ian Mitchell has quickly risen to be a high-end defensive prospect in Chicago’s system. (Photograph courtesy of dobberprospects.com)

• Cole Moberg (20) — Right-handed, 2019–20 team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
  • 2018–19: 13 goals, 27 assists, 40 points, -33
  • A seventh round pick by the Blackhawks in this June’s NHL draft, Moberg has plenty of size at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, and has even split time at forward and on the blue line with Prince George in the WHL. Last season, Moberg finished with 40 points and ranked third on the team in scoring. He will return to the WHL this season, looking to be a focal point in the Cougars’ attack as they try to improve on their fourth-to-last finish in the WHL last year.
• Jake Ryczek (43) — Right-handed, 2019–20 team: TBD (2018–19: Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)
  • 2018–19: nine goals, 24 assists, 33 points, +33
  • Ryczek is an interesting defensive prospect. After being selected in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL draft, Ryczek played his final year in the USHL before heading to Providence College, but only played in five games before leaving the NCAA to play in the QMJHL. In two years as an over-ager for the Halifax Mooseheads, Ryczek played a middle-pairing role and was able to put up decent numbers from the blue line. His future is murky with Chicago, though, and the Blackhawks still have time to decide his place in the organizational depth.
• Ryan Shea (6) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Northeastern (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: three goals, 13 assists, 16 points, +23
  • One of the more consistent performers at the NCAA ranks for the Blackhawks’ system, Shea looks to return to Northeastern for his senior season after helping the Huskies win the Hockey East conference last year. Having not yet missed a game at the NCAA level, Shea looks to be a top-pairing option for Northeastern this year and will likely take on a leadership role as he did last year.

The Blackhawks added to their strong defensive prospect depth by selecting Alex Vlasic in last month’s draft. (Photograph courtesy of Rena Laverty / USA Hockey)

• Alex Vlasic (45) — Left-handed, 2019–20 team: Boston University (NCAA)
  • 2018–19 with U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL/USDP): six goals, 36 assists, 42 points, +7
  • The biggest draft pick the Blackhawks have made in quite some time in regards to physical size, Vlasic, a native of Wilmette, Illinois, and cousin of San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, stands at 6-foot-6 and comes in at 200 pounds. A physical, stay-at-home style of defenseman, Vlasic was part of the U.S. National Team Development Program the last two seasons and was consistently one of their best defenders in their own zone. He has a big slap shot and his skating is better than most players at his age and size. He will be attending Boston University this year.

Blackhawks development camp: Goalies

One position the Blackhawks have relatively not had to focus on for the last eight or nine years has been goaltender. With Corey Crawford being a solid starting goaltender for most of his NHL career, Chicago was able to let their development of goaltenders slide. But, with recent injury problems to Crawford, the future of the goaltending position is in need of attention. Chicago signed Collin Delia after an impressive development camp in 2017 and he has since become the organization’s No. 3 in line after signing Robin Lehner this summer. Behind Delia is Kevin Lankinen, who will push Delia for starting time in Rockford this year, but beyond him is a question mark. Chicago has drafted a goaltender in back-to-back drafts and they will be on display in this year’s development camp.

• Dominic Basse (82) — Catches left, 2019–20 team: TBD (Committed to Colorado College, NCAA)
  • 2018–19 with USA Selects Hockey Academy (U18): 42 games, 1.91 goals against average, .924 save percentage
  • Basse is a highly intriguing prospect. A sixth round pick by the Blackhawks in this past June’s NHL draft, Basse clocks in at 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds. His size jumps off the page, as do his number from the USA Selects Hockey Academy. He is headed to Colorado College in 2021.

The Chicago Blackhawks added to their goaltending prospect pool by selecting Dominic Basse in this year’s draft. (Photograph courtesy of Colorado College)

• Devin Cooley (80) — Catches left, 2019–20 team: Denver (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: 20 games, 1.85 goals against average, .934 save percentage
  • An unsigned camp invitee, Cooley was the backup in Denver last season and was a part of a highly successful Pioneers team. He will look to take over the starting job in Denver this season as a junior.
• Alexis Gravel (70) — Catches right, 2019–20 team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
  • 2018–19: 49 games, 2.49 goals against average, .913 save percentage
  • The one “known commodity” at this year’s development camp in net for the Blackhawks is Alexis Gravel. A sixth round pick in last year’s NHL draft, Gravel has matured into a rock-solid starter in the QMJHL with Halifax. Helping the Mooseheads to the QMJHL Finals this spring and the Memorial Cup Final, Gravel will look to get the Mooseheads over the hump in what looks to be his final season in the QMJHL before making the jump to the professional game in the 2020–21 season.

Halifax Mooseheads goaltender Alexis Gravel stands in the net. (Photograph courtesy of the Halifax Mooseheads)

• Stefanos Lekkas (40) — Catches left, 2019–20 team: TBD (2018–19: Vermont, NCAA)
  • 2018–19: 34 Games, 2.27 goals against average, .930 save percentage
  • An Illinois native from Elburn, Lekkas is the smallest of the goaltenders in camp this summer. His numbers with Vermont as a starter are impressive and he put things together this season, posting career bests in goals against average and save percentage on his way to being named second team All-Hockey East.
• Mareks Mitens (30) — Catches left, 2019–20 team: Lake Superior State (NCAA)
  • 2018–19: 11 games, 2.31 goals against average, .919 save percentage
  • Leader in the clubhouse for best name at development camp, Mitens is another unsigned camp invitee for the Blackhawks this summer. He has spent the last two seasons as a backup at Lake Superior State and will look to take over the starting role this season.
• Zackarias Skog (92) — Catches left, 2019–20 team: TBD (2018–19: American International College, NCAA)
  • 2018–19: 35 games, 2.68 goals against average, .899 save percentage
  • The final of the four unsigned camp invitees in net, Skog helped backstop AIC to the AHA regular season and tournament championships this season and was named to the AHA All-Tournament team.

When and where?

• Fifth Third Arena
  • 1801 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL
• Monday, July 15–Friday, 19
  • 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.–Thurs.
  • 9:30 a.m. Friday (Full team scrimmage)

The post Chicago Blackhawks development camp roster breakdown appeared first on The Rink.

When the Blackhawks went off the “script” in at the NHL draft a few weeks ago, the fan base was a bit surprised. With all the coverage and endless mock drafts it would be hard to say any of us were truly shocked, but surprised is a safe label. Most of the people who cover the team were fairly certain that it was mostly a two-horse race between Bowen Byram and Alex Turcotte, while Kirby Dach was the long-shot making a late push.

As we all saw, the Blackhawks selected Dach.

Honestly, I much preferred that they pick a forward. They have enough higher-end defensemen in the pipeline and no quality forwards. Sure, they might not have a Byram-type defenseman, but they have a pretty close version in last year’s top pick, Adam Boqvist. The bottom line is that no one they picked was a slam dunk to make the roster, and, even if they do/did, an 18-year-old kid is not moving the needle for this organization for 2019–20.

This brings me to this latest silly notion that if Dach does not play the entire season with the Blackhawks, Stan Bowman somehow failed and is due to be fired. That is complete and utter nonsense. If he blows the doors off the United Center this fall and makes the team, that would be wonderful. It is very likely, though, that Dach could land back in Saskatoon even after a potential nine-game NHL trial period…and that is alright.

In last year’s draft class, only eight first round picks played in the NHL and just five of those played more than 10 games: Rasmus Dahlin (BUF), Andrei Svechnikov (CAR), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (MTL), Brady Tkachuk (OTT) and Isac Lundestrom (ANA). Of those first four players, they all played over 70 games and had over 34 points. Lundestrom played only 15 games at the beginning of the season and had only two assists before being sent to Sweden and eventually to the AHL.

The previous year, it took eventual 2019 Calder Trophy winner Elias Pettersson (No. 5 overall) and Calder finalist Miro Heiskanen (No. 3 overall) a full year of development before making the NHL. The fourth overall pick, Cale Makar, spent the entire last season in college and made his NHL debut in the final days of the regular season.

You can see where I am going here.

Do not be surprised if Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko are the only players from this draft that play in the NHL this season. Despite all the media hoopla and comparisons surrounding Byram, he is still only an 18-year-old defenseman that might take some time to adjust. Going back to the WHL could only help him. Alex Turcotte is already committed to Wisconsin and will spend at least one season playing there before taking the ice for the Los Angeles Kings.

Even Jonathan Toews, who could possibly be the best center in franchise history, went back to college for a year when he was selected third overall. So, imagine saying Dale Tallon should have been fired because Toews did not play in the NHL in 2006, or calling for the heads of Jim Nill or Jim Benning because Heiskanen or Pettersson took an additional year to develop.

By all accounts, none of those players are busts and have bright NHL futures ahead. Racing a teenager, used to playing against other teenagers, into the NHL against men just to prove some kind of convoluted point is just irresponsible and anyone advocating that should be embarrassed.

Let the Blackhawks develop the players on the timeline best for the player. When Bowman eventually gets fired (and he will because no GM stays forever), it should be because of more than one draft pick not being forced to flip a switch and go from teenager-to-man in three months.

Feel free to comment and discuss below.

The post ANALYSIS: Blackhawks need to let Dach develop at his own pace appeared first on The Rink.

Each year, it seems that more NHL prospects are choosing college hockey as their route to the pros.  It is not just because the level of competition has increased, but it gives players the opportunity to thrive as student athletes and to be around kids their age in an educational environment. This year, Blackhawks prospect Josiah Slavin will be heading to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for his freshman year playing for the Colorado College Tigers. Led by former Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland, the Tigers play in one of the toughest conferences in college hockey, as the NCHC has been home to the last four NCAA national champions.

Slavin has some history with Colorado College. His big brother, Jaccob, attended CC from 2013–2014 and now plays for the Carolina Hurricanes. Although he will not be playing with his brother, Josiah will not be going to college alone. He will be joined by fellow Chicago Steel alum Casey Staum. Staum is a 2016 Montreal Canadiens fifth round draft pick and played in the USHL for three seasons.

Last season after Slavin was drafted, he made a strong impression with the Blackhawks staff at development camp. His size and skill, although somewhat raw, complemented his compete level nicely. He won pucks in the corners and created chances for his teammates a lot of the times out of nothing. Slavin also looked very strong on the puck. It is not often that late-round draft picks are talked about, but he did get Joel Quenneville’s attention on the first day.

As Slavin enters his first year in the NCHC, he could really thrive under Haviland. The Tigers play a simple, downhill game that is so persistent that you can never count them out until that third buzzer. Haviland preaches that a simple game with hard work will reward you with success. The Tigers won a lot of games despite several injuries to key players last season, and as they continue bringing in their recruits under Haviland, they will continue to round out their depth. Slavin will play a big role in their improvement.

Four times a year, Slavin will run into a familiar face in Ian Mitchell, a junior at the University of Denver who is now captain of the Pioneers. Slavin and Mitchell will have participated in two development camps after this July and will now be a part of a bitter rivalry in the Battle for the Gold Pan between CC and DU. The games tend to be competitive and very hard-hitting no matter where the teams are in the standings.

Something to watch for next season is how much opportunity Haviland gives his young guys. After losing seniors Mason Berg, Trey Bradley and Westin Michaud, the Tigers lost a lot of production and top-six players. CC will be leaning on a couple sophomores in Ben Copeland and Grant Cruikshank and to step up and help senior Nick Halloran put points on the board. Slavin could be a big help on the powerplay if he can get to dirty areas and use his size to his advantage. If he can stay healthy and implement his leadership skills in a very team-first system, Slavin could be an immediate-impact type player for the Tigers.

The post Blackhawks’ Josiah Slavin set to debut with Colorado College this fall appeared first on The Rink.

With new reports coming out over the weekend from the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, along with the actual results of the testing and interviews from the combine, it seems that the scope of the Blackhawks’ plans have begun to narrow ever so slightly. So let’s talk about what the Blackhawks are facing with their potential draft pick with everything that is in my brain about the No. 3 overall pick.

Byram to the rescue

What has been one of the biggest issues for the Blackhawks since their last Stanley Cup Playoff run? Defending. While injuries to Corey Crawford have forced Chicago to try to manage with less-than-Crawford-level goaltending, the core of the defense has not been up to the level of the 2013 or 2013–14 season since that time. Chicago in 2015 survived off a bionic performance from Duncan Keith and the last bit of top-end play left in Brent Seabrook‘s tank; Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya locking everyone down also helped, too.

None of those players are walking back through the doors of the Blackhawks’ locker room and the porous defense of the past two seasons needs to be addressed. While Keith and Seabrook can still produce at the NHL, they are not able to play up to their older versions of themselves anymore. Erik Gustafsson broke out last season as an offensive threat from the blue line, but at the same time was a liability when trying to defend in his own zone. Beyond those three, Chicago’s defensive group at the NHL/AHL level is currently full of bottom-pairing options and “maybes” outside of Henri Jokiharju.

Chicago has used their last three first round picks and a 2017 second round pick on defensemen by picking Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist, Jokiharju and Ian Mitchell, respectively. While none of these players have been proven at the NHL level yet—fully or at all—there is a great deal of potential and hype surrounding them. Still, one cannot bank that they will all be franchise-changers on their first day in the NHL.

Adam Boqvist skates during an OHL game this season. (Photograph courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks)

Jokiharju managed to hold his own in the NHL last season before being allowed to leave the team to play for Finland in the World Junior Championship and then being sent to the Rockford IceHogs to complete his season in the AHL, where he looked more than capable of playing major minutes. He hopefully factors to be in the conversation as a long-term option for the Blackhawks to rely on in their defensive core for years to come. Mitchell is returning to Denver this upcoming NCAA season and will lead the Pioneers as team captain. Beaudin will make his professional debut this season, likely with the IceHogs in the AHL.

Then there is Boqvist, the Blackhawks’ eighth overall selection in last year’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft. For a whole year, Boqvist was sold to the Chicago fanbase as the next player that the defense would be built around. An offensive threat with comparisons to Erik Karlsson, Boqvist was one of the last cuts in training camp prior to heading to the London Knights of the OHL last summer. While finding his place in the defensive rotation might be a chore for Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton, Boqvist has a legitimate shot at playing in the NHL this upcoming season, if in fact his defensive game has come around to the point where he is more along the lines of Karlsson and not Gustafsson.

Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants carries the puck. (Photograph courtesy of the Western Hockey League)

All this said, there are still too many questions surrounding the defensive problems facing the Blackhawks. But, could Bowen Byram be the answer?

Byram, ranked second among North American skaters behind Jack Hughes by NHL Central Scouting, is the unquestioned top defenseman in this year’s draft class. Hailing from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Byram is one of the youngest players in the class, turning 18 years old on June 13, just a week ahead of the draft. Playing for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL this season, Byram was the go-to defenseman for the eventual WHL runners-up. Playing in 67 games this season, he tallied 71 points and ranked 31st overall in the league and third overall among defensemen in the WHL. His 26 points in 22 WHL Playoff games led the league in the postseason.

Bowen Byram speaks to the media at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. (Photograph courtesy of NHL.com)

No doubt, the spotlight shined brighter on Byram as the WHL season went along. He came into the WHL postseason as one of the top draft prospects for teams in the lottery range and his performance for the Giants forced his name right into position behind Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko as a potential pick for the Blackhawks at third overall.

With Chicago’s deficiencies at defense, on the surface, picking Byram looks like a slam dunk. But a deeper dive shows that, while he could arguably be ready for the NHL next season, the Blackhawks could run into organizational issues with too much of a good thing being a bad thing.

Byram has said himself that he feels ready to play in the NHL next season. Confidence in himself and his game are admirable traits for a player of his age, especially if he is going to be drafted by a team that wants to plug him into their NHL roster right away. If the Blackhawks are one of those teams that believe he can play in the NHL next season and plan on playing him in that role, the defensive group at the NHL level and the prospect pool becomes even more crowded. Would Chicago actually consider playing three defensemen all under the age of 20 in the same year? That is highly unlikely.

So the waiting game then begins with the defensive prospect group as a potential Beaudin, Boqvist, Byram, Jokiharju, Mitchell buildup becomes too much of a good thing. There are only so many roster spots and, in the next three years, it seems unlikely all five of those players would be on the roster since they all play similar styles and are all within an inch and a few pounds here or there of being the same build. Finesse and skill on defense can only bring you so far in the NHL; there needs to be a variety of styles of play and there needs to be a physical element on the blue line. Just take a look at the 2019 Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues: a blueprint of teams built with a mix of finesse and physicality on both ends of the ice. Chicago might run into a situation in which a defensive prospect would need to be dealt in order to fit and fill the range of needs within the organization. Dennis Gilbert cannot be your only physically engaged defenseman.

Byram is projected to be a game-changer. There is no doubt he was relied on as the go-to defenseman for Vancouver, regularly logging near 30 minutes per night down the postseason stretch. His future as a potential top-pairing defenseman in the NHL should not be questioned. But, for the Blackhawks, there might bigger fish to fry when it comes to addressing future organizational needs.

The next “it kid”

Bouncing off that last thought, we look into the other names circulating around the Blackhawks’ potential No. 3 overall selection and they are all forwards.

Blackhawks director of scouting Mark Kelley said they've narrowed the No. 3 pick down to six guys. No, he didn't name them. I'm told that Byram, Turcotte, Caufield and Zegras are among them, which is no surprise.

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 31, 2019

Already touching on Byram, the group beyond him includes forwards Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras and Cole Caufield. Also using deductive reasoning, one can throw in a name like centerman Dylan Cozens, as he has also been heavily rumored and speculated to be on the radar for the Blackhawks with the third overall pick.

I will not spend too much time on Turcotte, as I have already made my pitch here, if you have not read it yet.

Alex Turcotte speaks to the media at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. (Photograph courtesy of Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)

What can be said about Turcotte is that he seems to have all the makings of a player that a franchise could hinge their next decade on. Scouts have likened his game to that of current Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and Bruins star Patrice Bergeron, so, that is good company to be mentioned with.

Turcotte prides himself on his ability to excel at both ends of the ice and being a fierce competitor. If Chicago is looking to load their center depth with a player who has the potential to take the reigns over from Toews as the go-to man down the middle to play in all situations and be the top-line center, the Illinois native might be the perfect pick for Chicago.

Alex Turcotte of the U.S. National Team Development Program makes a pass during a game this season. (Photograph courtesy of Rena Laverty/USNTDP)

One of the more productive players in the U.S. National Team Development Program this season, despite missing time due to illness and injury, Turcotte will play one season at the University of Wisconsin next year alongside fellow USNTDP teammate Cole Caufield.

Sick. On Wisconsin.

Turcotte will have time to mature physically and fill out his 5-foot-11.25, 185-pound frame, along with taking a year to continue sharpening his skills and being ready to make the jump to the NHL for the 2020–21 season.

Prototype pivot

Speaking of perfect fits, the Blackhawks have an opportunity to address their lack of dynamic depth at the center position with a pick of a different player out of the WHL. Dylan Cozens has it all when it comes to a prototypical centerman in the NHL: size, skill, skating ability. Cozens played his second season in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes this year, skating in 68 games and totaling 84 points. Cozen ranked tied for ninth in the league in scoring, and his 34 goals ranked in the top 25 of the WHL.

At 6-foot-3.25 and weighing in at 185 pounds, Cozens already has the frame to be a presence down the middle in the NHL, and with a bit of time in an NHL training program, could add some pounds to solidify him as a hybrid finesse-power forward that is becoming a prized possession in the NHL.

Dylan Cozens speaks to the media at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. (Photograph courtesy of NHL.com)

While defense is the biggest glaring hole in the Blackhawks’ roster that needs addressing, the biggest hole in the organization is their forward depth, primarily at the center position. Currently looking at what is in the organization down the middle, the Blackhawks are touting Evan Barratt, Philipp Kurashev, Mikael Hakkarainen, Tim Soderlund and Jake Wise to name just a few. While Barratt has been projected to be a potential middle-six centerman, that is not enough to hang your hat on if you are the Blackhawks. Adding Dylan Strome this season turned out very well in the half season he played in Chicago and the hope is that he continues to build upon his 2018–19 campaign. Adding Cozens with the third overall pick immediately puts him at the top of the list for the Blackhawks in their forward prospects rankings, as would pretty much any of the forwards mentioned here, if they are picked with the third pick by Chicago.

Dylan Cozens skates with Team Canada. (Photograph courtesy of Codie McLachlan/CP)

Cozens has the ability to jump to the NHL next season, too. It is not absolutely necessary for the third overall pick to come into the NHL lineup right away, as Chicago is building a roster that so far this offseason looks like a one-year holdover plan with the additions of players like Dominik Kubalik and Anton Wedin. With a bottom-six forwards group chalk-full of “maybes,” Cozens could find himself with a shot to come right into the Blackhawks camp and win himself a starting role. If not, he returns to Lethbridge for another year of seasoning in the WHL and comes into the 2020–21 season with a wide-open shot at the NHL.

Not quite ‘towers of power’

When talking about “shots,” you either come up with Lil’ Jon or in the case of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, you think of Cole Caufield. All this kid does is score goals. In 99 combined game with the USNTDP in 2018–19, Caufield scored 115 goals and tied the U18 World Junior record for goals in a tournament with 14 in seven games played. He tied Alexander Ovechkin‘s 14 goals and Ovechkin played an extra game than Caufield did in the tournament. Impressive.

With a knack for the back of the net like Caufield’s, there would be no question that he should be a top target within the top five picks. For Chicago, scoring goals last season was not an issue, as they finished eighth in goals per game with a 3.26 marker. What is holding Caufield back from possibly being thought of as a lock to go in the top three picks is his size. At 5-foot-7.25 and 165 pounds, Caufield’s on-ice abilities and stature have labeled him as Alex DeBrincat 2.0. With the Blackhawks holding the third overall pick and Caufield’s prowess for scoring, would a second under-sized sniper wing fit into the Chicago lineup?

Cole Caufield speaks to the media at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. (Photograph courtesy of Hickling Images)

Caufield believes in his abilities to score from anywhere on the ice. Never seeing a shot he did not like, his comparisons to Chicago’s DeBrincat ring true. Coming into the 2017–18 season, DeBrincat got off to a slow start, but began to find his game and showed off his abilities to find space in the NHL and fire quality shots on net. His skillset only shone brighter in 2018–19, tallying 41 goals, ranking second on the team behind Patrick Kane‘s 44.

DeBrincat’s found a renewed chemistry with former Erie Otters teammate Dylan Strome when the Blackhawks added Strome midway through the season. Both of those players will hopefully duplicate and build upon their pairing last season—for the Blackhawks sake and their own—as they are both entering contract years without extensions at this point in the offseason. As it looks, Chicago has their fit for DeBrincat in their lineup.

As it would pertain to Caufield, his NHL-readiness would come around at least to the 2020–21 season, as he is slated to play at least one season at the University of Wisconsin with fellow USNTDP teammate Alex Turcotte.

Again, sick. On Wisconsin.

Cole Caufield celebrates a goal with Team USA. (Photograph courtesy of the USHL)

If Caufield improves his strength and matures physically for another year, there should be no doubts that he could hang in the NHL, given DeBrincat as the blueprint for that type of player. Again it comes down to if Chicago could succeed having two of those small-sized players in their forwards group.

Certainly Caufield believes it would be a mistake if the Blackhawks did not select him third overall.

Asked Cole Caufield what would be his elevator pitch to convince the Blackhawks to draft him.

"You'll regret it if you don't."

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 1, 2019

But again, looking at the true holes in the Blackhawks’ formula trying to get them back to the playoffs and back to truly contending for the Stanley Cup again, one looks to the blueprints set by the Blues and Bruins in this year’s Cup Final: a fine blend of skill, size, flash and physicality.

If the Blackhawks were to have both DeBrincat and Caufield in the same lineup, there would have to be a sizable change to counteract their lack of stature in the forwards group. These two are players that thrive when they are able to find space in the opposition and fire pucks on net. If they cannot find that space, it is difficult to create it on their own at their size.

What is redeeming about Cauifield, as it is with DeBrincat, is the willingness to get dirty. He plays without fear of contact and is willing to go into the corners for pucks and battle. Whether he wins the majority of those battles is another discussion, but his ability to go to those areas is a trait that scouts and coaches want to see.

Catching Zs

Finally, rounding out the major attractions for the Blackhawks with the third overall pick is USNTDP forward Trevor Zegras. Heading to Boston University next season, Zegras is heralded as possibly the best puck-moving player in the draft class. In his time with the USNTDP, Zegras is over a point-per-game player and has tallied 160 assists in 185 career games in the red, white and blue.

Trevor Zegras speaks to the media at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. (Photograph courtesy of NHL.com)

Stating that he modeled his game after Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane when he was growing up, Zegras’ on-ice game mirrors that of Chicago’s star winger. While players like Cozens and Turcotte fill the need for Chicago down the middle in the prospect pool, Zegras would be one of, if not the top wing prospect in Chicago’s system, as I see his game translating to the wing in the NHL. His playmaking ability and his skating make him an intriguing pick for the Blackhawks should they consider adding talent to their forward depth.

While not being touted as highly as Turcotte or Cozens, if the Blackhawks are sold on Zegras being their pick, they may entertain the option of trading down in the draft and selecting him later in the lottery picks. Chicago could find a trade partner that has two selections in the first round like the Buffalo Sabres with the seventh overall pick and the Blues’ first-round pick, or potentially the Colorado Avalanche with the fourth and 16th picks in the first round. If the Blackhawks are certain on Zegras and feel he will be available at a later pick, they could use that third overall selection as bait.

Trevor Zegras of the US National Team Development Program skates with the puck. (Photograph courtesy of Rena Laverty/USNTDP)

Should that be the route the Blackhawks take, they could find Zegras and another mid-to-late round prospect to either bolster the defense, like Victor Söderström, Alex Vlasic or Cam York, or get another forward to load their prospect depth for the future like Raphaël Lavoie or Ryan Suzuki.

Whatever the Blackhawks’ plan for the third overall selection is, they have their options. Moving up in the lottery was one of the greatest gifts the hockey gods could have bestowed upon the organization and now it is up to Stan Bowman and the front office to “hit” with their third overall selection. Although it is really a stretch to say that there is a so-called “wrong” move to make with the third overall pick, my two cents is that the Blackhawks use the pick and select Turcotte.

Chicago does not need to necessarily draft with 2019–20 in mind. If they want a player with the chance to plug and play in the NHL, they have options. If they believe they can be patient for one more season and let their chips fall for 2020–21, they again have their options. Suffice to say, June 21 in Vancouver cannot come around soon enough.

The post Spilling my brain: Chicago Blackhawks’ plans for No. 3 appeared first on The Rink.

If you have not checked out previous videos please take a look:

Highlight video of Victor Ejdsell
Highlight video of Dominik Kahun
Highlight video of Lucas Carlsson
Highlight video of Jacob Nilsson
Highlight video of Kevin Lankinen
Highlight video of Adam Boqvist

In the second video this spring, feature writer Jeff Osborn worked long and hard to bring you a highlight video of one of the Blackhawks’ top forward prospects, Dominik Kubalik.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Czech-born left wing had a breakout year in the the Swiss National League with HC Ambrì-Piotta (25 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games, where he was also the team’s top scorer. He continued his success in the Swiss Cup playoffs, scoring five points (four goals, one assist) in three games. He also played in the 2019 IIHF World Championships, scoring 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 10 games. On January 24, 2019, Kubalik’s rights were acquired by the Blackhawks from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

EDIT – On 5/29, The Blackhawks announced they had officially signed Kubalik to a one-year $925,000 entry level contract

Please enjoy our highlight reel, share with your friends on social media and feel free to let us know if you enjoy this kind of content.

You can find all of our video material or our exclusive YouTube channel.  Please subscribe to be notified as each of our new videos are released.

The post Chicago Blackhawks prospect spotlight: Dominik Kubalik (VIDEO) appeared first on The Rink.

Gravel, Ryczek and Mooseheads fall to Huskies in Memorial Cup Final

In a familiar finale, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies again got the better of the Halifax Mooseheads with a championship on the line. As the host city for the 2019 Memorial Cup, Halifax rode the home-ice advantage through the round-robin portion to a 2–1–0 record and a tiebreaker advantage to advance directly to the Memorial Cup Final.

After coming up on the wrong end of the tie-breaker, the Huskies had to get through the OHL champion Guelph Storm in the semifinal to get to the Memorial Cup Final. After dispatching the Storm, the Huskies advanced to face the Mooseheads in a rematch of the QMJHL Finals, where the Huskies came out on top with a 4–2 series win.

Halifax Mooseheads goaltender Alexis Gravel. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

In the Memorial Cup Final, the Mooseheads jumped out to a 2–0 lead just over five minutes into the second period after goals from Samuel Asselin in the first period and Raphael Lavoie in the second. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jake Ryczek tallied a primary assist on the game’s opening goal for his second point of the tournament. Midway through the middle frame, the Huskies broke through and tallied two goals of their own to tie the game heading into the third period at 2–2.

Halifax Mooseheads defenseman Jake Ryczek skates on to the ice. (Photograph courtesy of the Halifax Mooseheads)

In the third period, the Huskies scored two goals two minutes apart to take a 4–2 lead with just under 15 minutes to play in regulation. Rouyn-Noranda refused to take their foot off the gas with a two-goal cushion, continuing to pressure the Mooseheads and out-shooting the host city 11–9 in the third period and 25–15 between the second and third periods combined. Halifax pulled Gravel with just over three minutes to play but could not find any late-game magic.

Congrats to the @HuskiesRn who have won the #MemorialCup with a 4-2 victory over your Mooseheads. Thank you for being with us on an incredible run Moose Country. You truly are the best fans in Canada and you proved it again this week. #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/C684YGH51y

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) May 27, 2019

The Huskies triumphed for the first time since the creation of the team in 1996 in their second-ever trip to the Memorial Cup. For Halifax, they remain a one-time Memorial Cup champion (2013) in three trips to the tournament. Ryczek finished the tournament with a goal and an assist in four games played, while Gravel finished with a 2–2–0 record, a 2.78 goals against average and a .918 save percentage in the tournament.

Both remain unsigned by the Blackhawks, but have time still under their draft rights to work out contracts within the organization. At 21 years old, Ryczek is eligible to play professionally at any time, but Gravel, who just turned 19 years old in March, will play at least one more season in the QMJHL before considering to move onto the professional ranks.

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The WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders went winless in the tournament, and are out,

While Rouyn-Noranda got the win in that game ending the round robin phase, Halifax benefited from the three-way tiebreaking format and advanced to the Memorial Cup final outright. Separately, Rouyn-Noranda advanced to the semi-final against the OHL champion Guelph Storm, which will determine the Mooseheads’ tournament final game opponent.

Entwistle, Ryczek, and Gravel advance in Memorial Cup

For the three Chicago Blackhawks prospects still alive in the tournament, this weekend’s action will be the cap to some impressive seasons in the Canadian Hockey League.

Friday night’s matchup between Guelph and Rouyn Noranda and for Chicago represents a chance for Blackhawks prospect Mackenzie Entwistle to finish something he started in last year’s Memorial Cup. Entwistle lost in the semi-final last season while playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He returned this season as a two-time OHL Champion and has three points through the round-robin portion of the tournament.

Entwistle tallied a goal and an assist in the first game of the tournament, a 5-2 Guelph win over Rouyn-Noranda. He was held off the scoresheet against Halifax in the second game of the tournament and then finished the round-robin with an assist in Guelph’s win over Prince Albert. Friday night’s puck drop for the semi-final takes place at 6 p.m. Central Time at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

Guelph Storm forward Mackenzie Entwistle (left) battles for a puck at the Memorial Cup. (Photo Courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

After falling to Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL Finals, the Halifax found themselves playing host for the Memorial Cup—riding the momentum of friendly crowds to wins in their first two contests of the tournament. Behind Blackhawks goalie prospect Alexis Gravel and defense prospect Jake Ryczek, the Mooseheads took care of Prince Albert and Guelp, locking themselves into the elimination round with just the rematch of the QMJHL Final ahead of them.

Jake Ryczek (center, 16) celebrates a goal with his Halifax Moosehead teammates at the Memorial Cup. (Photo Courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

While the Mooseheads were not able to top the Huskies in their rematch, a 4-3 loss, the result still guaranteed them a tie for first-place—from which the tiebreaker moved them directly to the Final. For Ryczek, 12 shots on goal rank him in a five-way tie for third most in the tournament and his goal against the Prince Albert in the opening game of the tournament helped propel Halifax to a commanding 4-1 win. In his last go-around with the Mooseheads this season, Ryczek has a chance to win his first-ever tournament championship in his junior career.

Halifax Mooseheads goaltender Alexis Gravel being honored as First-Star of the game after topping the Guelph Storm at the Memorial Cup. (Photo Courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

One of the most impressive aspects of the Mooseheads’ run to the Memorial Cup Final has been the play in net of Alexis Gravel. He made 56 saves on the first 59 shots he faced in the tournament, winning both games and being named first star in Game Two against Guelph. Gravel finished the round-robin games with a 2-1-0 record and leads the tournament with a 2.33 GAA and a .929 save-percentage as he and Halifax head to the Memorial Cup Final on Sunday.

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Ryan Johnson – 6 feet, 161 pounds – Defenseman (54 games, six goals, 19 assists)
Johnson is the top defensive prospect in the USHL and it is not close. Johnson spent much of the season guiding the Clark Cup champion Sioux Falls Stampede in all situations. Johnson quarterbacked the power play, led the penalty kill and was thrust into all big situations. The California native is a smooth skater with an extra gear that takes him into an elite puck-moving defenseman. Johnson is active with his stick, shows excellent positioning and can bury his chances when pinching at the right time. Projected as a late first- or early second-round pick, the 17-year-old could be a steal for a team looking to give him time to develop his top-pairing skills.

Robert Mastrosimone – 5 feet 10 inches, 178 pounds – Center/left wing (54 games, 31 goals, 29 assists)
The Chicago Steel forward had a successful season with in the USHL playing on a line with overaged center Nick Abruzzese. Mastrosimone brings an excellent shot that will get better with strength. Mastrosimone is an offensive wizard that finds open spaces in the defense and buries his chances. The New York native shows good effort in all three zones and brings a toughness to his game that is bigger than his size. Projected late first- or second-round pick that showcases top-six forward skills and work ethic.

Bobby Brink – 5 feet 10 inches, 163 pounds – Right wing (43 games, 35 goals, 33 assists)
Brink showed a high-level offensive game. His skating level needs to improve but his work ethic and agility set him apart from most. The word “sniper” would describe the Minnesota native. Brink has a quick, accurate shot that jumps off his stick. Brink works hard in all three zones and has a ton of untapped potential if his skating becomes above average. Projected late first-round or early second-round that projects as a top-six forward needing some strength.

Egor Afanasyev – 6 feet 4 inches, 201 pounds – Forward (58 games, 27 goals, 35 assists)
Afanasyev plays with a high IQ and with a reckless abandoned when on the ice. The Russia native uses his good size to make plays in tight spaces and is a bull to play against along the boards and in front of the net. A true power forward type, Afanasyev also has excellent skating ability. He is a true combination of size and speed that plays out in the NHL playoffs. Projected second-round pick and a middle-six forward that can be a wrecking ball for opponents.

Vladislav Firstov – 6 feet, 183 pounds – Left wing (62 games, 26 goals, 32 assists)
The Yaroslavl, Russia, native brings a nice combination of size and scoring ability to his game. Firstov’s shot is heavy. He can beat goalies with his silky hands or bury his shot with authority. His shot can be NHL-ready early in his pro career. Firtov shows an excellent motor and plays tough in all three zones. With added strength, the forward projects as a top-six forward that could really blossom into a steal in the draft. Projected second-round pick with a ton of upside as a scoring winger that will play responsibly in his own zone.

Matias Maccelli – 5 feet 11 inches, 170 pounds – Forward (62 games, 31 goals, 41 assists)
The Finland native rose up draft boards with an excellent season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Maccelli is a smaller sized forward that displays good quickness as a 200-foot player. His willingness to use his linemates and set them up with his playmaking skills. Maccelli can be used on the power play, penalty kill and play an important role as he outworks his opponents. Projects as a second- or third-round middle-six forward that can be counted on in all situations and make plays with high skill teammates.

Isaiah Saville – 6 feet 1 inch, 194 pounds – Goaltender (34 games, 1.90 goals against average, .925 save percentage)
The right-handed goaltender had an excellent season for the Tri-City Storm. Saville combines excellent positioning and off-the-charts compete level to beat shooters. The Anchorage, Alaska, native shows excellent athleticism and can make saves with his reflexes that many his age dream about. Saville is quick on his pads and takes away angles very well. Projected second or third round pick that does not come with the size some teams covet but projects as an NHLer in his competitiveness and athleticism.

Ethan Phillips – 5 feet 9 inches, 146 pounds – Forward (50 games, 16 goals, 27 assists)
Phillips is an undersized forward that plays with speed. The forward from Nova Scotia, Canada, can make plays with the puck and stickhandle with anyone coming out of the USHL in the draft, even without losing speed. Shows an active skill set in the offensive zone, working hard to find teammates and open spots in the defense. Phillips uses his stick well on defense and plays a solid positional game in his own zone. Projected third-round pick that will need time to get stronger as a possible middle six forward.

Marcus Kallionkieli – 6 feet 1 inch, 176 pounds – Forward (58 games, 29 goals, 24 assists)
The Helsinki, Finland, native has an excellent offensive skillset. Kallionkieli works hard to find open spots in the defense and uses his smooth shot to his advantage. He displays good size and his shot should only improve with strength. For as much upside he has on the offensive side of the puck, his defensive skills are all average at best. His commitment in his own zone must increase in order to make an overall impact at the next level. Projected third- or fourth-round pick that can handle the third line for a team looking for someone that outscores his matchups.

Shane Pinto – 6 feet 2 inches, 188 pounds – Forward (56 games, 28 goals, 31 assists)
Pinto flew up draft boards with a solid season in the USHL this past season. The New York native uses his size to his advantage and will only increase with added size and strength. Pinto has good speed and can make plays at high speeds. Creative with the puck, Pinto shows a work ethic that makes him a tough player for opponents in all three zones. Projected third- or fourth-round pick that may have more upside than some of the players ranked ahead of him but needs to put it all together.

For more prospect news and an in-depth look at all the prospects for the NHL Entry Draft, check out Future Considerations here.

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One-on-one with Mackenzie Entwistle

The 2018–19 OHL season for Mackenzie Entwistle was quite eventful after being named captain of the Hamilton Bulldogs to begin the season, then being traded to the Guelph Storm in January and finishing with an OHL championship on home ice. Entwistle, along with his Hamilton teammate Jack Hanley, who also was traded to Guelph, now lead a resilient Storm team into the 2019 Memorial Cup with a chance to win the first ever Cup in team history.

Here is The-Rink’s one-on-one with Mackenzie Entwistle.

On becoming a two-time OHL champion

It’s special. For me, having won it last year with Hamilton and then going through a whirlwind time around Christmas time when I got traded, I didn’t really know what to expect. But when I came over, I had a good buddy, Jack Hanley, on the team and I got welcomed by a nice billet family and I knew right away we had a special team. We came together really quickly and it’s something I’ll never forget.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Mackenzie Entwistle (center, 10) celebrates a goal with his Guelph Storm teammates against the Ottawa 67’s. (Photograph courtesy of Luke Durda/OHL Images)

On being traded from Hamilton to Guelph

It was tough, especially when you’re in a spot for three and a half or four years, it was home. I developed friendships with the coaching staff and all my teammates and the fans, for me it was easy. But it was like switching jobs where I had to meet a whole new group of people, new fans, new coaches, but I played with (Isaac) Ratcliffe and Nick Suzuki before at the World Juniors, and obviously Jack Hanley, so I was fortunate enough to know a couple guys on the team.

Entwistle skates with the Hamilton Bulldogs earlier this season. (Photograph courtesy of Brandon Taylor via hamiltonbulldogs.com)

On Guelph’s run to the OHL championship

It was pretty crazy. For us to go down in almost all four series, I mean Kitchner wasn’t a breeze for us, it was a tough grind of a playoff. When I say the resiliency of the group was something special, I don’t really know how to put it into words. When you’re down 3–1 in a series or down 3–0 in a series to the teams that were ranked ahead of us, you know London was first and were supposed to make it to the Memorial Cup, so for us to do what we did just shows the group of guys we have in the locker room and the coaching staff how well we were prepared and how bad we wanted to win. It’s a special group and I think that is why we did it how we did.

On defeating the 67’s in four straight games, after Ottawa had won 14 straight prior to Game 3

We played them well during the year, especially in Guelph we played them really well, so we had confidence. We dropped the first two games of the series, but I think we could have won one but we played 40 minutes instead of 60 and that’s what cost us then. They’re a good team, they had three really strong lines and a good defense core and they were coached well. That’s why they were such a strong team. For us, our mentality was that you have to win your home games and then try to steal one on the road, in Ottawa, and that’s what we did. They hadn’t been through any adversity, the way we looked at it, and for us, having been in all those elimination games and adversity we went through, we knew how to respond. They didn’t respond too well and we kept taking advantage and ultimately that’s how we took the series lead and then won it.

On playing in back-to-back Memorial Cup tournaments

It’s definitely special and, as a player, that is all you can ask for. We didn’t get a chance to win it last year (with Hamilton) but now here I am again having the chance to win it again and that’s really special. For me and Hanley coming over from Hamilton, the biggest thing that we are going to help our team with is knowing we have to start on time. It’s a short tournament and every game matters, every shift matters and for us starting every playoff series slow and going down 0–2 or 0–3, you can’t do that in the Memorial Cup. We learned that last year with Hamilton; we were in a situation where we had to rely on other teams to win or lose. You have to win all your games in order to get through and that’s the mindset we have: trying to win our first game and then take it one game at a time.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Mackenzie Entwistle lifts the J. Ross Robertson Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

On playing against teams he has not played this year

That’s where our coaching staff goes into play. As a player, I like not having to go up against the same guys all the time. It’s nice to see the talent pool in the other leagues. It should be fun, but I think we’ll watch some video and our coaches have been working hard to show us as much as they can about our opponents. I have no worries that we’ll be well prepared and we’re excited to get down there.

Mackenzie Entwistle handles the puck at the Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp in 2018. (Photograph courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

On playing against fellow Chicago Blackhawks prospects Alexis Gravel and Jake Ryczek (Halifax Mooseheads)

Yeah, I got to know those guys a bit over the summer and I went out to a couple of dinners with them and got to know them. Obviously they are great hockey players, they got a good team in Halifax and it’ll be exciting to see how we match up against them and it’ll be good to see them.

The 2019 Memorial Cup begins on Friday in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The opening game is the WHL Champions Prince Albert Raiders taking on Gravel, Ryczek and host-city Halifax Mooseheads. Entwistle and the Storm begin the tournament Saturday against the QMJHL champions, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

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Mackenzie Entwistle wins back-to-back OHL Championships

The Guelph Storm were facing a team on a historical run as they went into Game 3 of the OHL Championship a week ago. Down 0–2 in the series to the Ottawa 67’s, a team that had yet to lose in the OHL Playoffs, winning 14 straight games and setting the OHL postseason record for most wins in a row to begin the OHL Playoffs. Guelph put an end to that streak with a Game 3 win, in which Blackhawks prospect Mackenzie Entwistle tallied two goals, and never looked back.

The Storm took Games 3 through 6 over Ottawa to capture their fourth J. Ross Robertson Cup in team history, capping it off with a commanding 8–3 win in Game 6 in front of their home crowd at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario. The Storm trailed in each of their last three series leading up to their OHL Championship win.

For Entwistle, the win was extra special because it marked his second OHL Championship win in as many years, having won the 2018 J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season along with his teammate Jack Hanley. Speaking after the win, Entwistle talked about winning a second OHL Championship and getting a shot to play in the Memorial Cup a second time.

“For a player to have this experience twice and now go to Halifax and have another shot at the Memorial Cup, it’s truly special,” Entwistle said in an interview with the OHL. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys and I’m excited to get down there.”

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Mackenzie Entwistle lifts the J. Ross Robertson Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Entwistle finished the OHL postseason with 21 points in 24 games, ranking fifth on the Storm in scoring. His 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) sets his OHL career-high for postseason scoring, topping his 17 points in 21 games with Hamilton last season. In the OHL Championship series, Entwistle tallied two goals and four assists and only failed to record a point in Game 4.

Guelph now moves on to the Memorial Cup in Halifax, Nova Scotia, starting on May 16. The winners of the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the host city’s team play a round robin tournament with the top point-getting team advancing to the Final with the second and third-place teams playing a semifinal before reaching the Memorial Cup Final.

The Guelph Storm rush the ice after winning the Game 6 of the OHL Championship to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Last season in the Memorial Cup hosted by the Regina Pats in Regina, Saskatchewan, Entwistle and the Hamilton Bulldogs lost to the host city Pats in the semifinal. Entwistle tallied one goal and one assist in four games at the 2018 Memorial Cup. Just one more spot in the 2019 Memorial Cup is left up for grabs with the WHL Final coming down to a Game 7 between the Vancouver Giants and Prince Albert Raiders. Already punching their tickets along with Entwistle and the Guelph Storm are the QMJHL champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and host city Halifax Mooseheads, who lost to Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL Final. Entwistle will be playing against fellow Blackhawks prospects Jake Ryczek and Alexis Gravel of the Mooseheads in the Memorial Cup.

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Entwistle scores twice, Guelph cuts Ottawa series lead to 2–1

The Ottawa 67’s have been on a mission this postseason in the OHL playoffs. Having swept their way into the OHL Final, they faced the Guelph Storm having already tied the best undefeated record in OHL playoff history at 12–0, tying the 1987–88 Windsor Spitfires. That Spitfires team, led by future Stanley Cup champion Adam Graves, is the only team to run through the OHL playoffs without a loss, but played one fewer round, having opted for a second round bye before sweeping their final two series.

Heading into Monday night, the 67’s had a 2–0 series lead over the Storm and a perfect 14–0 record in the OHL playoffs. But, the 1987–88 Spitfires can pop the champagne bottles knowing they remain the only undefeated OHL champions, as the Storm took home-ice and pounded the 67’s 7–2 to cut Ottawa’s series lead to 2–1 heading into Game 4.

A @Storm_City warning in full effect

2⃣ by @5twisty5 in the final frame bookend a second from @isaacratcliffe to secure a home side victory to get back in the series.#OHLChampionship | #OTTvsGUE pic.twitter.com/GZ1Ossw8VZ

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 7, 2019

The highlight of the night for Blackhawks fans came in the third period when prospect Mackenzie Entwistle scored two goals to pad the Storm’s lead in the final period. Entwistle showed patience on his first goal, out-waiting 67’s goaltender Cedrick Andree and going glove-side for the 5–2 goal. Later in the period, Entwistle took a drop pass in the slot from Nick Suzuki and buried it behind Andree for his second of the night.

In 21 games this postseason, Entwistle has 19 points (Seven goals, 12 assists) ranking fifth on the Storm in scoring. His 19 points sets a new OHL playoff career-high, topping his 17 points last year on the way to winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 49 career OHL playoff games, Entwistle has 38 points.

Game 4 between the 67’s and Storm is set for Wednesday, May 8. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern at Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario.

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Blackhawks sign prospects Hakkarainen, Soderlund to entry-level deals

The Chicago Blackhawks missed out on signing Russian free-agent Ilya Mikheyev on Monday morning as he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they did announce the signing of two draft prospects in Tim Soderlund and Mikael Hakkarainen.

Hakkarainen, a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft last Summer, saw his season end on Saturday, as the Chicago Steel eliminated the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL Eastern Conference Finals. In 42 USHL games with the Lumberjacks in the regular season, Hakkarainen tallied 47 points, good for forth on the team in scoring. He also added nine points in eight USHL playoff games this postseason for Muskegon.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Mikael Hakkarainen of the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.

In his USHL career with the Lumberjacks and Chicago Steel, Hakkarainen has skated in 126 games and tallied 111 points. The 6-foot center was slated to play for Providence College this year, but left at the beginning of the season to re-join Muskegon.

Chicago also signed 2017 fourth-round pick Tim Soderlund on Monday. Soderlund completed his third season in the SHL, Sweden’s top league, this season with Skellefteå AIK. After beginning the season with Frölunda HC, Soderlund returned to his long-time junior club and played a fourth-line role. In 48 SHL games this season, Soderlund totaled 14 points. In his 138 career SHL games, Soderlund has tallied 35 points.

Tim Soderlund celebrates a goal for Skelleftea of the SHL. (Photograph courtesy of Ola Westerberg)

Playing primarily in a bottom-six checking role, Soderlund has shown promise as a hard-working, under-sized wing. He impressed at the 2018 World Junior Championships with Team Sweden, tallying five points in the tournament and bringing about comparisons to fellow countryman Viktor Arvidsson.

Both entry-level deals run through the 2021–22 season and both players will most likely start next season with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League.

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Mackenzie Entwistle, Guelph advance to OHL Final

The Guelph Storm have had quite the ride on their way to winning the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as the OHL Western Conference champions. After sweeping the Kitchner Rangers in the first round, the Storm came up against the London Knights with Blackhawks defensive prospect Adam Boqvist. It looked as if the Knights were on their way to a second series sweep after taking a 3–0 series lead over the Storm. But after allowing the Knights to score seven goals in both Game 2 and Game 3, the Guelph defense held the high-powered Knights in check and came back to win four straight and advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Saginaw Spirit.

In the Western Conference Finals against Saginaw, the Storm again fell behind in the series, dropping to a 3–1 series deficit and again facing elimination. Again, the Storm’s defense came up big with their back against the wall, holding the Spirit to just three goals over the final three games of the series, and finishing another series comeback win. Guelph captured their third Wayne Gretzky Trophy in team history and advances to their sixth J. Ross Robertson Cup Final in team history. Guelph has won three OHL championships in 1998, 2004 and 2014.

Western Conference Champs #IamtheSTORM pic.twitter.com/wV0cwqxNcs

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) April 30, 2019

Entwistle has been one of the major factors for Guelph on their road to the OHL Final. Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes as a part of the Marian Hossa trade, Entwistle ranks fifth on the Storm in postseason scoring with 15 points in 18 games so far. Last season in the OHL playoffs with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Entwistle tallied 17 points in 21 games as the Bulldogs won the OHL championship.

The OHL Final begins on May 2 in Ottawa as the 67’s host the Storm.

Alexis Gravel, Jake Ryczek set for QMJHL Final with Halifax

Also making a memorable run to their Canadian league final are the Halifax Mooseheads, who are hosting the Memorial Cup this year. Led by Gravel in net, the Mooseheads topped the Quebec Remparts in seven games in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs and in doing so also knocked out fellow Blackhawks forward prospect Philipp Kurashev. Following the seven-game opening round matchup, the Mooseheads made quick work of the Moncton Wildcats, sweeping the second round and moving on to face another Blackhawks prospect in Nicolas Beaudin and the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Jake Ryczek skates with the Halifax Mooseheads. (Photograph courtesy of Katie Whitty Photography)

In the QMJHL Semifinals, the Mooseheads dropped Game 1, but were able to string together three wins in a row to take a commanding 3–1 series lead heading into Game 5. Drummondville didn’t go quietly, taking a 6–2 win in Game Five to push the series to a Game 6, which would need overtime. Making 33 saves in the deciding game, Gravel was able to hold off the Voltigeur attack long enough to allow Xavier Parent to find the series-clinching goal early in the extra frame. Halifax moves on to their fourth President Trophy Final in team history to face the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, having won the QMJHL championship once in 2013.

President Cup Final here we come! pic.twitter.com/bwsy7ONOP0

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) April 28, 2019

Two Chicago Blackhawks prospects reside on the Halifax roster, as Gravel has led the team in net and Ryczek has been a standout defensively. Yet to find the back of the net in the postseason, Ryczek ranks seventh on the Mooseheads in playoff scoring, and leads all defensemen with 11 points in 17 games played. In net for the Mooseheads, Gravel has been stellar on his way to multiple three-stars of the game awards and was named the QMJHL Player of the Week during the back half of the Semifinal series against Drummondville. In the postseason, Gravel holds a 12–4–0 record with a 2.52 goals against average and a .921 save percentage in 17 appearances.

Alexis Gravel has backstopped the Halifax Mooseheads en route to a spot in the QMJHL’s final playoff round.

While Ryczek’s standing with the Blackhawks organization is a gray area, given the depth of the prospect pool at the defensive position, Gravel has staked his flag firmly in the ground to be in the mix as a future netminder for the Blackhawks. Given the general unknown outlook of the goaltender position for Chicago beyond Corey Crawford, Gravel looks to be developing into a promising option.

The QMJHL Final begins on May 2 in Rouyn-Noranda as the Huskies hosts the Mooseheads.

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Vegas is interested but Ilya Mikheyev has other NHL offers too. Speedy versatile RW with a heavy wrist-shot who loves to dangle and is good on a PK https://t.co/ctcpjj1mHO

— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) April 21, 2019

This comes with the (sometimes not obvious enough) disclaimer that half of the other NHL teams are “interested” as well.

Mikheyev is a 6-foot-2, 194-pound left-handed shooting, playmaking wing with nice hands to boot. He just wrapped up his KHL season with Avangard, scoring 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) in 62 games during the regular season and 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 13 playoff contests. Mikheyev played with former Blackhawks players Kris Versteeg, Cody Franson, Ville Pokka and Viktor Stalberg on Avangard.

According to one scouting report at Dobber Prospects:

Skilled winger with middle-six upside. Capable of both making plays and finishing them. Good skater, good hockey sense, good size. Capable penalty-killer as well.

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In an announcement from the Denver Pioneers website today, Blackhawks prospect Ian Mitchell has decided to return to college to play his junior year. It was thought by many that Mitchell would turn pro after his sophomore year, but he believes Denver is the best place for him right now to develop. The Pioneers have reached the NCAA tournament in both of Mitchell’s seasons with Denver and made it to the Frozen Four this season. Here is what Mitchell had to say about his decision:

“In the past few days since our season ended, I have had the chance to reflect on the year and the season our team had,” Mitchell said. “It became clear to me during that time that I did not feel ready mentally or physically to leave Denver. I believe this is the best place for me to become a better hockey player and as a team we have an opportunity to do something very special next year. I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks organization for being so supportive and respectful of my decision to remain in school and continue my development. I am looking forward to next season.”

Ian Mitchell is BACK! #PioneerTogether https://t.co/ItMXuGMNe7

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) April 17, 2019

There were probably a lot of factors that went into Mitchell’s decision, including the number of young Blackhawks defenseman that will be fighting for ice time in Rockford for the IceHogs. Former Pioneer Blake Hillman is there now along with Notre Dame’s Dennis Gilbert and others. It is also possible that first round picks Adam Boqvist and Nicholas Beaudin could join as well. The AHL is a physical league that may not be the best right now for Mitchell’s development being a smaller player. Although the case is made often that playing more games prepares young players for the NHL, getting quality minutes in a storied NCAA program is good for development as well.

For folks that are worried that Mitchell could become the next Jimmy Vesey, do not be alarmed. Mitchell is a top prospect who loves the Blackhawks organization and their plans for his development. General Manager Stan Bowman is most likely understanding of where his players are in terms of development, but he and the fans have to be patient with the process. There are several Blackhawks defenseman in the system who could help at the pro level soon, but it is rare that players in their young twenties make a difference.

The Denver Pioneers will compete again next year for the NCAA Championship and Mitchell will be a big part of that campaign. He will be a captain again and will have more young players looking to him for guidance. It will be a big season in the NCHC that hosts some of the best teams in college hockey and it is possible that Mitchell will be one of the conference’s best players.

The post Blackhawks’ Ian Mitchell decides to return to Denver for junior season appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers will both complete their training camps in Europe and will each play in an exhibition match as part of the 2019 NHL Global Series Challenge, and will play their 2019-20 season-opening game in Prague of the Czech Republic on Friday, Oct. 4 at the O2 Arena.

Prior to the season opener, the Blackhawks will travel to Berlin, Germany and play a preseason exhibition game against Eisbären Berlin on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.  Details for attending the games are as follows:

• Tickets to all games will be available for purchase on Wednesday, March 27 at 9 am CET.  Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
• Tickets and VIP hospitality packages to the Sept. 29 game between the Blackhawks and Eisbären Berlin at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany, will go on sale at 9 am CET on Wednesday, March 27 at www.eisbaeren.de/NHL.
• Tickets and VIP hospitality packages to the Oct. 4 game between the Blackhawks and Flyers and at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic will go on sale at 9 am CET on Wednesday, March 27 at www.livenation.cz.

Stay up-to-date on all things #NHLGlobalSeries right here:

https://t.co/FAnO7aW1KN pic.twitter.com/juRv40p5mD

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 21, 2019

The post Blackhawks Release 2019-20 Season Opening European Trip Details appeared first on The Rink.

Blackhawks fans can’t help looking toward the future.  As much as it would be nice to make the playoffs, most of us know what a playoff roster looks like and it’s debatable whether the Hawks have that right now or not.  But as we’ve been saying all season, help should be on the way.  There are a handful of Blackhawks prospects that are participating in their conference tournaments right now for a chance to earn a NCAA tournament berth.

Last year was a unique Frozen Four with three Big Ten teams in Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.  But this year there are a lot of good teams heading into the tournament that aren’t just from the Big Ten.  With traditional powerhouses like North Dakota and Boston University having down seasons, there may be some new faces this year in Buffalo.

Let’s take a look at where the Blackhawks prospects are.

Photo courtesy of PennLive.com

Evan Barratt – Penn State University

Barratt has had an outstanding sophomore season with the high flying Nittany Lions of Penn State.  He more that doubled his point total from his freshman year scoring 16 goals and 27 assists this season.  Penn State won their first two series of the Big Ten Tournament by defeating Wisconsin in the first round and shocking #1 seed Ohio State.  Penn State will face Notre Dame in the conference final this Saturday.  Should Penn State lose, they will be on the cusp of the Frozen Four Tournament bubble team as they’re current #16 in the pairwise rankings.

Photo courtesy of cornellsun.com

Beau Starrett – Cornell University

The ECAC was a very competitive conference this season and Cornell finished tied for first with Quinnipiac.  Beau Starrett chipped in seven goals and six assists in the regular season, and now can help the Big Red reach the conference finals if they can defeat Brown University this Saturday in the semifinals.  The Big Red ended Union’s season last week, the team Blackhawks prospect Parker Foo plays forward for.  If Cornell advances to the championship, they will play the winner of the Harvard vs Clarkson game this Friday.

Photo courtesy of goterriers.com

Chad Krys – Boston University

What a wild ride it’s been for the Boston University Terriers this season.  After going 16-17-4, the BU has found some life at the end of the year.  Winners of four of their last six games, Boston went into UMass-Lowell and won their first round matchup of the Hockey East Tournament.  Chad Krys scored four points in the series and has proven to be one of BU’s leaders on the ice and in the locker room.  The Terriers will play Northeastern University for the chance to play for the final against either UMass or Boston College.  This is probably the best chance BU has at getting into the NCAA Tournament.

Photo courtesy of 929theticket.com

Ryan Shea – Northeastern University

#3 seed Northeastern has had a great year in Hockey East tying for second in the conference with 36 points.  Their offense did well, but their defense and goaltending gave up a conference low 73 goals all season.  A quiet reason why is Blackhawks prospect Ryan Shea who finished the regular season with 15 points and was a +21.  As the #8 team in the nation, it looks like Northeastern will dance in the NCAA tournament even if they don’t win Hockey East.

Photo courtesy of dobberprospects.com

Ian Mitchell – Denver University

After eliminating the University of North Dakota last weekend, Denver enters the Frozen Face-off in St. Paul with a chance to defend their title from last year.  Ian Mitchell has been a big leader for the Pioneers this season, a young team that has shown they are capable of beating any team in the NCHC.  With 23 points on the season, Mitchell’s game has grown to a new level being more aggressive and owning more responsibility on the ice.  Despite only being a sophomore, Mitchell will be showing a lot of younger players how to manage playoff hockey in one of the hardest conferences in the NCAA.

The post Chicago Blackhawks NCAA Prospects Update: Post-Season Edition appeared first on The Rink.

Johnson missed most of the 2015-16 season and all of 2016-17 with a serious shoulder injury, but has battled back to returned to form. Last season, in 72 games, he put up 39 points (23G, 16A) and has already put up 45 points (22G, 23A) in 62 games this season. He is second in scoring on the Red Dear team behind Blackhawks prospect Brandon Hagel, who was also signed as a free agent October 30th.

Of his 22 assists this season, 18 of them are primary assists, which would suggest he has good play making ability at the pivot position.  It remains to be seen whether the Blackhawks intend on using him at center or on the right wing.

Johnson signed a 3-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season and will stay in Red Deer with the Rebels for the remainder of the season but, as Mario / Aaron / Ron mentioned yesterday, he could potentially find his way to Rockford once his Western Hockey League season commences.

The post Who is New Blackhawks Prospect Reese Johnson? appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs Getting Healthy

As the IceHogs prepare to go into their final 17 games of the season, 16 of them will be against Central Division foes. With just four points separating fourth-place from eighth-place in the Central, every point and every player counts. Rockford faced the same kind of pressure last season, moving from sixth-place into fourth-place and sealing a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs in the second-half of the season. A big part of that late-season surge was forward Matthew Highmore.

Highmore has been out of action since mid-November with a shoulder injury and surgery, but has returned to the ice in the last few weeks. IceHogs head coach Derek King mentioned earlier this month that Highmore was progressing on schedule and if all goes to plan, should be available to return to the lineup by the end of March. Highmore had seven points through eight games to begin the season. Last year he ranked second in scoring with 43 points and set the IceHogs AHL franchise rookie goal-scoring record with  24 goals last season.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Another IceHogs staple from the 2017-18 season that is set to return to health this weekend is forward Tyler Sikura. While his production has not been on the same level it was during the 2017-18 season, Sikura still provides a bit of veteran experience and a net-front presence that the IceHogs could use. This season, Sikura has 14 points in 33 games, but has missed the last two months with an upper-body injury. Rockford head coach Derek King will have Sikura back in the lineup as the IceHogs travel to Manitoba for back-to-back weekend games against the Moose.

Tyler Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The returns of both Sikura and Highmore should provide the IceHogs with some offensive pop. Rockford ranks at the bottom of the league in goals-scoring, but has seen a recent increase with the production of Henri Jokiharju, Peter Holland and Jordan Schroeder coming through in the last handful of games.

The good thing about the AHL season this time of year is that not only will teams be able to rely on their own players to try to pull them through the final stretch of the season, they also can field a number of fresh faces as the NCAA and Junior Hockey seasons come to a close in the middle/back-end of March.

College Boys Making The Jump

While the IceHogs are benefiting from players returning to health from their own roster, it doesn’t rule out players ready to make the jump from the NCAA ranks to the Pro game. Players in recent years like Anthony Louis and Luc Snuggerud have made the transition after their final year of College Hockey and have made impacts right away. For more on NCAA players who could make the jump this Spring, I turn it over to The-Rink NCAA Lead Writer, Aaron Goldschmidt.

Fredrik Olofsson (Omaha-Nebraska: 32 GP, 10 G, 21 A)

Of all the players that could be ready for professional hockey this spring, Fredrik Olofsson probably fits the bill the most. After four years of college hockey at Omaha in the NCHC, one of the NCAA’s toughest conferences, the Blackhawks 2014 4th round selection has evolved his game in several different ways.

Blackhawks forward prospect Fredrik Olofsson of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. (Courtesy: Omaha Athletics)

After scoring 27 goals in the USHL with the Chicago Steel in 2015, Olofsson made his way to college hockey and would eventually change his position from wing to center. He’s always been a play-making forward, but he’s really rounded out his game during his time at Omaha. Having his best season of his college career, Olofsson has 31 points in 30 games (10G, 21A) this season. He’s been a big threat on Omaha’s powerplay and has also shown improvement in his puck control and physicality. Olofsson has always seen the ice well and had great patience with the puck which makes him a great candidate to sign pro after this season.

Ryan Shea (Northeastern: 33 GP, 3 G, 10 A, +17)

Ryan Shea, the Blackhawks 2015 4th round pick, is having a solid junior season with the Northeastern Huskies. Following his sophomore year where he racked up 17 points playing with top forwards Dylan Sikura, Adam Gaudette, and Nolan Stevens, it was unsure whether Shea would have the same offensive output with those players signing pro but Shea has remained consistent. With three goals and nine assists in 31 games this season, Shea is on pace to to as good as he was last year, including having a plus/minus over +15.

Blackhawks defensive prospect Ryan Shea of Northeastern Univeristy. (Courtesy: Northeastern Athletics)

Reporting on the Blackhawks prospects last year, I spoke with a Huskies blog often about Dylan Sikura who was the talk of the NCAA at the time. The writer for that blog would always ask me to keep my eye on Ryan Shea, especially at Blackhawks prospect camp. Although I believe Shea will return for his senior season, he could have a chance to contribute one day for the Blackhawks who have few “defensive-defenseman” in their system.

Beau Starrett (Cornell: 29 GP, 6 G, 5 A)

Beau Starrett is a player that the Blackhawks really could use, but he’s yet to light it up in college. Playing in his 4th year at Cornell, Starrett has never scored more than 14 points in a season despite looking relatively good in prospect camps. He has a large frame and can skate pretty well for a big man, but there isn’t one thing he does particularly well.

Blackhawks forward prospect Beau Starrett of Cornell University. (Courtesy: Thomas Labarbera)

A comparison may be someone like Graham Knott, although Knott was thought to have a much higher ceiling. The Blackhawks may give Starrett a shot at a pro deal since he was a third round pick, but it’s difficult to tell how effective he could be right away.

Liam Coughlin (Vermont: 29 GP, 6 G, 11 A)

Liam Coughlin could be a wildcard for the Blackhawks. The 2014 5th round pick has shown glimpses of serious talent, but he’s a streaky scorer. There is a lot of compete to Coughlin although it doesn’t show in his numbers. Many forwards have issues adjusting to pro hockey since many junior or college guys play top six situations for their teams, then have to step into 3rd or 4th line roles in the pros.

Blackhawks forward prospect Liam Coughlin of the University of Vermont. (Courtesy: Vermont Athletics)

I think this may be an advantage for Coughlin, taking some pressure off and letting him have some fun grinding. Coughlin can skate and also isn’t small at 6’3 200 lbs. I’d roll the dice on him to add some depth at the forward position.

Jack Ramsey (Minnesota: 35 GP, 3 G, 1 A)

Jack Ramsey is a senior at Minnesota and could give the Blackhawks something to think about at the end of this season. He won’t wow you with his points, but this is a heart-and-soul type player. Ramsey brings leadership, effort, and grit to the table, something the Hawks will never have enough of. Ramsey reminds me a lot of Andrew Desjardins. He won’t go nuts on the score-sheet, but he’s a smart hockey player that puts you in good position to score.

Blackhawks forward prospect Jack Ramsey of the University of Minnesota. (Courtesy: Minnesota Athletics)

There aren’t enough chip and chase players in the Hawks system who are willing to win pucks in corners and battle below the goal line. Ramsey can be a nice add especially in Colliton’s system.

Chad Krys (Boston: 25 GP, 7 G, 9 A, -8)

The Blackhawks 2016 2nd round pick Chad Krys has had a down year for his standards in his junior season at Boston University. He’s missed some time due to injury and hasn’t returned to his pace from last season where he scored 27 points in 36 games. Krys does a great job leading the breakout for BU and has the offensive ability to take over a game. He can be lethal on the powerplay and often finds scoring lanes from the left point. Although it will be a gamble for him, I think Krys returns to BU for his senior season.

Blackhawks defensive prospect Chad Krys of Boston University. (Courtesy: Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

There is no rush for him to get to the pros and he will get more opportunities next season to get his stock back up. People often talk about Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, and Nicolas Beaudin, but Krys should be in that same conversation. His skill set rivals his fellow prospects and maybe one more season to mature his game could be what’s needed.

Juniors On Their Way Up?

It could end up being a packed house for the IceHogs if any of the NCAA prospects make the jump, but in the Junior ranks, the Blackhawks organization has a number of players who are at the age where a jump to the Pro game is the next step. For a look at those players in the North American Junior ranks, I’ll turn it over to The-Rink Juniors Feature Writer, Ron Luce.

Courtesy of NHL.com / Chicago Blackhawks

Brandon Hagel (Red Deer, WHL: 61 GP, 38 G, 54 A)

Brandon Hagel was signed in October by the Blackhawks. He was originally a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2016.

Hagel brings a big frame (6’1”) and scoring touch to the IceHogs assuming he joins the club for a playoff push. The big winger can certainly bring some scoring touch to the offense-lacking IceHogs. As of March 7th, Hagel is tied for fifth in WHL scoring, with 92 points (38 G, 54 A) in only 61 games.

Assuming Hagel can carryover some of his offensive success in the WHL to the AHL, Hagel could be a welcomed addition. With Matthew Highmore being injured nearly the whole season, the IceHogs have lacked a game breaker at forward. Hagel certainly has provided hope as being that type of player.

Hagel has been very successful on a Red Deer team that will likely miss the playoffs. He would arguably be the biggest addition to the IceHogs as they look to have another playoff run similar to last season.

Mikael Hakkarainen (Muskegon, USHL: 35 GP, 17 G, 28 A)

Mikael Hakkarainen has had quite a unique season for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It began with Hakkarainen leaving Providence College where he was set to play at the NCAA level, to return to the USHL club he played for last season. In his return, Hakkarainen has been nothing short of spectacular, as he sits fourth on the Lumberjacks in scoring, despite playing almost 15 fewer games than his teammates.

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Mikael Hakkarainen. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Haakarainen, despite missing as much time as he did, is also still in the top-20 in USHL league scoring with 45 points (17 G, 28 A). The 6’0” 193lb center can add great skill for the IceHogs down the stretch. Since Haakarainen left Providence, he is able to go to the pros, which is the logical next step in his development if the Blackhawks are committed to him long-term. It makes a lot of sense for Haakarainen to join the IceHogs and gauge where he is in his development playing against men. The young Finn has made easy work of the teenage USHL competition he’s faced.

Haakarainen would provide play-making ability to the IceHogs. He has good size and can make plays in tight areas. He has been in numerous USHL highlight videos this year with his perfect passes and big goals for the Lumberjacks. Like Hagel, Hakkarainen is likely to join the IceHogs given his history and ability to play pro.

Josiah Slavin (Chicago, USHL: 45 GP, 17 G, 20 A)

Younger brother of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, Josiah Slavin has had a very strong season in the USHL. The Colorado College commit started the season with the Lincoln Stars, tallying 27 points in 32 games (10 G, 17 A). As the Stars began selling players off, the Chicago Steel acquired the Blackhawks prospect and he has 10 points in 13 games since being acquired by Chicago (3 G, 7 A).

Photo by: Jeff Osborn/The-Rink

With Slavin’s impending commitment to Colorado College and the NCAA, it’s uncertain if he will join the IceHogs. If he is allowed to join the IceHogs on an amateur tryout contract (ATO), he could possibly provide some nice depth for the IceHogs. He isn’t as prolific a scorer as Hagel or Hakkarainen, but he still brings a lot of skill to his team. Slavin’s size is comparable to that of Hakkarainen, so he has solid size to compete at the AHL level.

However, I believe it is safe to assume that Slavin will not join the IceHogs and prepare for his fall season at Colorado College, where Aaron Goldschmidt will happily cover the Colorado native.

Philipp Kurashev (Quebec, QMJHL: 55 GP, 27 G, 34 A)

Philipp Kurashev really jumped onto the prospect scene when he had an incredible World Juniors tournament for Team Switzerland. The 20-year old center has been sensational this season, pacing the Remparts in team scoring. Early in the season, Kurashev was a top scorer in the QMJHL. However, Kurashev has fallen off a bit of late, but nonetheless is still having a great year.

Quebec Remparts forward Philipp Kurashev. Courtesy: Quebec Remparts)

Kurashev paces the Remparts in scoring with 61 points in 55 games (27 G, 34 A). The next closest scorer on the team has played eight more games and has 15 fewer points than Kurashev. It’s no surprise the team hasn’t had as good of a season as they may have hoped, since Kurashev is the only player with more than 20 goals on the roster.

The Remparts could always make a run in the QMJHL tournament and prevent Kurashev from joining the IceHogs. Given his age, Kurashev will likely play with Rockford next season, so it would be intriguing to see what he can do in the AHL. He hasn’t dominated the juniors like Hagel has, so it’s uncertain if the over-ager will produce at the pro level. If the young Swiss forward performs like he did in the World Juniors tournament, he could become a nice top-9 forward in the NHL down the road.

Two players that are not described above are Jake Ryczek and Reese Johnson. Ryczek is a former seventh round pick, and has been in the QMJHL since being drafted. He is currently playing on the third defensive pairing for the Halifax Mooseheads. One would hope a player like him, if going to make an impact, would make more of an impact for his junior team when he is 21 years old.

Reese Johnson is certainly a candidate to join the IceHogs late in the year with WHL teammate Brandon Hagel. Since Johnson is a new signing, we did not include a report on his prospects of joining the IceHogs, although it is likely given his age and situation. Johnson is the Captain in Red Deer and has second in scoring with 45 points in 62 games this season.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Saturday and Sunday as they take on the Manitoba Moose in a weekend double-header in Manitoba. After a week off, the IceHogs take on the Moose in back-to-back weekend games in Manitoba on March 9 and 10. Saturday’s puck drop is set for 6pm CT, while Sunday’s puck drop is set for 2pm CT at Bell MTS Place. Rockford holds a 1-0-1 record against the Moose this season.

The post IceHogs Late-Season Reinforcements On Their Way? appeared first on The Rink.

Today we saw the LA Kings deal defenseman Jake Muzzin to Toronto and get a nice return including a 2019 1st round pick.  The Kings are in a similar situation where they have a core of aging vets locked into long term deals, yet they are at the bottom on their division.  But the Kings are making the best of it by selling off valuable assets for future picks.

.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have acquired defenceman Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/3DYt3w0dc1

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 29, 2019

But in the minds of John McDonough and Stan Bowman, they still believe winning can be achieved.  Even with both executives deeming the last few seasons as unacceptable, the turmoil continues to trend south.

So what’s the answer?  Time will surely tell, but for now the Blackhawks need to do what most good teams do.  That is building through the draft.  The Hawks have several high-end prospects that will make their way to the NHL soon, but star-power doesn’t get you everything in today’s NHL.  You need depth scoring and surprise surprise; toughness.  NHL teams did a great job of transforming the game into a mostly skill game, but teams with predators like Tom Wilson are proving to have an edge over less-physical teams.

I wanted to point out a couple of players that are in the Blackhawks NCAA prospect system that could add some edge to the bottom six that would be low cost and high reward.  Let’s take a look.

Jack Ramsey – Forward – University of Minnesota

I’ve always thought that to make it in the NHL, you need to do at least one thing right.  The higher paid guys do several things right, but you can survive with a singular talent.  You can win face-offs, block shots, hit, or simply just be smart and responsible with the puck.  The point is that guys can make a career by knowing their role and doing their job.

Jack Ramsey isn’t a points guy, although he’s looked pretty good offensively against other Blackhawks prospects in camp.  Ramsey has great size and speed, and most importantly he knows his role.  He’s not going to dazzle you with stick-handling but he’s going to live in the corners and create space for other players.  He can hunt the puck and force costly turnovers.

The Blackhawks bottom six is full of a bunch of “guys” right now who don’t really know what they want to do well.  Ramsey would bring a physical edge and a lot of heart to the Hawks.

Fredrik Olofsson – Forward – University of Nebraska-Omaha

I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Freddy and watching him play a handful of times and it’s been a treat watching his game mature.  Olofsson is in his senior year playing for the Mavericks and is one of the most experienced Blackhawks prospects in the system.  His transition from wing to center has really taken form this season.  Olofsson is having a career season with eight goals and 17 assists in 24 games.

One thing that I’ve noticed is Olofsson’s will that has changed.  He’s always been a player that can score.  His can pick corners well, his passing anticipation is strong, and his skating has always been good.  But this season, it’s noticeable that he’s out-willing other players for the puck.  He’s always been responsible in his own end, but now Omaha runs their top lines through him.

Another vast improvement has been his face-offs.  Olofsson can win a draw cleanly, but he’s even better at tying a guy up and winning the puck back.  These little moves and tricks that he’s picked up give him the advantage over younger players and make him invaluable to the Mavericks.

It will be interesting to see if the Hawks work out a deal with Olofsson after his NCAA season is over.  The Hawks are desperate for center depth so it’s possible he gets a look.

Evan Barratt – Forward – Penn State

I’m not sure how this all happened so fast for Evan Barratt, but it did and all at the same time.  From his lacrosse-style goal, to making the world junior USA team, back to helping lead his Penn State hockey club, Evan Barratt grew up pretty fast.  With 15 goals and 20 assists, there will be some serious pressure for Barratt to come out of college just after his sophomore season.  But what better time than now?

The Blackhawks are starving for a heart-and-soul player like Barratt to come through the system.  He plays with a lot of edge, running around pissing people off like Andrew Shaw used to do at the United Center.  Yet, Barratt can really score.  He players in a very fast system at Penn State so he may be a fit for a top-nine role with the Hawks.  It just depends how much seasoning the Hawks brass thinks Barratt needs.  If he does sign at the end of this year, it will be a big boost to their forward depth.

Can the Hawks turn things around?

We’ve been asking ourselves this question all year.  Can the Blackhawks find some combination where they can compete with the top teams in the league?  Corey Crawford’s health is the biggest issue and we all have to assume at this point that he can’t play at a high level right now.  We also have to face the reality that our defense got old overnight.  And with every year that passes, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane prove the law of diminishing returns.

We all want this movie to never end, but it just needs to be rewritten.  That process starts with getting young guys ice time.  Collin Delia looks to be something in goal.  There are tons of defenseman in the system.  Now, it’s time for some young forwards to get a look.

The post Blackhawks Need to Develop Impact Players From Within appeared first on The Rink.

Kubalík is a 23-year-old former 7th round Kings draft pick (191st overall) in the 2013 NHL draft. The same draft that the Blackhawks drafted Anthony Louis ten picks earlier (181st overall) and Robin Press later in the seventh round (211th overall).

The 6’2″ 180 lbs left wing has been playing for HC Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss National League. Coming into Thursday evening, he is leading the league in scoring with 43 points (18G-25A). The native of Plzen, Czech Republic, represented his country at the 2018 Olympic Games and World Championships as well as the 2015 World Junior Championship.

He is currently under contract with his Swiss team and cannot sign a contract with the Blackhawks until his deal with HC Ambrì-Piotta has expired. The Kings tried to pry Kubalík out of Europe in 2017 but, without player compensation, Ambrì-Piotta blocked the deal from happening.

Kubalik 2017-18 Season Highlights from HC-Ambri Piotta https://t.co/tb35J5ri2z#Blackhawks #NHL

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 24, 2019

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks Make Trade With Kings appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks’ prospect pipeline is sprinkled with some serious talent on the blue line and they have the opportunity to draft high again this year.  The problem is if the Hawks have the right GM to successfully rebuild the team.  Hitting on draft picks and development is the only way to sustain winning in today’s NHL and it’s debatable whether Bowman is the right person for the job.  But with interest waning and ticket prices still sky high, the Blackhawks need some sort of splash to keep them relevant.

Last weekend, we saw a couple players stand out and contribute to their teams who aren’t usually on the scoresheet.  We also saw Ian Mitchell return from the World Juniors and not miss a beat.  As we enter the second half of the NCAA season, competition is starting to ramp up.  Let’s get into what happened last weekend.

Parker Foo – Forward – Union

Parker Foo sure picked a great weekend to shine for the Union Dutchmen.  Union took on top-ranked St. Cloud State Friday night and upset the Huskies 7-2 in Pittsburgh in the Three Rivers Classic.  Foo scored his fourth goal of the season after he beat the defenseman to the outside and drove the net.  Foo also added two assists to his total on Saturday in the Dutchmen’s loss to Brown 6-3.  Foo now has four goals and four assists in his sophomore season at Union in 16 games.

(1/2) Let's recap those Dutchman goals during the second period shall we? Here's a look at Foo's goal that he scored driving to the net! pic.twitter.com/ir3L2pgEEl

— Union College Men's Hockey (@Unionmhockey) January 4, 2019

Jack Ramsey – Forward – Minnesota

The Gophers had a tough test this weekend when they welcomed the Penn State Nittany Lions to Minneapolis.  Penn State is known for putting up a huge amount of shots per game and can score over five goals with ease.  But the Gophers fought hard and earned a split.  Blackhawks prospect Jack Ramsey scored a couple nice goals earning him his first two points of the season.

Ramsey’s first goal was a beautiful curl-and-drag snipe that will most likely be one of the plays of the week.  And with his second, Ramsey fights hard in front of the net and somehow maneuvers the puck around the goaltender for the score.

Toe drag swag. pic.twitter.com/Uk2QAeKlmo

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) January 5, 2019

Jack Ramsey is having a really, really good weekend. pic.twitter.com/EeebX8ID9F

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) January 6, 2019

Jack Ramsey's first goal of the year gave the #Gophers a late spark last night…five of the the senior assistant captain's 21 career points have now come against Penn State. #PrideOnIce

Hear from Ramsey after last night's game at 3MAM. pic.twitter.com/51eoSx1MbJ

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) January 5, 2019

Ian Mitchell – Defenseman  – Denver

After a bittersweet exit from the World Juniors Championship, Mitchell didn’t sulk for long.  The Denver Pioneers defenseman caught up with his teammates for their first series of 2019 against Wisconsin and he contributed in a big way.  Mitchell had three assists in the weekend series where the Pioneers swept the Badgers on the road.  I’m not sure when the Blackhawks are going to see Ian Mitchell, but when they do he’s really going to turn heads.  He has the talent to snipe a goal or circle the wagons until he finds a man open for the easy score.  He has the complete game.

Ian Mitchell (@DU_Hockey) scores his first of the tournament to put up by one early in the second! #CANvsFIN #REPRESENT #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/IDXLJQFlAs

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2019

GREAT to have you back, Mitchy  #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/gZoPnAFNIq

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 5, 2019

Evan Barratt – Forward – Team USA

Meanwhile in the gold medal game of the World Junior Championship, Evan Barratt and Team USA fell to Henri Jokiharju and Finland.  Barratt had a strong start to the tournament, but cooled off eventually.  In a bizarre year where Canada and Sweden were knocked out early, USA had the opportunity to come away with gold, but fell just short.

#Blackhawks prospect Evan Barratt (#17) accepts his Silver Medal#USAWJC #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/MLCjs0qfB3

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 6, 2019

The post Blackhawks NCAA Campus Report: Jan 4-6 appeared first on The Rink.

The-Rink.com co-hosts Jeff “Gatekeeper” Osborn, John Jaeckel and The Rink Feature NCAA Writer Aaron Goldschmidt get together to talk about the latest developments in Blackhawks land heading into the holidays.

• Corey Crawford is out with another serious concussion
• Marcus Kruger joins him as the walking wounded increase
• Collin Delia, Dylan Sikura, Carl Dahlstrom and Luke Johnson all get recalled
• The Gustafsson delusions
• Addressing the Panarin nonsense again.
• We answered some great listener and reader questions

As a special holiday gift, we close out with “On My Side” from The-Rink friend and huge Blackhawks fan Patrick Judge with his bandmates in Demon Hunter.

Please subscribe, rate this episode, and even write us a review. Reviews will be read on the air.

Also, Please help spread the word to more #RinkRats and visit our sponsor www.PUCKHCKY.com. Use the discount code “THERINK” for 10% off all orders.

The post The Blackhawks Rinkcast – Episode 39 – Injuries Aplenty appeared first on The Rink.

Team Canada’s camp opened with three Blackhawks prospects. Hamilton forward Mackenzie Entwistle, Drummondville defenseman Nicolas Beaudin and college defenseman Ian Mitchell all were selected to the original camp roster. Entwistle and Mitchell have both made Team Canada, but Beaudin was sent home during cuts.

Beaudin made quite the case of himself going into Team Canada’s camp, considering he has been incredible for Drummondville to this point. He has 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 21 games for the Voltigeurs. Nonetheless, Beaudin will have some time off until the QMJHL resumes play on Friday, December 28th.

As for Entwistle, it’s safe to say the knee injury to London Knights forward Alex Formenton surely helped him make the team. However, Entwistle brings a versatile, big bodied forward to Team Canada to aid in their quest for World Junior gold. He has 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 29 games for Hamilton. The young forward also brings on ice leadership as captain of his OHL club.

Other key prospects who will likely be representing their countries at the World Juniors, which begin December 26th, include Adam Boqvist (Sweden) and Philipp Kurashev (Switzerland). Both have been sensational for their junior clubs and deserve to be representing their respective home countries.

PROSPECT ROUNDUP:

Despite a quiet week due to the World Juniors camps, a few Blackhawks prospects excelled for their respective clubs. Noteworthy performances came via Jake Ryczek once again, Alexis Gravel and Josiah Slavin.

Ryczek came off his hottest streak of the season entering play last week and over the weekend. In three games against Cape Breton, Moncton and Charlottetown, all at home, Ryczek registered one goal and one assist. Ryczek now has 19 points in 30 games this season for the Halifax Mooseheads. Halifax, along with the rest of the CHL, will be off until December 28th. The Mooseheads will head to Charlottetown on that day to resume their season.

Gravel has been arguably the most important player thus far for the Mooseheads. Over the three games mentioned above, Gravel went 2-0-1 while shutting-out the Moncton Wildcats, stopping all 33 shots faced. In the win over Charlottetown, Gravel stopped 30 of 32 shots faced. The young goaltender has a season record of 18-6-1 with 2 shutouts. He owns a 2.55 GAA and a .918 save percentage. It’s safe to say Gravel is a big reason for the amount of success the Mooseheads have had this season.

What a save by Blackhawks prospect Alexis Gravel.https://t.co/Gx0khyDS4u#QMJHL #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/5zW8ZdP8FG

— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) December 13, 2018

Slavin has cooled a bit recently for the Lincoln Stars. For the season, Slavin has 20 points in 22 games. Over the past weekend of USHL action, Slavin recorded one goal and one assist in three games against Tri-City, Waterloo and Des Moines on December 13th, 14th and 15th, respectively. The USHL is now on the same break as the CHL, so teams will not return to action until December 28th. Slavin and the Stars will visit Tri-City at that time to resume their campaign.

INJURY UPDATE:

Mikael Hakkarainen has not played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL since December 2nd. Rumors from those who closely follow the Lumberjacks say he has not played after taking a puck to the chin and has been held out for precautionary purposes. Look for the Finnish forward to hopefully return to action after the Christmas holiday break and continue his excellent campaign. The young Fin has 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in only 14 games to this point. It’s safe to say he has outplayed the USHL level.

Keep yourself in the loop during the World Juniors with The-Rink! Follow myself on Twitter @rnldluce, as well as @lateinthegoldie, for Blackhawks junior and college prospects highlights and information during the tournament.

The post Blackhawks Prospect Roundup: All is Quiet…Too Quiet appeared first on The Rink.

Team Canada looks to have selected a combination on heavy and versatile defenseman to round out their roster going into the tournament.  A big advantage of keeping Mitchell on the roster is most likely his ability to lead the Team Canada powerplay.  Mitchell’s a great facilitator on special teams and there is no doubt he will be successful.  He’s responsible in his own zone and has one of the best first passes in college hockey.

Mitchell is in his second season at Denver and is taking on a much larger role this season with the departures of Henrik Borgstrom, Dylan Gambrell, and Troy Terry.  In 14 games this season, Mitchell has two goals and nine assists helping the Pioneers to a 8-4-2 record this season.

Earlier this year, The-Rink caught up with Mitchell to talk about the growth of his game this season.

.@DU_Hockey defenseman @IanMitch15 on the growth of his game this season and facing @SCSUHUSKIES_MH next week #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/XAqzOsQFsX

— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) November 4, 2018

For more on Ian Mitchell and other Blackhawks prospects playing in the World Junior Tournament, be sure to check back in with The-Rink.com.

The post Blackhawks Prospect Ian Mitchell Makes Team Canada World Junior Roster appeared first on The Rink.

Surprise name of the week is Jake Ryczek. The Halifax Mooseheads defenseman registered six points over a three game stretch, after recording only two points in all of the month of November. Notable showings also came from Brandon Hagel, Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin.

JAKE RYCZEK – HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS – 2 GOALS, 4 ASSISTS

After the former 7th round pick’s average start for the Mooseheads, he became a stratch during the early games of December for Halifax. Most Blackhawks fans probably do not even know who Ryczek is, but he had the best three game stretch of his season over the weekend.

Ryczek began his strong weekend off against the Saint John Sea Dogs with one goal and one assist in a 10-2 win for Halifax. The next day against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Ryczek registered one goal and two assists in a 6-0 win for the Mooseheads. The three point outing was by far the best game for Ryczek to this point during the campaign. To finish the weekend, Ryczek recorded one assist for his sixth point in a 2-1 win over the Charlottetown Islanders to complete the weekend sweep for the Mooseheads.

The guy we call Ryzer had our 3rd goal of the night #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/rE7hWcNdfi

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) December 7, 2018

Ryczek was an important part of the Mooseheads’ success over the weekend. Three straight wins in three days helped bring Halifax within one point of the Maritimes division lead. If Ryczek continues to play this way, he could propel himself into a contract with the Blackhawks next season and some time down with the Rockford IceHogs. This won’t be an easy task for the 2016 7th round pick, as Rockford has a very crowded blue line. Not to mention the numerous talented defensemen on the way in Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin. Keep an eye on Ryczek to see if he continues his hot streak going into this week’s games. 

BRANDON HAGEL – RED DEER REBELS – 3 GOALS, 2 ASSISTS

After an outstanding prior week for Hagel, the young winger registered another five points in only two games over the weekend. In the Rebels’ 4-3 shootout win over the Regina Pats, Hagel scored one goal. The goal opened the games scoring late in the first period.

The next night, Hagel had an outstanding night in the Rebels’ 6-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos. He scored two goals and added two assists. The outing was Hagel’s third four-point outing of the season. The newest Blackhawks prospect now has 51 points in 29 games after Saturday’s action.

Hagel is carving himself a nice opportunity in the AHL next season with the Rockford IceHogs. If he can produce at the AHL level, he may get an audition at some point next year with the big club. It remains to be seen how well Hagel adapts to playing against men instead of boys (considering he is an over-ager in the WHL), he provides an exciting possibility for “what could be” in the future with the Blackhawks organization.

NICOLAS BEAUDIN – DRUMMONDVILLE VOLTIGEURS – 2 GOALS, 3 ASSISTS

In the three game stretch during the week, Beaudin continued his offensive dominance by registering two goals and three assists in three games. On December 5th and 7th against the Rimouski Océanic and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, respectively, Beaudin registered an assist in each game of the two game split for Drummondville. Despite the quiet two games, he stepped it up against Shawinigan on Sunday, December 9th.

In the commanding 11-1 win for the Voltigeurs, Beaudin scored two goals while also adding an assist. The young defenseman started the Voltigeurs’ scoring against the Shawinigan Cataractes. After being down 1-0 going into the second period, Beaudin scored to begin the second period, igniting a streak of eleven unanswered goals for the Voltigeurs to capture the victory.

Beaudin is continuing to prove he is an excellent talent on the blue line. He has no fear shooting the puck, as he registered seven shots on goal against Shawinigan. The 2018 first round pick is showing flashes of greatness, giving Blackhawks fans hope that the draft pick that was received for Chicago-native Ryan Hartman was put to good use. Beaudin looks to continue his better than point-per-game pace this week.

ADAM BOQVIST – LONDON KNIGHTS – 2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST

In two games over the past weekend, Boqvist continued his red-hot scoring streak, potting two goals and adding an assist. He has been fantastic in the last few weeks with London.

On Friday, December 7th, Boqvist scored his eight goal of the season in a big 8-1 Knights’ win over the Kingston Frontenacs. The next day, Boqvist would add his ninth goal of the campaign, which was the lone tally for London in a 5-1 loss to the Owen Sound Attack. The loss to the Sound ended a 15-game win streak for the Knights. 

Boqvist has been splendid over the last few weeks. Since November 22nd, the Knights defenseman has seven of his nine goals this season. It is safe to say that the young Swede is more comfortable on the North American ice sheet through nearly 25 games. Look for Boqvist to continue to be comfortable and produce at his better than point-per-game clip for the Knights. The Knights currently sit fourth in the CHL power rankings. With notable names Alex Formenton, Evan Bouchard and Boqvist, the Knights will likely make a strong run for the OHL title as well as the Memorial Cup.

Other:

• MacKenzie Entwistle – 2 Goals, 1 Assist
• Philipp Kurashev – Québec Remparts – 1 Goal
• Josiah Slavin – Lincoln Stars – 1 Goal
• Alexis Gravel – Halifax Mooseheads – 2 Wins, 61/64 saves

WORLD JUNIORS WATCH:

Be sure to keep an eye on numerous Blackhawks prospects through the holiday season. There is a good chance, once final World Juniors rosters are finalized, that Adam Boqvist, Nicolas Beaudin, Mackenize Entwistle, Philipp Kurashev and other Blackhawks college prospects will likely be representing their respective countries. Make sure to tune into The-Rink for the best coverage on both CHL and college representatives at the World Juniors.

Keep up with The-Rink for extensive CHL/USHL coverage of Chicago Blackhawks prospects.

The post Blackhawks Prospect Roundup: 12/3 – 12/9 appeared first on The Rink.

It’s a good sign that the Hawks have a couple players in college hockey that are doing well, as well as their prospects playing in the CHL.  But who are the next young players that can turn into regulars at the United Center?  Apparently it wasn’t Nick Schmaltz and maybe not Dylan Sikura.  And with systems changing under head coach Jeremy Colliton, it’s hard to say who will fit the new Blackhawks model.

As we approach March, careful eyes will be on the Blackhawks who in my opinion have a lot to sell.  The dilemma will be with Stan Bowman, a GM who may be too proud to sell off core pieces who still have value to save his own job.  When in reality, the Blackhawks need to get back to the basics and draft good players.  It’s hard to watch the slow decline of this core and listen their answerless post-game interviews.  It’s time to take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge who the Blackhawks are and where they’re going because fan support is waning.

Let’s take a look at something more positive, like the Hawks’ college hockey prospects.

Evan Barratt – Forward – Penn State University – 12G, 13A

Photo courtesy of the Daily Collegian

Evan Barratt continued his hot streak going into last weekend.  He scored a goal and an assist in Friday and Saturday’s game.  Unfortunately the Nittany Lions tied 3-3 on Friday and lost to Wisconsin on Saturday 5-8.  Team USA will be announcing their preliminary roster invitations for the World Junior Tournament in the coming days and Barratt’s name will be on watch for Blackhawks fans.

Penn State hosts Notre Dame this weekend.

https://twitter.com/PatrickBurns_/status/1068694883454599173

Gadowsky on Evan Barratt: "Two things really stand out about him: his compete level and IQ are off the charts. He loves to compete, and his mind is elite — it's different."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 4, 2018

Ian Mitchell – Defenseman – University of Denver – 2G, 9A

Photo courtesy of Magness Mayhem

The Pioneers were off last weekend, but two weeks ago Denver beat and tied Providence in a solid series at home.  Mitchell was held to one point, but continues to show his leadership and poise on the powerplay.  He has shown a lot of growth since his freshman year and isn’t shy about the spotlight.  Mitchell tends to make plays when he has the puck and his Pioneers teammates trust him to carry the mail at the point.

Team Canada has also noticed his progress this season, selecting Mitchell to the preliminary World Juniors roster.

The Pioneers travel to North Dakota to play the Fighting Hawks this weekend.

Making power moves #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/x5MWtLnsJx

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 25, 2018

Ian Mitchell → Hockey Canada WJC Selection Camp

Release: https://t.co/vOrmyXKMQg | #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/K89boo6miE

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) December 3, 2018

Chad Krys – Defenseman – Boston University – 3G, 5A

At 4-7-2, the Boston Terriers aren’t the powerhouse of Hockey East this year and that’s unfortunate for Chad Krys.  The Blackhawks 2016 2nd round pick has lost a lot of hype since the Blackhawks drafted Henri Jokiharju, Adam Boqvist, and Nicholas Beaudin and the struggling Terriers aren’t helping his cause.  Krys still has eight points in 10 games this season and continues to be a veteran leader for Boston.  It will be interesting to see where Krys fits into the Hawks system if he chooses to sign after this year.

Boston hosts UMass-Lowell this weekend.

Here's the goal that got @AgganisArena rocking in the first! #GoBU pic.twitter.com/IabyYEfOr5

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) December 1, 2018