The trade accomplishes multiple things for both sides. For Chicago, the Blackhawks land a quality top-six winger in Hall, who should be able to slot in nicely with Connor Bedard assuming he can stay healthy. Hall, a former first overall pick himself and former Hart Trophy winner, should also provide valuable leadership for Bedard, showing the phenom the ropes of being a first overall pick and how to handle the hype and expectations. Hall’s $6 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons will also help the team reach the salary cap floor. In Foligno, the Hawks acquire another respected veteran winger. Although past his prime, Foligno can still contribute in a bottom-six role while providing physicality and leadership. Foligno is currently an unrestricted free agent, but all signs point toward the Blackhawks intending to sign Foligno ahead of free agency opening on July 1.

For Boston, the Bruins “acquire” much-needed cap space, as something clearly needed to give in order for Boston to comfortably assemble a roster for next season. The Bruins also acquire a pair of underachieving blueliners ready for a fresh start who can provide organizational depth moving forward.

On the surface, although being a win-win deal for both sides, the Hawks would seem to be the bigger winners, as neither Mitchell nor Regula likely factored into the team’s long-term plans, as both players were unable to crack the Blackhawks’ lineup last season, while also adding a quality forward option in Hall and veteran depth in Foligno.

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks acquire Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno from Boston appeared first on The Rink.

The Chicago Blackhawks needed to focus on prospects for the last several years, and it finally appears that may be the approach. In mid-January, the Blackhawks brought up forward prospect Lukas Reichel to give him a two-game NHL showcase before sending him back down to Rockford as part of his development plan. Interim Head Coach Derek King described the plan as “a two-game taste of the NHL, then let him continue his development playing 20-plus minutes every night in Rockford as a ‘chance to do it right by him.'”

In addition to the approach for Reichel, Scott Powers of The Athletic is reporting that the Blackhawks are going to take a more patient approach with prospects in their system, especially the defensive ones. This new approach by Interim General Manager Kyle Davidson is a stark contrast to his predecessor’s plans for developing prospects. With the Blackhawks’ future success now hinging on drafting and developing players, it is a good sign that Davidson is not following the lead of former General Manager Stan Bowman.

Under Bowman, the Blackhawks legitimately developed two NHL prospects into NHL players. Those players are none other than Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Hartman.

Teuvo Teravainen

When the Blackhawks drafted Teravainen with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he was viewed as a steal of the draft. Teravainen was not viewed as a “need” pick for the current team, but a pick of the future. With the Blackhawks set at the forward position, Teravainen was able to develop with Jokerit in Helsinki, Finland, for 49 in games in 2013–14. After those 49 games, the Blackhawks brought him over to Rockford for five games before giving a showcase with the Blackhawks for three games before being shut down for the year.

Bowman said at the time:

“Everyone’s a young player at some point, and they go through their growing pains,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It’s a progression. It takes time. We’re fortunate we don’t have to rush guys into spots where they may not be prepared. But every year, we’ve seen one or two young guys come in.”

Teravainen spent 39 games in Rockford the following season before playing 34 games with the Blackhawks during the regular season and all 18 playoff games. The next season, he appeared in 78 games with the Blackhawks before being sent off to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Bryan Bickell trade.

Since the Blackhawks sent Teravainen to the Hurricanes, the organization has not invested the minor-league time into prospects. Every top prospect since Teravainen has been hyped up way too much, not given time to develop in Rockford, rushed to the NHL and then given up on. Every other prospect has been jettisoned before they could develop into any type of regular NHL player.

The Bowman prospect formula

The Blackhawks’ prospect formula seemed to be the same after Teravainen. Ryan Hartman got 78 games in the AHL before being recalled to the Blackhawks. In his first full season in the NHL, Hartman scored 19 goals and 12 assists in 76 games. He appeared in all four playoff games. He regressed the following year, and instead of sending him back down to Rockford, they shipped him out of town. Hartman might have finally put it together at the age of 27 with Minnesota.

After Hartman the formula again changed, as then-top prospect Nick Schmaltz got 12 games in Rockford before being recalled. He broke out in 2017–18 with 21 goals and 31 assists. He was third on the team in points that season, tied with Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat.

After that season, Bowman was quoted regarding the plan for the team’s better young players:

“I guess I want to make it clear our No. 1 priority as we move forward is to make sure we can keep these young players — DeBrincat and Schmaltz and (Vinnie) Hinostroza and some other young players that are going to maybe join our team over the next year or two,” 

Schmaltz then became mired in a season-long slump in 2018–19, and instead of sending him down to get his game right, the organization shipped Schmaltz to Arizona for Dylan Strome and Brandon Perlini. Despite thinking Schmaltz would be a very good player in the league, it was obvious that the Blackhawks had decided it was time to move on. Now, Schmaltz has not set the world on fire in Arizona, but nobody seems to succeed down in the desert.

The formula changes again

After Schmaltz, the Blackhawks decided they need to start hyping up their prospects because the NHL team looked to be trending downward, which brings us to Dylan Sikura. Sikura was a sixth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Sikura went to college at Northeastern for four years, where his game improved substantially each year. Powers stated, “He has top-six upside and likely can step into an NHL lineup immediately.”

If Sikura had not signed with the Blackhawks, 30 teams would have been all over him, Powers went on to add. Bowman was quoted saying that Sikura would have been one of the Blackhawks’ main trade deadline acquisitions and would be able to help the Blackhawks into the playoffs and beyond. The internet went wild after reading this statement, predicting that Sikura would score 30 goals in the NHL in his first season. Sikura for his tenure appeared in 47 NHL games and was traded to Vegas for Brandon Pirri. Pirri is a career AHL goal scorer and is currently back with the Rockford IceHogs.

The Blackhawks were not deterred by the Sikura overhype debacle and the Hartman mistake. The Blackhawks got very lucky with DeBrincat, who has made himself a complete player while at the NHL level, having never played a single game in the AHL. After DeBrincat, the Blackhawks drafted and jettisoned off Henri Jokiharju to Buffalo. Jokiharju was playing NHL minutes with Duncan Keith before Jeremy Colliton took over behind the bench and banished him out of town.

Current prospect pool

After severely damaging their prospect pool in a last-gasp effort to save his job, Bowman shipped off Adam Boqvist, who appears to be developing quite nicely in Columbus. Before being traded, Boqvist was starting to improve in his own end.

Now, the Blackhawks need to figure out how to develop at the NHL level and Rockford because they need more than cup-of-coffee guys in the NHL. Below is some analysis of where notable players in the current prospect pool stand and how their development has been and should be handled.

Kirby Dach

While Dach is not necessarily a prospect anymore after playing 121 NHL games, he is still in the development stage of his career. In this stage, Dach has had a lot to overcome. He was not afforded very much time in the AHL due to the transfer agreement between the NHL and CHL. The agreement is as follows:

This rule is based on the NHL and CHL Agreement, which states a signed player aged 18 or 19 who was claimed from a CHL club and is not retained by the NHL club, must be assigned to the CHL junior club whom he last played for or owes a contractual obligation.

So, the Blackhawks decided to keep Dach with the NHL team instead of sending him back to the CHL’s Saskatoon Blades, where he very likely would have been dominating on a nightly basis. While it is tough to argue against the Hawks’ decision, it was a catch-22 situation for the team, as the “right” place for Dach to develop likely would have been the AHL. Dach had nothing left to prove in the CHL, but was not truly ready to play in the NHL, either. Continuing his development in the AHL and allowing him to get used to a faster and stronger game in the minors would have given him the proper opportunity to grow, rather than being forced to play above his head at the game’s highest level as an 18-year-old. In reality, very few players are truly ready to play in the NHL at 18, and the CHL-NHL transfer agreement adversely affects players like Dach in that middle ground by forcing them into a typically detrimental development path instead of allowing them to take the next step at the AHL level.

Unfortunately for Dach, he was injured in training camp and was to be sent down to the AHL on a conditioning assignment, the only way for him to play in the minors. Dach played three games in the AHL during the brief assignment before being recalled. During his rookie year, the Blackhawks qualified to compete in the postseason bubble after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the play-in series to get in. Dach was dominant in the series against Edmonton and played well against Vegas.

After that season, the Blackhawks allowed him to play with Canada in the 2021 World Junior Championships, where he was named captain of the squad. In my opinion, it was to give Dach an opportunity to be a leader and to build confidence after a strong rookie season, however, the plan backfired when he broke his wrist during a preliminary game for the tournament.

The Blackhawks then rushed him back to the NHL to appear in 18 games in a lost season. While Colliton was hailed as being a great communicator, he really never developed anyone at the AHL or NHL level. Hopefully, the new voice of Derek King, who has been a career AHL coach, can help develop Dach more at the NHL level. King being named the interim head coach might have been for that very reason: A coach whose goal is to develop players and try to win at the same time. As The Rink’s Andy Campbell aptly pointed out, the Blackhawks did not have a plan for Dach and are now trying to develop him on the fly.

Lukas Reichel

Reichel is the gem of the Blackhawks’ current prospect pool. The 19-year-old has spent 26 games in Rockford this season, scoring 12 goals and racking up 14 assists. Now, the original plan was to give him a two-game showcase in the NHL before sending him back down, but now reports are surfacing that Reichel could be brought up again later in the season in order to burn the first year of his entry-level contract in order to make his second contract cheaper. However, one could argue that bringing Reichel up again this season would be a mistake from a development standpoint. Dobber Prospects wrote an article in 2018 stating that a first-line player averages a full AHL season and a second-line player averages close to a season and half in the AHL.

The assumption has to be that Reichel is going to be a top-six forward, and based on limited sample size, the data suggest that he should remain in the AHL for this entire season at the very least. Also, people should take note that the last five 17th overall picks have spent time in the AHL or CHL before becoming NHL players. Unlike Dach and other third overall picks, most of the time the 17th pick is either sent back to his CHL team or plays in the AHL. Reichel is also an exception to that rule because the 17th pick of late has usually been a North American player. Young European players tend to need adjustment to the North American style of play and the ice, which would lengthen their development timeline, if anything. The last high-profile player drafted from Germany, Tim Stutzle, jumped to the NHL because of the state of his team, the Ottawa Senators, and not necessarily because he was ready to play in the NHL.

Reichel will be a curious case to watch because he could outgrow the AHL very soon. But again, the question needs to be focused more on his long-term growth. Just because he CAN play in the NHL right now does not mean he NEEDS to.

Jakub Galvas

Jakub Galavs was the 150th pick of the fifth round in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After playing in the Czech league with Olomouc, he joined Jukurit for two seasons in the SM-Liiga. This year, he was called up to the Blackhawks out of necessity and played well in his three-game call-up. King (and many of us here at The Rink) was very impressed by Galvas.

“I’ll be honest with you, I was very surprised how good he played,” interim head coach Derek King told reporters following the 4-2 win. “I knew he was pretty calm with the puck, he could skate and he can make plays and he’s a smart player, but he looked really good today. He stepped up. That’s not easy.”

After three games, he was sent down to Rockford to play 25 minutes per night and continue to develop. The Blackhawks currently have too many defensemen to have warranted keeping Galvas up in the NHL. Now, he could see more time in the NHL if the Blackhawks trade one of their defensemen at the deadline. Galvas has appeared in 25 games with Rockford this season.

Ian Mitchell

Mitchell was a victim of the Bowman formula: He was overhyped before making his NHL debut. Mitchell was a second-round pick in 2017 before joining the University of Denver.

“He dominated the games I saw at Denver this year. He’s such a good skater, very involved in the play. He [did] a little bit of everything for that team as their captain. I think it bodes well [for] how he’s going to transition to the NHL. I think his game lines up with exactly how we want to play. He’s a fun player to watch.” – Bowman on Jan. 7, 2020

When Mitchell made his NHL debut in 2020–21, playing 39 games with the Blackhawks before being sent down to Rockford for five games. Mitchell was outmatched and clearly out of place in the NHL last season. This season, he has only appeared in eight NHL games and has spent the majority of the season in Rockford.

Recent reports are saying the Blackhawks are taking a patient approach with blue line prospects such as Mitchell. Mitchell, being a second-round pick, should have started his pro career in the AHL. Second-round picks have a 25% chance of making the NHL after being drafted. Before Mitchell was drafted at the 57th pick, the last defenseman drafted at 57 was Jonas Siegenthaler. Siegenthaler spent 122 games in the AHL with 28 games in the Swiss-A league sprinkled in before making his NHL debut. Seigenthaler was drafted in 2015 and did not make his NHL debut until the 2018–19 season. Since Mitchell, two defensemen have been drafted at the 57, Axel Andersson, who is still in the AHL, and Samuel Bolduc, also still in the AHL. So, when the Blackhawks rushed Mitchell to the NHL with all the hype, they did not do him any favors. He needs to continue to play in the AHL and develop his game. Mitchell might not have the potential to be an NHL regular for a few more seasons.

Nicolas Beaudin

The Blackhawks also said they would be preaching patience with Beaudin. Beaudin was the 27th pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Beaudin has played in 30 AHL games this season and only two games with the Blackhawks. Beaudin, who was viewed by some as being an NHL-ready prospect entering this season, might have fallen behind the likes of Galvas in the pecking order. Beaudin needs to start improving his game at the AHL to have a shot at the NHL this season. In his last NHL game, he played just 1:11 of ice time before being sent back to Rockford.

With defensemen taking longer to develop, Beaudin still has a chance to play a regular role for the Blackhawks in the future, but the team needs to start seeing some tangible results. A positive sign for the organization is that they are not giving up on Beaudin and trading him away like past prospects.

Arvid Soderblom

The only goalie prospect with projectable NHL upside currently in the Blackhawks’ minor-league system is Soderblom. Soderblom is a 22-year-old goalie who signed as a European free agent with the Blackhawks last year. Undrafted, he spent his entire career in Sweden before coming over to North America for this season. Soderblom appeared in the offseason prospect tournament between the Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild and impressed the coaching staff during that tournament.

After the tournament, Soderblom began the season in Rockford before being recalled. Soderblom drew praise from King this past week.

“He’s getting NHL shots,” King said Wednesday. “He’s seeing how we operate here, the pace in practice…and just the everyday life of an NHLer. It’s great. Eventually, he’s going to be here (permanently). We just don’t know how long it’s going to take him.”

Now, the Blackhawks are starting to up his workload as he made back-to-back starts at Rockford after being sent down. This was the first time he has made back-to-back starts in Rockford. He was sensational against the Chicago Wolves last Saturday, making 36 saves in regulation and then stopping two shooters in the shootout to get the victory. The plan for Soderblom is to play at least one more game in NHL this season according to King. His plan might be altered if the anticipated trade of Marc-Andre Fleury does in fact happen. Soderblom could be recalled to split time with Kevin Lankinen or fill in from time to time.

People should remain cautious with Soderblom. For goalies, progress does not have to be linear. Corey Crawford came up several times to get starts for the Hawks before finally becoming the full-time starter in 2010–11 after being drafted in 2005.

Drew Commesso

While Soderblom is perhaps the lone goalie prospect with NHL upside in the current minor-league system, Drew Commesso has the most upside of any Blackhawks netminder prospect.

The second-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2020 has a record of 12–8–3 with a .915 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average with Boston University. In addition to putting up good numbers at Boston University, Commesso was named the starting goalie for Team USA in the World Junior Championship. Sadly, the tournament was ended due to the COVID-19 outbreaks among teams. Despite the tournament being cut short, fans might get to see Commesso on the biggest international stage, the Olympics. With the NHL not allowing its players to travel to the Olympics, Team USA went into the college ranks to add players to their roster, which now includes Commesso.

Regardless of whether Commesso plays in the Olympics or not, Blackhawks fans should not be expecting Commesso to be in the NHL anytime soon. The path to the NHL is still long for goalies after playing college hockey. An example of this would be Boston University alum Jake Oettinger. Oettinger was taken with 26th pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. After finishing a three-year career at BU, he cameoed for the Texas Stars for six games in 2018–19. Oettinger then spent the entire 2019–20 season in the AHL, starting 38 games for the Texas Stars. In 2020, he got 29 games with the Dallas Stars. Despite 29 games in the NHL the year prior, Oettinger was reassigned to the AHL for 10 games this season. Oettinger finally may have found his footing in the NHL this season. He just shut out the Boston Bruins this week for his 11th win of the season.

If the Blackhawks want another example, look no further than the aforementioned Crawford. Crawford was a second-round pick, just like Commesso. After finishing up his time in the QMJHL, Crawford spent five full seasons in the AHL. He appeared in 255 AHL games before being offered the backup spot behind Marty Turco. It was not until he supplanted Turco in 2010–11 that he was locked into an NHL spot. The Blackhawks will need to be patient with the development of Commesso. It is going to take several years, and that is perfectly okay.

Bottom line

The bottom line is the Blackhawks have not been getting their prospects to develop within their organization. The Bowman-led front office did not have a development plan in place. With the new philosophy in place, that does not mean every prospect in the system will develop into NHL players; some guys might be career AHL, ECHL or European players. The fact that there are plans in place is a step in the right direction. Now, let’s be patient and wait on the results.

The post Prospect development is key to the Blackhawks’ future appeared first on The Rink.

With that being said, here is a quick look at how the top prospects are performing in their respective leagues.

Lukas Reichel

The Rockford IceHog netted a hat trick on Nov. 7 against the Manitoba Moose and continues to impress in the early season in the AHL. The German-born forward has produced six goals and nine points in 10 games. As a 19-year-old learning the professional game on this side of the pond, there should be no rush in his development. With Stan Bowman gone, he will likely play big minutes against men in the AHL and see a “cup of coffee” toward the end of the Blackhawks’ season.

Evan Barratt

The 22-year-old center has found his way into seven games for the IceHogs this season, netting one goal and two assists. The Bristol, Pennsylvania, native brings an energy to his game that a bottom line in the NHL would like to see. Barratt’s overall skills will not “wow” anyone, but he could be a call-up over Reese Johnson moving forward this season for the Blackhawks.

Colton Dach

The 18-year-old brother of Blackhawks’ forward Kirby Dach has produced since being moved to the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League. Dach is pacing the Rockets at a point per game and has six goals in 11 games. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he should be able to find some space for himself and continue to use his shooting skills to impress in the WHL.

Josiah Slavin

Slavin continues to impress in Rockford this season and has been a wild-card favorite of this author since watching him skate in the USHL for the Chicago Steel. The Erie, Colorado, native and younger brother of Carolina Hurricanes standout blue liner Jaccob Slavin has three goals and four assists for the IceHogs and continues to show he can use his 6-foot-3 frame to his advantage all over the ice. Slavin should be a call-up this season or next if the 22-year-old continues to show he can be effective in all areas of the ice.

Nolan Allan

With no first-round pick last season because of the Seth Jones trade, Bowman reached for the 18-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has been a steady rock this season for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. Allan is not expected to find himself on the scoresheet much, but needs to continue to hone is skills in the defensive end as a suffocating defenseman that is difficult to play against.

Nicolas Beaudin

The shine is starting to wear off on the defenseman, as Beaudin has struggled in six games in Rockford this season and looked over-matched in his time playing against NHL-caliber players. The former first-round pick in 2018 needs to show he can play defense against the best in the world and not just rely on his offensive talents he showed at a young age. Fans should not be surprised if he gets passed up on the next call-up to the NHL.

Ian Mitchell

Much like Beaudin, Mitchell needs to continue to show he can play against the top players in the world. In eight games in Rockford, Mitchell is a -5 and continues to look indecisive on his reads and plays defensively. In the NHL for 42 games already, one would hope that former bench boss Jeremy Colliton was not developing the the 174-pound defenseman, but the shine is wearing off on Mitchell, too.

Drew Commesso

The Norwell, Massachusetts, native is off to a 4–5–1 start for the Terriers of Boston University. The 6-foot-2 goaltender has taken the brunt off the struggles of the team early on with his 3.17 goals against average and .891 save percentage. The 19-year-old has time to turn the early season struggles around and help his team make a push in the Hockey East.

The post Chicago Blackhawks November prospect report appeared first on The Rink.

The news on Toews is scary. It is, and from his statement on Tuesday, there is so much unknown as to his condition. This does not seem like your typical NHL “undisclosed” situation, either. The truth is not being hidden; neither Toews nor the organization know what is contributing to his ailment, and they are actively trying to figure it out. Many have been critical of Toews’ play in recent years, and that is fine, but this has been the Hawks’ best 200-foot player over the last 13 seasons, period. He is their leader, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, Conn Smythe winner and his name and number will be stitched on a banner and hung from the rafters of the United Center. His contributions to what has been the best era in Chicago Blackhawks hockey are immeasurable, and whether you had high hopes for the Hawks this season or if you were hoping for failure and a rebuild, it is really hard to envision the team without Captain Serious. Let’s just hope that they can pinpoint his ailment and he can successfully recover.

Without captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks begin the season with more questions than answers. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

As for the 2020–21 season; now what? Circumstances have changed, the team is weaker and picturing the Hawks jumping into the playoff mix come springtime is unrealistic. In fact, this could get ugly. The defensive unit is a weak spot, they are unproven between the pipes and without Nylander, Dach and Toews, the offense is significantly affected. General Manager Stan Bowman’s half-hearted “rebuild” has just been put into overdrive. Regardless of the message to fans or the organization’s intentions for the 2020–21 season, the Hawks will not be very good. There is a real possibility that without so many key ingredients, that they will finish towards the bottom of the barrel in the league and will have a lottery pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Whether or not Bowman and company elect to re-sign Dylan Strome will not change this team for the better, and if they can move him for futures or picks, they are wise to do so.

New/old acquisition Brandon Pirri will play more than many expected early on. Centers Carl Soderberg and Mattias Janmark, originally thought to be third- and fourth-line fixtures, may now be ticketed for first- and second-line duties. While the Hawks may not win many games with those two players in those roles, all fans should be rooting for them. On one-year deals, if either Soderberg, or the one-time 19-goal scorer, Janmark, are productive, come the April 12 trade deadline, either or both could see a decent return for the Hawks’ future. Newly acquired center Lucas Wallmark may also fall into that category.

Newly acquired forward Mattias Janmark could now have a more pivotal role entering the season. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Before the injuries, there are some fans that unwisely may have thought the Hawks’ were contenders heading into this season, while others were beating the “play the kids” drum as loudly as possible. Well, the latter is here. The kids will play. You will not see a complete youth movement, as the Hawks will mettle with their more experienced depth early on, but as the season chugs along, be ready to see a revolving door between Chicago and Rockford.

Some prospects may now be locks out of mini camp. Barring disappointment, it is possible or likely, that Pius Suter may be in a top-six role right away, and fans should be excited because of the tools he brings to the table. Winger Brandon Hagel had a decent 19-goal run in Rockford last season and at some point will see some NHL action. Hagel has been on loan to Thurgau in the second-tier Swiss League (SL) this season and has tallied 15 points in 14 games. Prospect MacKenzie Entwistle brings his 6-foot-3 size, speed and energy to the table. Entwistle is starting to figure out a professional game and with 26 points in Rockford in 2019–20, he is another to keep an eye on. Responsible center prospect Philipp Kurashev, fresh off a loan to Lugano in the Swiss-A league, could use more time in Rockford, but if the Hawks wisely shed some center depth at the trade deadline, he could get his first taste of the NHL in mid-April. Evan Barratt may have a longer road to being a true NHL impact player, but his skillset and hockey sense are there. He will most likely be in Rockford for the bulk of the season and rightly so, but injuries and/or trades could see him in Chicago for some games. Lastly, considering he is currently in North America playing in the World Junior Championship, inviting Czech prospect Michael Teply to camp should be something to consider.

The blue line, though not one to brag about, has a little more stability than it did a year ago—for now.  It is expected that Ian Mitchell will get his shot, and it will be interesting to see if he is as good as advertised. Nikita Zadorov, acquired in the Brandon Saad trade, will be a regular, as will Calvin de Haan, Connor Murphy, Adam Boqvist, Duncan Keith and yes, Brent Seabrook; remember him? Will the Hawks be able to unload the hefty contracts of Seabrook, Keith, de Haan or Murphy come the trade deadline? Seabrook, never, and the others, probably not in this economic climate unless the Hawks eat a big chunk of salary and cap hit.

Considering how much this unit will be playing in their own end of the ice though, injuries will happen and the combination of that and what may be inconsistent play from some will result in call ups and some younger kids getting a crack in the lineup. Wyatt Kalynuk, Lucas Carlsson and Nicolas Beaudin could all factor into that. Alec Regula is an intriguing prospect with high upside, but he is likely to see the entire season in Rockford. Another rearguard worth noting is Anton Lindholm. The lesser name in the Saad trade has played NHL minutes in Colorado and has been coveted by Bowman for some time. At 26, Lindholm knows a pro game and, should younger prospects be better served with time in Rockford, Lindholm could provide support in the back.

Coming back from injury, Brent Seabrook and others will be busier than ever in their own zone. (Photograph courtesy of NBC Sports)

A season of change is ahead, that is for sure. The number of different players and combinations that will be in and out of the lineup is impossible to predict, but if you are betting, take the over. At this point, anything is in play. Limit your expectations in the win column, as some games will not be much fun to watch. That said, keep an eye on the lineup as pieces of the Blackhawks’ future may be on the ice, and earlier than expected.

The post ANALYSIS: The Blackhawks’ kids will play appeared first on The Rink.

Both Mitchell (three-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season) and Kalynuk (two-year entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season) were reported earlier in the season pause, but Suter was only speculated, as he had several teams bidding for his services.

Forward Pius Suter has inked a 1-year contract ($925,000 salary cap hit) that runs through the 2020-21 season!

Last season Suter recorded a league-best and career-high 53 points (30G, 23A) in 50 contests en route to earning Switzerland’s National League-A MVP award. pic.twitter.com/iL8NmwGy4y

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 16, 2020

Suter signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks after an MVP season in Switzerland’s National League with the ZSC Lions, where he led the league in scoring with 53 points (30 goals, 23 assists) in 50 games. He also had five points (two goals, three assists) in three Swiss Cup games. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed forward played both center and left wing with the Lions this past season.

The native of Zurich, Switzerland, played two seasons (2013–15) in North America with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 96 points (52 goals, 44 assists) in 127 regular season games and scoring 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 29 playoff games.

Suter is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp in November following the return to play tournament. Either way, he will prove to be a cost-effective option for Stan Bowman and a team that will be greatly handicapped by the flat salary cap.

The post Blackhawks sign free agent Pius Suter from Swiss National League, finalize Kalynuk and Mitchell contracts appeared first on The Rink.

The-Rink.com writers John Jaeckel, Jeff “El Gatekeeper” Osborn, Mario Tirabassi, Juliana Nikac, Lucas Rozell, Marie Sexton, Eric Andrews, Matt Csakai and Sean Fitzgerald get together again on Facebook live to lightheartedly discuss the lack of hockey during this pandemic.

• Can the NHL really restart in July?
• Ian Mitchell and Michal Teply sign entry level deals
• Juliana talks about NWHL news
• Mario talks about the Rockford Icehogs and Gate hits him with an Ian McCoshen scouting request
• Lucas brings us up to date about the Avalanche / Ryan Graves and Marie gives us the lowdown with the Colorado Eagles.
• Some ancient video game talk.
• We talk about great (or not so great) Canadian food.
• We wrap up with what each of us has been doing to keep sane.
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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.

The post Blackhawks, Ian Mitchell agree to terms on entry-level contract 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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

Once the NCAA season officially kicks off this fall, we will get back to posting weekly roundups on our blog and on twitter recapping production and progress from all the Hawks’ NCAA players.  But right now, we wanted to rank the top five players at the collegiate level.  There is a good mix of lower and upperclassmen playing in several conferences of college hockey this year so it should be a blast.

Let’s get started.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Five NCAA Prospects

5.  Jake Wise – Forward, Boston University

I didn’t plan on having Wise crack this list, but his prospect camp performance and upside made it a tough decision.  Drafted this year in the third round, Wise is coming off a couple seasons playing in the US National Development program.  He will be attending Boston University this fall, joining a hockey program that has been dominant in years past.

Wise’s numbers show he’s a play-making center and he put that on display this summer at prospect camp.  His speed and hands were the topic of conversation over the summer earning him a reputation of potentially being the Blackhawks’ “steal of the draft.”  Wise will be spending his weekends playing tough opponents such as the Northeastern Huskies and the Boston College Eagles, but hopefully fellow Blackhawks prospect and junior at BU Chad Krys can help him ease into the transition.  Wise will also be surrounded by a great forward group featuring Bobo Carpenter, Shane Bowers, and Patrick Harper.

4.  Fredrik Olofsson – Forward, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Although Olofsson’s numbers don’t blow you out of the water, he was one of the most polished players that I got to see play last year.  Qualities like speed and size stick out immediately to the naked eye of a spectator, but hockey sense is blaring to those who watch a lot of hockey.  Olofsson showed a lot of maturity and poise last season, and could be on the verge of a breakout season.

The Broomfield Colorado-native could have signed pro but decided to go back to college for his senior year.  The Mavericks will be much improved from last season when they went 17-17-2, and they could turn the tide on other powerhouses in the NCHC like Minnesota-Duluth and the University of Denver.  Now that he is more familiar playing the center position, this season is huge for Olofsson to prove he’s worthy of a pro contract, and the Hawks could really use a player like Freddy.

3.  Evan Barratt – Forward, Penn State University

Evan Barratt may be one of the most exciting Blackhawks prospects to watch this season.  Adding 18 points in 32 games, Barratt had a solid season for a freshman and really started to thrive in the Nittany Lion’s system towards the end of the season.  His frame and size resemble a former Blackhawk that show an intriguing comparison;  Dave Bolland.  Bolland was an absolute pain in the rear to play against but he also had great skill.  Not to mention his goals were as scrappy as they come.  If Barratt can continue to score and be scrappy, he may find his niche to get his ticket to Chicago someday.

Penn State and their run-and-gun style of play should take a huge step this season and Barratt could be at the forefront of that.  The Big Ten is set to be a difficult conference again this fall, but don’t look past what kind of noise Penn State could make.  If Barratt can find his was past the 30-35 point mark with some extra ice time this season, he could really show some serious positive strides.

2.  Chad Krys – Defenseman, Boston University

The is no doubt defenseman Chad Krys has skill, but the question is where he fits into the Blackhawks future plans on the blue line.  In a system that was once dried up of defensive prospects, it now may rank in the top ten NHL-wide.  Krys has the competition of several prospects at the AHL level above him, and top draft picks below him in the junior ranks.  Of course all he will say is that he needs to focus on himself, but we all know his season will have to do the talking for him.

The Blackhawks want to see more physicality and ability to retrieve pucks and exit cleanly from Krys.  It’s no secret he can skate better than most that he’s on the ice with, but this season will be a focus on his ability to keep pucks out of the net.  The next year or two will most likely have a few prospects on the move to make roster spots and Krys will have to do his best to show he’s worth the wait.

1.  Ian Mitchell – Defenseman, The University of Denver

Defenseman Ian Mitchell is becoming one of the most decorated Blackhawks prospects when it comes to his hockey resume.  Last season, he was one of the nation’s top defenseman and made the all-freshman team for the NCHC conference.  The Denver Pioneers were just one win away from another Frozen Four appearance but they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Mitchell finished the season with two goals and 28 assists.

This summer, Mitchell has been training hard for the 2018-19 season and his work is showing.  He impressed at Blackhawks prospect camp this summer and then played in the World Juniors showcase for Team Canada in Kamloops British Columbia alongside 2018 1st round pick Nicolas Beadin.  There is a very strong possibility Mitchell could sign with the Blackhawks after his sophomore season, but it’s safe to say his development is right on track.

The post Ranking the Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Five NCAA Prospects appeared first on The Rink.

The two practice sessions reverted back to the style of those on Monday and Tuesday with all of the players on the same sheet of ice and closely resembled the format of the early practices as well: beginning with a light warm-up, followed by some skating drills, largely focusing on intricacies of skating technique, as the drills were sometimes a bit awkward, then transitioning into various drills including one-on-one physical battles and puck protection. Some more team-oriented type of drills followed, usually in the form of two-on-twos or a transition/regroup type of drill. The sessions were wrapped up with a structured full-length transition mini-game. Film from the mini-game can be viewed on Twitter, with Group A visible here and Group B visible here.

Friday will wrap up this year’s prospect camp, and the fans will be treated to a scrimmage, the first full-ice five-on-five action of the week. The scrimmage should serve as a good method to see the players’ skills in a real game situation.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during today’s sessions:

• Frederik Olofsson had a better day today. He looked more confident and had some really nice shots throughout the skate.
• Jake Wise continued to impress. He has clearly worked hard and his skills continue to stand out. Needless to say, he has been a very pleasant surprise. It should be fun to see what he can do in Friday’s scrimmage.
• Josiah Slavin continued his display of high-end shooting. While he is still a long way from being an NHL player, there is no denying he can really shoot the puck.
• Alexandre Fortin had another good day, exuding confidence and polish throughout the session. He has been one of the most noticeable forwards in the camp.
• Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin displayed a glimpse of their high-end puck-moving abilities during a warm-up passing drill. The pair of 2018 first rounders partnered up in the drill and showcased their passing skills, rapidly firing one-touch passes to each other flawlessly for the duration of the drill.
• Boqvist also showed off his defensive ability a bit today in some drills. He had a very active stick and did a very good job knocking pucks off of opponents’ sticks.
• Tim Soderlund again showed good intensity throughout the skate. He has worked hard and has had a nice jump in his step throughout the week.
• John Dahlstrom continued to show his ability to be a pain to play against. He has shown an ability to use his body to cause havoc for opposing players, similar to Andrew Shaw in some ways.
• Chad Krys had a highlight-reel assist during one of today’s drills. Krys served as the point man in the drill and upon cue, rifled a perfect shot-pass to a wide open teammate on the back door for a tap-in. The play received praise from the coaches and other players on the ice and was another example of Krys’s confidence on display.
• Ian Mitchell continued to show off his wicked wrist shot. On a couple of occasions throughout the day, Mitchell cleanly beat goaltenders with perfectly placed lasers. Mitchell also had a really nice goal in the post-practice impromptu shootout, totally undressing goaltender Alexis Gravel in the process.
• Niklas Nordgren did not skate today. Nordgren has not taken the ice since Monday. Still no word on his status.

Check out photos from the week here:

The post Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Day 4 appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks opted for a new practice format to focus more heavily on positional skills. The group rotation continued, with Group A skating first, followed by Group B.

Since MB Ice Arena has two sheets of ice, the Blackhawks took advantage of the space. The practices were largely split into separate practices for the forwards and defensemen, with the goaltenders splitting time on each side. At the conclusion of the ice time for each group, the players were joined for a three-on-three mini scrimmage, the first full-ice competition of the camp.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during today’s skates:

• Ian Mitchell used his stick exceptionally well again today during the defense group drills. Throughout the week, Mitchell has shown the ability to have his stick pressuring the attacking player almost as soon as the player receives the puck. His gaps have been excellent. Additionally, during his group’s three-on-three mini scrimmage, Mitchell scored on a wicked, top-shelf wrist shot.
• Adam Boqvist showed good quickness during a breakout drill in the defense group practice. He used his skating ability to wait a split second longer behind the net to bait the attacking player. Boqvist was able to identify the open teammate and get the puck to them quickly.
• Chad Krys again showed good intensity and composure today. After a rough Monday, he seems to be settled in and is playing with much more confidence.
• John Dahlstrom and Alexis Gravel had a bit of a feud taking place during their practice. At one point in a drill, Dahlstrom took a hack at Gravel in an attempt to get a rebound opportunity. Gravel took exception and stared Dahlstrom down afterward. The two yapped at each other throughout the rest of the practice.
• Wouter Peeters continues to be an enigma. His play has left a lot to be desired and he seems to lack confidence. Jeff determined the best word to describe Peeters is “clunky.”
• Josiah Slavin again impressed with his shot. He has shown to have heavy and accurate wrist shots and snapshots. While he could greatly benefit from adding some muscle, there is no denying he has a great shot and knows how to use it.
• Jake Wise displayed his shooting talent today, regularly beating goaltenders clean during drills. Wise also had a nifty goal during his group’s three-on-three mini scrimmage, stick handling around a defender and then beating the goaltender.
• Jake McLaughlin, a 6’2”, 185-pound defenseman from UMass and a Hinsdale, Illinois, native, joined the camp today with Group B. McLaughlin donned a number 96 white jersey. He registered three goals and 10 assists last season as a sophomore in 39 games to go along with 28 penalty minutes and a –4 rating. Two of McLaughlin’s three tallies came on the man advantage.
• Niklas Nordgren again did not skate today, nor did Blake Hillman and Jack Ramsey. No word on their statuses.

Check out photos from the week here:

The post Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Day 3 appeared first on The Rink.

The Rink’s top-ranked Blackhawks unsigned prospect is defenseman Ian Mitchell of the University of Denver.

Ian Mitchell
2017–18 Team: Denver (NCAA)
Date of Birth: January 18, 1999
Place of Birth: Calahoo, AB
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 174 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D
Acquired: 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 2nd round, 57th overall

Although not a highly sought-after player heading into the 2017 draft, the Blackhawks grabbed Mitchell with the 57th pick, which many felt was a bit of a reach given most felt he would be a third round pick. However, Mitchell has done nothing but prove the Hawks right since being drafted. After an impressive freshman year at Denver, Mitchell appears to be shaping into a steal.

Mitchell plays a polished two-way game. He has shown good offensive ability and sound defensive coverage in Denver, an impressive feat for a freshman playing big minutes for one of the best programs in the nation. His growth has even sparked the interest of Hockey Canada, who recently invited Mitchell to participate in their World Junior Summer Showcase, a tournament and mini training camp of sorts for the 2019 World Junior Championships. Mitchell is expected to compete for a spot on Canada’s blue line for the World Juniors, alongside fellow Blackhawks prospect Nicolas Beaudin.

Mitchell’s skating ability is one of his best assets. He has outstanding speed and acceleration, allowing him to cover a ton of ice, seemingly with ease. Mitchell’s speed allows him to be a threat on the rush, especially given he enjoys leading the rush. Mitchell also has good agility, allowing him to avoid pressure from the opposition.

Mitchell possesses high-end vision and play making ability, allowing him to be a great power play quarterback. Mitchell thrived in that role at Denver this season, helping the Pioneers to have a highly effective power play. Mitchell is able to spot soft spots in defensive coverage and exploit them with quick, accurate passes to his teammates. Mitchell is also able to create space for his teammates by using his skating ability to draw defenders to him and then distribute the puck.

While not overly powerful, Mitchell has an effective shot because of his release, accuracy and ability to get it through traffic and on net. He scored only two goals last season, but registered 28 assists, many of which came on deflection goals or rebound goals by his teammates. Mitchell’s shot will improve with added strength, a focus of his development while at Denver.

Defensively, Mitchell is surprisingly effective despite his lack of size. He uses his high-end skating ability to cover the ice well and close gaps quickly. Mitchell is not afraid to get physical to clear the front of the net, though again, he will need to add more strength to play that style at the NHL level. Mitchell is a smart defender who takes advantage of his awareness to shut down the opposition.

Overall, Mitchell has all the tools needed to be an effective two-way defenseman at the game’s highest level. He will need to continue improving in his own end, which will mostly come from bulking up, but should be able to do so in the near future. Arguably the best thing about Mitchell is he really does not have any deficiencies other than his size, and even that is not a red flag. Mitchell is among Chicago’s brightest prospects and should be a long-term contributor to the future success of the franchise.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Mitchell is one of the Hawks’ best high-end right-handed defensive prospects. With Mitchell, Henri Jokiharju and Adam Boqvist, the right side of the Blackhawks’ defense should be set for a long time once they make the jump to the NHL. While Mitchell is projected to be a top-four defenseman, he could play on the third pairing in Chicago long-term, as Boqvist would likely occupy the right side on the top pair and Jokiharju would likely slot in on the second pairing. While Mitchell may not be able to develop into a high-end NHL defenseman as a result of the limited role, having three young, high-end, right-handed defensemen will be an excellent “problem” for the Blackhawks moving forward. Mitchell models his game after Duncan Keith, so if Mitchell can come anywhere near what Keith has been for the Blackhawks, he will be a home run for Chicago.

Timeline
Mitchell will return to Denver for this season, but if the Blackhawks like his development enough throughout the year, Mitchell could earn a contract and even finish the season in Chicago, similar to Blake Hillman, Mitchell’s defensive partner in Denver last season. While it is theoretically possible Mitchell could return to Denver for his junior year in 2019–20, this is not likely. Expect Mitchell to join the Blackhawks either late in 2018–19 or in the 2019–20 season.

Projection
Mitchell has the ability to be a good two-way defenseman on the second pairing at the NHL level, especially once he adds more muscle. He has nice upside and should be a solid, well-rounded defenseman capable of having a long and successful career.

What others are saying
“Mitchell is very good at starting the transition game. He can skate the puck out of dangerous areas and avoid the forecheck, before making a crisp pass to a teammate. He is especially effective at going for the long home-run pass to a streaking forward behind the defence. Mitchell is also effective at leading the rush himself. He can quarterback the play from the blue line, with the poise to control the puck, and the vision to make strong passes. He can also walk the line to open up shooting and passing lanes.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Sports

“Just a solid all-round poised defenseman in the making…is a mobile skater who makes strong decisions and can get up ice quickly when joining or leading the rush…makes great reads and heads up plays…shows impressive vision skating with his head up…makes accurate passes to his forwards at all ranges and velocity levels…owns a decent point shot that gets to its target regularly…plays physical despite his lack of size…can play a shutdown role effectively despite his lack of ideal size and strength…uses his smarts and instinctive play to defend…uses his body position well to box out players…cuts off angles to the net and gets his frame or stick into lanes to close them off…plays a mature defensive game and has the upside of a top four two-way guy.”
— Aaron Vickers/Future Considerations

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Ian Mitchell appeared first on The Rink.

Ian Mitchell and Blake Hillman attempt to defend Denver University’s 2017 National Championship, but have a tough test ahead. The Blackhawks prospects trying to unseat Hillman, Mitchell, and the rest of the Pioneers squad are Chad Krys of Boston University (Hockey East Champions), Ryan Shea and Dylan Sikura of Northeastern University, Dennis Gilbert of the University of Notre Dame (Big Ten Champions), Beau Starrett of Cornell University, and Evan Barratt of Penn State University.

Eight Blackhawks Prospects Vying For NCAA Championship

The Frozen Four tournament begins on March 23 with the Regional semi-finals on March 23 and 24 and the Regional finals on March 24 and 25. The Regional final winners advance to the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 5 with the National Championship taking place on April 7 at the Xcel Energy Center.

WEST REGION

No Blackhawks representation in the West Region, which has top-overall seed St. Cloud State take on Air Force and Minnesota-Duluth squaring off against Minnesota State.

EAST REGION

In the East Region, #2 overall seed Notre Dame takes on Michigan Tech, while Providence faces Clarkson. Big Ten champions Notre Dame and Dennis Gilbert look to advance to back-to-back Frozen Four’s after falling to eventual National Champion Denver last year in Chicago. This year marks Notre Dame’s 10th NCAA Tournament appearance as they look for their fourth Frozen Four.

NORTHEAST REGION

Things get really interesting in the tournament’s Northeast Region as Beau Starrett and #3 overall seed Cornell take on Chad Krys and Boston University in the Regional semi-final. Also, in the Midwest Region is the University of Michigan taking on Ryan Shea and Dylan Sikura of Northeastern University.

For Starrett and Cornell, this is the 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and their first back-to-back appearances since 2009 and 2010. Cornell has eight Frozen Four appearances in school history, but has not made the National Semi-Finals since 2003.

As for Krys and the Boston Terriers, this is the 36th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and their fourth trip in a row. Last season, Boston fell an overtime goal short of the Frozen Four as they lost to eventual National Runner-Up Minnesota-Duluth. Boston is attempting to reach their 23rd Frozen Four, with their last appearance coming in 2015.

Northeastern will be looking for their second Frozen Four appearance in school history with their sixth bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies have never won an NCAA Hockey National Championship with their only Frozen Four appearance coming in 1982. A lot of Blackhawks eyes will be on Northeastern as Sikura has become one of the most sought-after NCAA players over the last two seasons. Chicago drafted Sikura in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

MIDWEST REGION

Finally in the Midwest Region, the winner of #4 overall seed Ohio State and Princeton will face the winner of Evan Barratt and Penn State University versus defending National Champions Blake Hillman, Ian Mitchell, and the Denver Pioneers.

For Penn State, a program that joined the NCAA in the 2012-13 season, this marks the second NCAA tournament appearance in back-to-back years. Last season ended for the Nittany Lions at the hands of Denver University in the Regional Final. No doubt that Penn State will be looking for revenge, but it won’t be easy against a stacked Pioneers squad. Denver is making it’s 29th NCAA Tournament appearance and have made the tournament 11 years in a row dating back to the 2008 tournament. A powerhouse in NCAA hockey over the last decade and change, Denver has 16 Frozen Four appearances program history with back-to-back appearances in 2016 and 2017, winning their 8th National Championship last year in Chicago, defeating Minnesota-Duluth.

Another team that a lot of the Blackhawks community will be paying attention to as Pioneers freshman defenseman Ian Mitchell has garnered a lot of praise as a top-end defensive prospect. The Blackhawks drafted Mitchell in the second round of last year’s NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NCHC Conference All-Tournament team as Denver defeated St. Cloud State.

How To Watch

Here is the full TV Schedule for the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament from USCHO.com:

East Regional

At Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, Conn., March 23-24

• Friday: Notre Dame vs. Michigan Tech, 3 p.m., ESPN2

• Friday: Providence vs. Clarkson, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

• Saturday: Friday winners, 6 p.m., ESPNU

West Regional

At Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, S.D., March 23-24

• Friday: St. Cloud State vs. Air Force, 4 p.m., ESPNU

• Friday: Minnesota State vs. Minnesota Duluth, 7:30 p.m., ESPN3

• Saturday: Friday winners, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Northeast Regional

At DCU Center, Worcester, Mass., March 24-25

• Saturday: Cornell vs. Boston University, 1 p.m., ESPNews

• Saturday: Michigan vs. Northeastern, 4:30 p.m., ESPNews

• Sunday: Saturday winners, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Midwest Regional

At PPL Center, Allentown, Pa., March 24-25

• Saturday: Ohio State vs. Princeton, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

• Saturday: Denver vs. Penn State, 7 p.m., ESPN3

• Sunday: Saturday winners, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

Frozen Four

At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minn., April 5-7

• Thursday, April 5: West Regional winner vs. Midwest Regional winner, 6 or 9:30 p.m., ESPN2; Northeast Regional winner vs. East Regional winner, 6 or 9:30 p.m., ESPN2

• Saturday, April 7: Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

The post Eight Blackhawks Prospects Earn Bids To NCAA Frozen Four Tournament appeared first on The Rink.

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference released its All-Rookie team for the 2017-18 season this afternoon which included Chicago Blackhawks prospect Ian Mitchell.  Mitchell was drafted in the second round of last year’s draft and has been playing his freshman year in college hockey with the Denver Pioneers.  Here’s what the NCHC had to say about Mitchell:

“Also on the All-Rookie Team blue line is Mitchell, who racked up 16 points, including 14 assists, in 24 conference games. Ten of his 14 helpers came on the power play, while the Chicago Blackhawks draft pick blocked 36 shots, fired 40 shots on goal and ended with a +8 plus/minus.”

Your 2017-18 #NCHCHockey All-Rookie Team

: https://t.co/WwfVsotKzf pic.twitter.com/7sAFG6c4ta

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 6, 2018

In 34 games played, Mitchell has two goals and 20 assists, 10 coming on the power play.  He has been a big part of the first unit with top prospects Henrik Borgstrom, Dylan Gambrell, and Troy Terry.  Mitchell replaced senior Will Butcher who won the Hobey Baker Award last season and now plays with the New Jersey Devils.

The Pioneers begin the NCHC playoffs this weekend as they take on the Colorado College Tigers in a best of three series at Magness Arena.  The Pioneers are ranked No. 4 in the USCHO poll.

The post Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Ian Mitchell Named to NCHC All-Rookie Team appeared first on The Rink.

The road to professional hockey is unique to every young player.  Some have been on a track of attending the best amateur hockey schools all of their lives and others become late bloomers who develop somewhere along the line.  Regardless of who you are or where you came from, the road is difficult and taxing on these young men and their families.

Ian Mitchell is a defenseman for the University of Denver Pioneers and his road too is unique.  Ian is from Calahoo Alberta, population 197.  Hockey is in his blood.  His uncle, Roy Mitchell, was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1989 and played pro hockey for 12 seasons.  His father, Bill, also played and coached Ian and his brother Sean growing up in Calahoo.

As teenagers, some hockey players choose to leave home to pursue their careers in junior leagues across North America.  Mitchell was drafted to the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League and the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey league.  Ultimately, Mitchell decided to play his bantam hockey with the Spruce Grove Saints, just 30 minutes from his home in Calahoo.

Because of the opportunity to continue his education and play hockey for a prestigious program like the University of Denver, Mitchell decided to go the college route and hasn’t looked back.  With eight points in ten games, he’s thriving on the top-ranked college hockey team in the country.  And to top it off, he was drafted to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Ian Mitchell leads NCAA freshmen with 7 power play points #DU1NATION pic.twitter.com/hXtbiSSeTt

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 12, 2017

The-Rink had the opportunity to speak with Ian’s father Bill to talk hockey, family, and also get the scouting report on Ian’s younger brother Sean.

Interview with Bill Mitchell

What’s it like being a hockey dad and watching your son Ian be so successful at a young age?

Bill Mitchell:  Because my brother and I grew up playing the game, it was just natural that my kids followed in our footsteps.  It’s pretty special in a sense that I’ve been able to teach them both skating.  I was their power-skating instructor for many years so I’ve taught them that.  It’s been fun following them through their whole process as they go.  

What’s it like being the coaches son, Sean?  More pressure or less pressure?

Sean Mitchell:  Maybe a bit of both.  If you do well you’re rewarded, but if you mess up you have to come to the bench and try not to make eye contact.  Just get in line (laughs).

Montgomery on Ian Mitchell:

“He’s a coaches dream. He’s prepared every day and he wants to get better. He has a great compete level”

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) October 26, 2017

What was it like coaching Ian?

Bill Mitchell:  Where we were in the little town of Calahoo, there’s about 200 people that live there.  I ended up going out there so we moved there. There weren’t a lot of coaches and the team had only 24 kids.  It was also hard having so much diversity on the team.  There were some kids that could hardly skate where Ian was and it was tough to get them progression.  A lot of kids nowadays are going to these specialty schools.  Families are paying a lot of money but I’m a firm believer in just getting on the ice and getting your skills developed.  When you’re young, get your feet, get your hands, and get your head up.  So yeah it’s paid off.  Both of these guys are pretty good at that, they’re smart players.  

Talk about how passionate hockey fans are in Spruce Grove.

Bill Mitchell:  Well that team in that area is a Junior-A team that has had a lot of success the last 15 years.  We support the team.  It’s quite a bit different than coming to a college game.  They’ll get maybe 800-900 fans max per game, but there’s a lot of different hockey there.  You can watch high-end Bantam, high-end Midget, Junior Tier-1, the University Golden Bears, and the Oilers.  There’s a lot of hockey to watch.  

What are your thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers and their recent slump?

It just hasn’t come together yet.  They’re having a tough time.  I think it’s going to start to show.  They won the last two games so hopefully it picks up.  That’s been our favorite team.

How did it feel the minute Ian was drafted and knowing the Mitchell name might be sewn on an original six jersey?

Well, it’s pretty exciting.  It’s funny because throughout the year, Darrell May (Blackhawks Scout) was always at Ian’s games.  He was always going to him after games and telling him, “You’re a Blackhawk.”  I had a pretty good feeling.  We knew he wasn’t going to be a first-rounder.  In all honestly, I think it was better to go below that because the eye isn’t on you all the time.  And it gives you an opportunity to develop.  But we were watching that number 57 spot and we thought OK.  But when the Blackhawks took Henri Jokiharju, we thought because he’s a right-handed puck-moving defenseman what are the chances they’re going to take Ian?  But when it happened it was pretty special.  Ian jumped sky high, he was so excited to go to that team. 

How hard was it for you watching Ian go off to college?

Bill Mitchell:  We actually had a unique situation.  He was drafted by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL so he went down there and checked it out.  But with his academic prowess with school, we thought we should wait and see what happens.  We got lucky because Spruce Grove is 20 minutes from our house.  It’s been tough on all of us as a family because we’re very tight, but it was better than him moving at 16 to go to Brandon.  We like to come down to Denver as much as we can, but it’s not cheap to fly. 

Lastly, give us the scouting report on Ian’s younger brother Sean Mitchell.

Bill Mitchell:  He’s a heads-up hockey player.  He skates very well.  He needs to get more bulk and strength but when it comes to play-making he’s very good.  You might see him down the road, he’s got to keep working at it.

You can follow Ian and Bill on Twitter at @IanMitch15 and @Bill_Mitchell10

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