During the five-day event, the Blackhawks’ prospects were able to scrimmage the Wild prospects  twice and practiced three times.

Among the notable Blackhawks prospects participating were Nolan Allan, Evan Barratt, Colton Dach, Mike Hardman, Alec Regula and Lukas Reichel.

On Friday night, the Blackhawks fell to the Wild 3–2 in regulation. In game two on Sunday, the Blackhawks also fell to the Wild, losing 4–3 in a shootout. On Sunday, the Blackhawks got goals from Andrei Altybarmakyan, Barratt and Michel Teply. The Teply goal was assisted by Reichel.

Lukas Reichel sets up Michal Teplý for a goal to put the Blackhawks ahead 3-2. pic.twitter.com/1NAj52n5Fn

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 19, 2021

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Winners of the showcase

Lukas Reichel

Despite not winning either of the two games, it appears Reichel was the overall winner. Despite being drafted as winger, Reichel looked comfortable at the center position having played there in Germany. His skill and playmaking stood out among the prospects featured in the scrimmages. Despite being a relative long shot to make the NHL club—though he could at least earn a brief look—Reichel has entered the conversation of a possible NHL debut this season.

Rockford IceHogs coach Derek King on Lukas Reichel: “He’s a player. It was fun to watch him. … This kid, just his skill level is just that much higher than a lot of our draft picks or a lot of free agents or a lot of kids I’ve seen around the organization.”

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 20, 2021

Alec Regula

Regula, a defenseman, acquired in the Brendan Perlini trade with Detroit, spent the majority of last season in Rockford. After a short three-game stint with the Blackhawks, it appears Regula worked hard in the offseason to smooth out some of his rough edges. Current IceHogs head coach Derek King had glowing remarks for how Regula played over the weekend.

King on Alec Regula: “Probably one of the best players on the ice every game, the two games he played. He controlled the play. His skating has improved. His thought process is a lot quicker. His shot has improved. He just looked really good.”

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 20, 2021

Regula figures to be in the mix for a bottom-pairing defensive spot when the NHL season opens.

Other notables

Barratt had a solid two-game showing with his physical play and some scoring touch. It will be interesting to see if his game continues to develop this season, very likely in Rockford.

Arvid Soderblom was the goalie in net on Friday. He appears to be a development prospect after signing a two-year contract with the Blackhawks following a productive career in Sweden. The 6-foot-3 goalie figures to be in mix between Rockford and the Indy Fuel for ice time.

With training camp starting on Thursday, stay tuned to The Rink for all your Blackhawks news.

The post Blackhawks’ prospects square off against Minnesota in Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase appeared first on The Rink.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michal Teply

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cole Moberg

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alexis Gravel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kirby Dach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alex Vlasic (2.833)

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

The Blackhawks selected Wilmette, Illinois, native Alex Vlasic in the second round in 2019. Vlasic will play at Boston University in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of Hickling Images)

Alex Nylander (3)

Nylander, who is the brother of William Nylander of Toronto and son of former Blackhawk Michael Nylander, was acquired by Chicago earlier this summer from Buffalo in exchange for 2017 first round pick Henri Jokiharju. Alex was the eighth overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the majority of his time since then playing for the Rochester Americans in the AHL. The Calgary-born Swede possesses an undeniable amount of offensive skill and flair, but has been surrounded with questions about his intensity and desire. Nylander joins a growing list of recent reclamation projects for Stan Bowman, who hopes the Nylander experiment will turn out more like Dylan Strome than David Rundblad. Nylander’s style is clearly suited for a top six role, but, if he is unable to put his game together, could end up being more like Dylan Sikura has been recently in not quite being able to handle the top six load but also not fitting in as a bottom six player. Though the Blackhawks have a wealth of young talent on the back end, Nylander will need to prove his services were worth jettisoning Jokiharju, who seems primed for a lengthy career as a top four NHL defenseman.

Chicago acquired Alex Nylander from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Henri Jokiharju this summer. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Dominik Kubalik (3.167)

Kubalik joins Chicago’s organization for 2019–20 after being acquired in January from Los Angeles in exchange for a fifth round pick. Originally a 2013 seventh round pick of the Kings, Kubalik tore up the Swiss National League in 2018–19, leading the league with 57 points in 50 games. The Czech Republic native will look to translate his production to North America, where he has not played since 2013–14 in the Ontario Hockey League. Kubalik has been a mainstay on Czech teams at international tournaments, including representing his country in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The 6-foot-2, 179-pound winger also enjoyed a breakout showing at the 2019 World Championships, scoring six goals and adding six assists in 10 games. Kubalik, who is on a one year contract with the Blackhawks, is expected to be in Chicago’s lineup this season. While he could become a standout player if he is able to produce as he did in Switzerland, Kubalik will likely be more along the lines of this year’s Dominik Kahun if he pans out, being someone who can play up and down the lineup and contribute offensively in a supporting role.

Dominik Kubalik will make his North American professional debut in 2019–20 after dominating the Swiss National League in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of Getty Images)

Philipp Kurashev (3.167)

Kurashev has been a pleasant surprise thus far in his development, quickly rising up the ranks in Chicago’s system. The Blackhawks drafted Kurashev in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and the Switzerland native has since done nothing but impress regardless of the level of play. In 59 games for the Quebec Remparts, he scored 29 goals and added 36 helpers for career best marks in both goals and points in his junior career. Kurashev particularly stood out on the international stage, with the World Junior Championships highlighting his showings for his country. A regular for Swiss national teams, Kurashev lit it up to lead the tournament with six goals in seven games and finished with seven points. Following his junior season coming to a close, Kurashev made the jump to Rockford, where he played three games for the IceHogs. Kurashev is expected to return to Rockford’s lineup for 2019–20, where he will likely be among the team’s go-to offensive weapons. Though Kurashev has not yet proven himself professionally, his development is trending in the right direction and it appears he could have a successful middle six role in the NHL down the road.

Philipp Kurashev will play in his first full professional season in 2019–20 after finishing last season with the Rockford IceHogs. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Chad Krys (3.333)

Like a couple of other players already covered in the series, Krys may be a player who would best be suited by moving to another organization. The offensive defenseman was once at the top of Chicago’s blue line prospects, but has since dropped down the list with the drafting of other high end defensemen who excel offensively. Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Krys spent three seasons playing at Boston University to continue his development. In his time as a Terrier, the Connecticut native posted 58 points in 105 games, including 20 points in 30 games last season as an alternate captain. Upon finishing his collegiate season, Krys signed with the Blackhawks and joined the Rockford IceHogs, playing nine games while tallying four assists. The 5-foot-11, 185 pound defender boasts strong skating and passing abilities, but would likely need to be paired with a reliable partner at the NHL level to cover for his defensive deficiencies. The majority of our panel believes Krys will become an everyday NHL player, but, as mentioned previously, his path would likely be easier in another organization. Krys will return to Rockford for the 2019–20 season on a stacked IceHogs blue line.

Chad Krys joined the IceHogs late in the 2018–19 season after spending three years at Boston University. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Jake Wise (3.5)

Wise is among the Blackhawks’ most intriguing forward prospects both because of his skill but also because of a seeming mystique around him. The Naples, Florida, native has missed time with injuries in each of his last two seasons—2017–18 with the US National Team Development Program and 2018–19 at Boston University—which has prevented him from showing what he is capable of when at full health. Once considered a potential first round pick option in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago scooped up Wise in the third round. Wise is hard to miss on the ice for that reason: He is good at making defenders miss. He uses his speed and high end stickhandling to elude defenders in tight spaces. Additionally, Wise is responsible defensively, which will help his cause as he moves up the ranks. While our panel was a bit mixed on Wise, his talent is undeniable, and, if he can stay healthy and progress in his development, could turn into a draft day steal in a middle six type of role in the future. The 5-foot-10 centerman will return to the Terriers for 2019–20.

Jake Wise will return to Boston University for 2019–20 looking to put together a full season after playing just 12 games last year. (Photograph courtesy of Boston University Athletics)

Alexis Gravel (4)

Gravel’s initial vote rating indicates a spot in the fourth tier, but upon reconsidering our tiers in terms of goaltenders, our panel decided Gravel was better suited for tier three, as the group believes Gravel will be in NHL blue paint in the future. Once considered a top goaltending prospect for the 2018 draft class, the Blackhawks snagged the German native in the sixth round after a somewhat disappointing 2017–18 season with the Halifax Mooseheads. However, Gravel has done nothing but impress since being drafted, putting together a breakout 2018–19 campaign with Halifax, posting a goals against average of 2.49 and save percentage of .913, both of which were career best marks. Gravel then upped his game in the postseason, recording a .917 save percentage in 23 games, guiding his squad to second place finishes in both the QMJHL’s President’s Cup and the Memorial Cup. Boasting massive size in the goal at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Gravel is still quick and tracks pucks well in addition to being technically sound. Though still relatively early in his progression, Gravel looks as though he could be among the better goaltenders the Blackhawks have drafted and developed in the 21st century. The right handed netminder will return to the Mooseheads in 2019–20.

Alexis Gravel will return to the Halifax Mooseheads for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

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

Our series continues today with tier four, defined as a prospect seen as a bottom-six or extra forward, third-pairing or extra defenseman or fringe goalie.

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

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

Evan Barratt (3.5)

The 2017 third-round pick was one of the players our panel had the hardest time coming to a consensus on. Some felt Barratt is capable of converting his offensive firepower at the collegiate level to the professional ranks for a middle-six role, while some felt he will be nothing more than a serviceable depth piece in the NHL. Either way, Barratt brings a combination of skill and sandpaper the Blackhawks could use in their lineup down the road. The Bristol, Pennsylvania, native will return to Penn State in 2019–20, where he ignited for 43 points in 32 games last season.

Evan Barratt will return to Penn State for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Penn State Athletics)

MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)

Since being acquired in the infamous trade that saw Marian Hossa’s contract dealt to Arizona, Entwistle has established himself as one of the Blackhawks’ most solidified prospects in terms of their future role. The 2017 third-round pick of the Coyotes has embraced the idea of being a bottom-six player at the NHL level and has adjusted his game to suit that role. After winning back-to-back OHL championships on the Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm and enjoying a breakout showing at the World Junior Championships, Entwistle will turn pro in 2019–20 to join what will likely be a youthful Rockford IceHogs lineup.

Guelph Storm forward MacKenzie Entwistle (left) battles for a puck at the Memorial Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier / CHL Images)

Aleksi Saarela (3.833)

Saarela joins the Blackhawk organization this season after spending the last two in Carolina’s system. Originally a 2015 third-round pick of the New York Rangers, Saarela was part of the trade that saw Eric Staal leave the Hurricanes at the 2016 trade deadline. Since then, Saarela has spent the majority of his time playing for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, where he and his team won the Calder Cup last season. Saarela’s big shot helped him score 30 goals in 2018–19, but he likely will not reach a level like that in the NHL. If Saarela wants to have a lengthy NHL career, it will likely need to be in a depth role. Saarela will be given a chance to crack Chicago’s opening night lineup, but is more likely to start the season in Rockford to adjust to the Blackhawks’ system.

Aleksi Saarela joins the Blackhawks organization for 2019–20 after winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers. (Photograph courtesy of Patrick Gorski / Icon Sportswire

Josiah Slavin (3.833)

Slavin was another polarizing player among our panel members. With votes as high as tier two, he clearly is a player who has quickly grabbed the attention of some panelists despite being a seventh-round pick in 2018. Slavin’s rise in the USHL over the last two seasons and showings at the Blackhawks’ development camps have led some to feel he has the tools needed to be a legitimate contributor at the NHL level, playing a simple, but effective, pro-style game. Slavin, who is the younger brother of Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, possesses a strong work ethic and displays leadership on and off the ice, which have helped his development thus far. The Erie, Colorado, native will head to play at Colorado College, where he will likely spend at least two years before turning pro. While he still has some developing to do, Slavin could very well turn out to be a diamond in the rough and have a successful NHL career, whether as a middle-six player or a depth option.

Josiah Slavin heads to Colorado College after splitting the 2018–19 season between Lincoln and Chicago in the USHL. (Photograph courtesy of Brad Repplinger)

Dennis Gilbert (4)

Gilbert is a perfect representation of a few players who our panel feels can be a solid NHL player, just likely not in a Blackhawk sweater. The Notre Dame product provides the physicality Chicago’s blue line pipeline lacks, but very well might not have a clear path to NHL ice time with all of the other young defensemen in the system who have higher upsides. Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Gilbert turned pro in 2018–19 after three seasons with the Fighting Irish. The Buffalo, New York, native played in 63 games for Rockford, where he racked up 14 points, to go along with one game for the Blackhawks. Our panel was in full agreement Gilbert has the tools to be a reliable and rugged stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, but most felt that would be elsewhere.

Dennis Gilbert tallied 14 points for the Rockford IceHogs in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Matthew Highmore (4)

Highmore is a bit of an interesting player in the group because of his circumstances. Most of our panel feels he has the tools needed to be an everyday bottom-six center in the NHL. However, injuries have hampered Highmore thus far in his career, washing out the majority of his 2018–19 season. The undrafted free agent signing played in 13 games for the Blackhawks in 2017–18, but managed just 12 games in 2018–19, all with Rockford. Despite his injury issues, Highmore has proven to be an effective scorer at the AHL level, posting 52 points in 76 games over two seasons with the IceHogs. Hopes are 2019–20 can be a fresh start for Highmore, but he will need to earn a spot in Chicago, as there is a slew of other players who could very well beat him out for depth roster spots.

Matthew Highmore enters 2019–20 looking to rebound from his injury-shortened 2018–19 campaign. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Kevin Lankinen (4)

The undrafted free agent signing came over to play in North America for the first time in 2018–19, splitting time with Indy in the ECHL and Rockford in the AHL. While he posted decent numbers with the IceHogs (2.50 goals against average and a .910 save percentage in 19 games), Lankinen took the world by storm for his native Finland in the World Championships, backstopping the Finns to the gold medal with sparkling numbers of a 1.50 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. His efforts quickly caught the attention of many in the Blackhawks’ fanbase, but he needs to show that ability on a consistent basis for an extended period of time for our panel to place him in a higher tier. Lankinen is expected to return to Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get a chance to show if he is truly the lights-out goaltender he was at the World Championships or if his heroics were just a flash in the pan.

The 2019–20 season will give Kevin Lankinen an opportunity to show if his heroic performance at the 2019 World Championships was his true self or just a flash in the pan. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Niklas Nordgren (4)

The 2018 third-round pick of the Blackhawks is an intriguing prospect because of his ability to score. However, his size is a bit of a question mark, as is his skating, which will definitely need to be improved if he wants to translate his production to the game’s highest level. Unlike the majority of prospects in the system, Nordgren has been limited in his participation in prospect camp over the past two summers, as he was injured early in the 2018 camp before being an off-ice participant in 2019. Nordgren has split time between HIFK’s main Liiga men’s team and the organization’s U20 team over the last two seasons. The Helsinki native tallied 26 points in 28 games between the two teams in 2018–19 and will return to HIFK for 2019–20. Nordgren’s development will be worth keeping an eye on, as he could become a scoring threat in the NHL if he pans out.

Niklas Nordgren combined for 26 points in 28 games in the HIFK organization in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of AOP)

John Quenneville (4)

The cousin of longtime Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, John was one of three prospects to receive an identical rating from each member of our panel. Acquired earlier this summer in exchange for John Hayden, Quenneville will enter camp looking to earn a full-time job in the NHL for the first time. The 2014 first-round pick of New Jersey played in 33 games for the Devils in his time with the organization, spending the majority of that time playing for the Albany Devils in the AHL. After racking up 39 points in 37 AHL games last season, Quenneville appears ready to take the next step, but might have a hard time grabbing a roster spot in Chicago. Regardless, Quenneville should be able to be a decent depth piece at the NHL level in the future.

John Quenneville joins the Blackhawks organization after being acquired from New Jersey this summer. (Photograph courtesy of Ed Mulholland / USA TODAY Sports

Michal Teply (4)

Teply will be another intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as his career progresses. Selected in the fourth round this June by the Blackhawks, the noted playmaker will come to North America to join the Winnipeg Ice for 2019–20 after being chosen fourth overall by the Ice in the CHL Import Draft. The Czech Republic product posted 21 points in various Czech leagues in 2018–19 before racking up six points in four playoff games for the Bili Tygri Liberec U19 team. Teply has been a mainstay on the Czech Republic’s international teams growing up, representing his country in various tournaments in each of the past three seasons. The big-bodied winger will need to work on his skating and adjust to the North American game, but, if he can do those things, seems like he can be a depth contributor in the NHL.

Michal Teply will head to North America for 2019–20 to play for the Winnipeg Ice. (Photograph courtesy of the IIHF)

Lucas Carlsson (4.167)

The 2016 fourth-rounder made the transition to North America in 2018–19, playing 69 games with Rockford and tallying 33 points, after a lengthy career in the Brynas organization in Sweden. While generally known to be an offensive defenseman, Carlsson is capable of holding his own in his own end. Of course, being part of an impressive blue line pipeline in the Chicago system, Carlsson might have a hard time cracking the Blackhawks’ lineup in the future. Multiple members of our panel believe he has the tools needed to be a regular depth defenseman in the NHL, but would likely only be able to realize that potential in a different organization. As one panelist noted, Carlsson feels a bit like Ville Pokka in the sense he might be too good for the AHL but never be able to make it in the NHL given the situation he is in. The Swede is expected to return to a stacked blue line in Rockford in 2019–20.

Lucas Carlsson posted 33 points for Rockford in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Tim Soderlund (4.167)

Soderlund’s skill set lends itself to a bottom-six role, which is likely what he would need to be in order to have an NHL career. While Soderlund has looked good at both ends in his time playing in Sweden’s SHL over the last three seasons, he has not stood out much at Chicago’s prospect camps since being selected in the fourth round in 2017, though that is not an end-all, be-all setting. Soderlund will join Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get his first taste of the North American game. Sometimes compared to fellow Swede Viktor Arvidsson, Blackhawks fans should be cautiously optimistic about Soderlund’s future. If he can translate his game to North America, he should have a chance to establish himself as a reliable depth player capable of chipping in offensively from time to time.

After spending his whole career in Sweden, Tim Soderlund will come to North America for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Ola Westerberg / Bildbyrån)

Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Once the “golden boy” of the Blackhawks’ prospect camps, Fortin has a well-known story that has led him to the professional ranks. Unfortunately for Fortin, it sometimes seems like he just is not getting the opportunity he needs to establish himself at the NHL level. After struggling with injuries in his first professional season in 2017–18, the undrafted free agent signing split time between Chicago and Rockford in 2018–19, posting consistent numbers at both levels. Fortin tallied three goals and three assists in 24 games for the Blackhawks and doubled his totals in 47 games with the IceHogs. Fortin has speed to burn, but the rest of his game will need to catch up to his feet in order to put it all together. Though there is still time for Fortin to earn himself a regular NHL job, he might be passed over for other options as time progresses. Fortin is another player who may be better off starting fresh in another organization to get the most out of his career moving forward.

Alexandre Fortin will look to grab a full-time roster spot in Chicago in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

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

Beaudin had an excellent return in two games this past weekend. Philipp Kurashev continues to pace the Quebec Remparts in scoring after three very good games. Mikael Hakkarainen and Josiah Slavin in the USHL also had strong showings this past weekend.

Kurashev and Hakkarainen are both showing they can dominate junior level talent. The two 2018 draft picks should be moving up to pro hockey next season to further their development. So far, these two look like the could be steals for their draft position. Beaudin also has showed well and could be a great value for Chicago in the near future.

NICOLAS BEAUDIN – DRUMMONDVILLE VOLTIGEURS – 1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS

After returning to game action for the first time since October 19th, Nicolas Beaudin had a great weekend both on and off the ice. Off the ice, Beaudin signed his first professional contract with the Blackhawks. He joins fellow 2018 1st round pick Adam Boqvist as the first two 2018 Chicago draft picks under contract. On the ice, Beaudin showed why Chicago selected him in the late part of the first round this past draft.

Excited to sign my first NHL contract with the @NHLBlackhawks . I would like to thank my friends, teammates, coaches and especially my family for their sacrifice, commitment and support. pic.twitter.com/gr7cZzRdlP

— Nicolas Beaudin (@NicBeaudin92) November 10, 2018

On November 9th against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Beaudin registered one goal and one assist, helping the Voltigeurs to a commanding 8-1 victory. Beaudin was the highest scoring defenseman for Drummondville during the contest.

Beaudin celebrates a goal after returning to action for the first time since mid-October. Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron

The following day, Beaudin picked up an assist against the Victoriaville Tigres. Despite adding to his excellent weekend on the scoresheet, Drummondville dropped the game 5-1 in Victoriaville.

Beaudin and the Voltigeurs return to action on Friday, November 16th in Gatineau, followed by Sherbrooke on Sunday, November 18th. The two games mark the second and third straight away games for Drummondville, who will play another three road games before returning home on November 30th.

PHILIPP KURASHEV – QUÉBEC REMPARTS – 3 GOALS, 3 ASSISTS

Kurashev had an incredible weekend for Québec. After being held off the score-sheet on November 6th, Kurashev made up for it in the following two games.

Québec’s first game of the trip against val-d’Or did not fair well for the Remparts, as they dropped the contest 8-4. However, Kurashev had a goal and two assists, which was a commanding performance for the 2018 4th round pick.  

The following game resulted in a huge win for Québec, taking down the Shawinigan Cataractes 7-2 in Shawinigan. Kurashev had another three point performance, this time, recording two goals and one assist. This game capped off two excellent games for Kurashev where he recorded six points (three goals, three assists).  

Kurashev and the Remparts return to action on Friday, November 16th against Shawinigan in Québec. They will remain at home as the Rimouski Océanic pay a visit on Sunday, November 18th.

MIKAEL HAKKARAINEN – MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS – 3 GOALS, 2 ASSISTS

Hakkarainen continued his now four game point streak over the weekend for Muskegon in back to back home games against Youngstown.

On November 9th, Hakkarainen recorded his first hat trick of the season, helping the Lumberjacks to a big 8-2 win over the Phantoms. Hakkarainen would also add on an assist to cap off the impressive four point performance.

Hakk-Trick! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/iHLa3VtCeo

— USHL (@USHL) November 10, 2018

Hakkarainen would tack on an assist the following day as Muskegon split the weekend series with Youngstown. The Phantoms won game two 4-3. Hakkarainen now has 17 points in only nine game for Muskegon. Muskegon sits six points ahead of the next closest team in the USHL eastern conference standings with two games in hand.

Jacks improve to 11-1 and win 8-2! #HakkTrick #HakkIsBack pic.twitter.com/urbJ8OTfBq

— Muskegon Lumberjacks (@MuskegonJacks) November 10, 2018

Muskegon returns to action on Saturday, November 17th against Cedar Rapids. With only one game next weekend, the Lumberjacks will play three games over the extended Thanksgiving holiday (21st – 24th) against Team USA and two games against Green Bay.

JOSIAH SLAVIN – LINCOLN STARS – 1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS

Despite going pointless in Lincoln’s first two games of the weekend, Slavin made his presence felt on Sunday, November 11th as he collected two assists against Tri-City. Slavin has now increased his point total to 14 for the season in 14 games.

Lincoln will play two games next weekend. Friday, November 16th they take on Sioux Falls in Lincoln. On Saturday, November 17th, the Stars take on the Waterloo Black Hawks in Waterloo. Lincoln will play a similar schedule to that of Muskegon during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Other:

• Alexis Gravel – Halifax Mooseheads – 1 Win
• Brandon Hagel – Red Deer Rebels – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
• Adam Boqvist – London Knights – 4 Shots on Goal

Keep up with The-Rink for extensive CHL/USHL coverage of Chicago Blackhawks prospects.

The post Blackhawks Junior Prospect Roundup: 11/6 – 11/11 appeared first on The Rink.

Defenseman Nicolas Beaudin is out indefinitely with a wrist fracture, as reported by the Drummondville Voltiguers. Beaudin was off to a hot start for Drummondville, collecting one goal and eight assists in nine games played this season.

Featured this week are two forwards and two defenseman. Forwards Philipp Kurashev and Mikael Hakkarainen were both major contributors for their teams. Defensemen Adam Boqvist and Jake Ryczek also had great weekends, contributing heavily on the scoresheet.

PHILIPP KURASHEV: 1 goal, 2 assists

Kurashev currently leads the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL in scoring through 16 games. Kurashev has five goals and 15 assists, two points better than the next Ramparts player.

Kurashev has been a pleasant surprise to this point for Quebec. The 2018 4th round pick continued his excellent start, collecting three points in two games against the Rimouski Oceanic.

Philipp Kurashev sending a shot on net on 10/28 against Rimouski. (Photo Credit: Jonathan Roy Photographe)

The 5’11” center picked up his lone goal of the weekend on Friday night in Quebec’s 3–1 win over Rimouski. Kurashev would follow that performance with two assists at home during Sunday night’s 5–2 victory. Quebec successfully swept the weekend’s action against Rimouski.

The Ramparts returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 31 against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Quebec is also in action on Friday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 4 against Victoriaville and Gatineau, respectively.

MIKAEL HAKKARAINEN: 3 assists

Hakkarainen has been solid since leaving Providence College to return to the USHL. In only five games thus far, Hakkarainen has collected nine points (three goals, six assists) helping Muskegon to an 8–1 record.

Hakkarainen began the weekend collecting all three of his assists against Team USA and helping Muskegon to a 7–2 victory on Friday evening. Hakkarainen, albeit only playing in five of Muskegon’s nine game thus far, is fourth on the team in scoring and only trailing the lead scorer by one point.

Muskegon is back in action on Thursday, Nov. 1 against Team USA and on Saturday, Nov. 3 against the Chicago Steel.

ADAM BOQVIST: 1 goal

The 2018 8th overall pick continues to shine in London, as he has now collected 11 points in 11 games this season. Boqvist entered Friday’s action with 10 points through 10 games—all assists—with five of those assists coming in the last two games.

In London’s lone game, Boqvist was able to establish a career first, scoring his first OHL goal against the Ottawa 67’s.

Monkey off the back @BoqvistAdam @NHLBlackhawks prospect finds his first career #OHL goal with a big move and backhand for @GoLondonKnights. pic.twitter.com/zSTTOurTf3

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 27, 2018

Boqvist showed off his offensive skill, going hard to the net and dancing past the defender. Boqvist has been on fire in his last three games and seems to be gaining momentum as the season carries on.

The London Knights return to action on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Flint Firebirds. London plays Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4 against the Owen Sound Attack and Kitchener Rangers, respectively.

JAKE RYCZEK: 1 goal, 2 assists

The 2016 7th round pick went into the weekend’s action on a two-game point streak, as the Halifax Mooseheads played a weekend home and home with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Ryczek kept his point streak alive, capping off the weekend with three points. Ryczek extended his streak to four games.

On Friday night, Ryczek collected one assist in Cape Breton, helping the Mooseheads to a 4–3 win. The assist marked Ryczek’s third straight game with an assist, giving him his seventh point of the season.

Saturday night’s action proved well for Ryczek, but not for the Mooseheads, as they dropped the tilt to Cape Breton 5–2. Ryczek’s goal and assist helped account for all scoring for Halifax in the loss. Ryczek’s eighth and ninth points of the season put him in a tie for sixth in scoring on Halifax. Ryczek is in a three-way tie with fellow defensemen Jared McIsaac and Justin Barron for sixth in scoring.

Honorable Mentions:

Alexis Gravel went 1–1 over the weekend as Halifax split the home and home with Cape Breton. Gravel is 9–4 with one shutout, a 2.93 GAA and a .911 save percentage this season. Gravel has stepped up big for Halifax early in the campaign and is proving that he is a prospect to watch for Blackhawks fans.

Other Prospects:

• Mackenzie Entwistle — 1 assist
• Josiah Slavin — 4 shots on goal

Signing News:

The Chicago Blackhawks announced the signing of Brandon Hagel to a three-year, max entry-level contract. The contract will pay $925K AAV.

Hagel has had a hot start to his season for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Hagel has 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 15 games, which seats him in third place on the WHL points list. Hagel adds some size to the Blackhawks’ prospect pool, which after the last two drafts, has lacked some size. He stands at 6’1” and weights 174 lbs.

Hagel is coming off an incredible weekend of his own, registering two goals and three assists in two games. Hagel had a two-goal outing against the Saskatoon Blades on Friday evening. Hagel followed that performance up by collecting three assists against the Kootenay Ice. Red Deer won both games by scores 4–3 and 8–5, respectively.

Red Deer will return to action for one game this upcoming weekend against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Signed on! Forward Brandon Hagel has inked a 3-year entry-level deal that runs through the 2020-21 season ($925,000/AAV).

The forward will continue to play for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL.https://t.co/uZaRk9IynS

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 30, 2018

Keep up with The-Rink for extensive CHL/USHL coverage of Chicago Blackhawks prospects.

The post Blackhawks Prospect Rundown: (10/26 – 10/28) Weekend’s Recap and Signing 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.

As the Blackhawks normally do, Groups A and B switched ice slots today, with Group B skating at 1 p.m. and Group A skating at 3 p.m. Both ice slots consisted of more drills and small-area games, similar to the opening day, though all of the drills and games were slightly different.

With a second day of skating, some players added to their strong Monday performances, while others made progress.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during Tuesday’s session:

• Jake Wise impressed yet again. He was very quick, both in his actions and decisions, and was intense and assertive. Wise has worked his tail off and it shows. He has been one of, if not the most noticeable player in the camp in my book. It seems he is playing with a chip on his shoulder, wanting to prove 30 teams wrong for not taking him sooner in the draft and showing he was deserving of being selected earlier. The early returns appear he is a steal for the Blackhawks, though it is obviously very early.
• Alexandre Fortin played with confidence. As Jeff mentioned yesterday, he seems to have regained his step and is playing with more swagger and assertiveness. I was impressed with his puck protection ability, as he regularly showed he was capable of blocking defenders’ sticks with his body and legs.
• Adam Boqvist again looked good, especially in terms of his skating and his stick, both offensively and defensively. In some one-on-ones and two-on-twos, Boqvist used his high-end skating to cover ice and keep forwards to the outside. Boqvist showed off his stick handling ability in a tight-area stick handling game, making a few nice moves around the player trying to knock the puck off his stick. When it was Boqvist’s turn to be the antagonist, he did a good job poking pucks off of sticks. He still has a long way to go physically, but his skill level is undeniable.
• Chad Krys had a much more positive day Tuesday. He almost appeared to be a bit too loose Monday, as he regularly lost the handle on the puck while stick handling and did not appear to play with much intensity. Tuesday, however, was significantly more promising. Krys was dialed in and it showed. He looked way more confident and composed than he did yesterday. One area during drills that stood out to me was his passing ability. In a long-range one-touch passing drill, Krys was making hard, crisp, tape-to-tape passes half the length of the ice.
• Philipp Kurashev was decent Monday and improved on day two. His skating ability was evident, as he was able to change direction well. He also made some nice plays with the puck in the small-area games. He has competed well and has not been hesitant to use his body to his advantage in puck retrieval and protection.
• Nicolas Beaudin was overshadowed during the first day by Boqvist and Ian Mitchell, but stood out more on day two. He has spent much of the calendar year focusing on his defensive game, and it shows. He did a good job keeping forwards in front of him and keeping a tight gap.
• Tim Soderlund again played with high intensity and compete level Tuesday. He is a hard worker and showed good hockey smarts. At one point, he took a forearm to the face and appeared to be shaken up, but jumped right back in line and put forth a good effort.
• Soderlund and Mathias From appeared to have good chemistry. The two enjoyed being partners in drills and played well off each other.
• John Dahlstrom stood out again with his size and offensive ability. Though only listed as being 6’0” and 189 pounds, Dahlstrom played bigger, using his frame to cause havoc in the small-area games. He also showed off his shot, cleanly beating goaltenders with his wrist shot on a few occasions.
• Josiah Slavin again showed his offensive ability for the second day, showcasing his great release and edge work. He has been great in one-on-one and two-on-two rushes both days so far. Slavin has regularly beat goaltenders clean with his shot.
• Mathew Robson, a free agent invite goaltender from the University of Minnesota, made his camp debut today.
• Niklas Nordgren did not skate Tuesday. No word on his status. He did not appear to be injured during yesterday’s skate.

Check out photos from Days 1 & 2 here:

The post Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Day 2 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.

Next on the list at 2nd is right wing Andrei Altybarmakyan of SKA St. Petersburg.

Andrei Altybarmakyan
2017–18 Team: SKA St. Petersburg (Russia)
Date of Birth: August 4, 1998
Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, Russia
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 183 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: RW
Acquired: 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 3rd round, 70th overall

Perhaps the best of the Blackhawks’ Russian prospects is winger Andrei Altybarmakyan. Though his name is a mouthful and he was a widely unknown prospect at the time of the 2017 draft, Altybarmakyan has shown why the Hawks felt he was worth taking a shot on.

Altybarmakyan has spent the majority of his career thus far playing in the junior and second-tier leagues in Russia, though he did get a brief stint in the KHL last season. Altybarmakyan is expected to compete for a full-time spot on SKA St. Petersburg’s KHL roster this season.

Although not setting the world on fire last season while in Russia, Altybarmakyan looked good playing for Russia in the 2018 World Junior Championships. Though recording one goal and two assists in the tournament, he was one of Russia’s more dangerous players throughout the tournament.

Altybarmakyan possesses elite offensive ability. He has excellent stick handling ability and a top-notch shot. He has good power on his highly accurate wrist shot, which he is able to get off very quickly. Altybarmakyan is also a gifted passer, as he has excellent vision and awareness on the ice.

Skating is another big strength for Altybarmakyan. He is a relentless skater who loves being in the play. Despite not being overly big, he is not afraid to use his skating to get to the front of the net. Altybarmakyan has the speed to beat defenders to the outside and the good edgework to make his way back to the middle of the ice for a scoring chance.

Altybarmkyan has good leadership ability as well, as he has been a captain or alternate captain for his team at various stages throughout his career. His persistence is a good example to his teammates.

Though not necessarily a liability, Altybarmakyan needs to improve his defensive game, as he is currently considered to be an offensive type of player. He would also benefit from adding some strength to help round out his game and withstand regular contact.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Altybarmakyan gives the Hawks high-end offensive skill in their prospect pool, something largely lacking in recent years. If he can put the pieces together once in the NHL, he could be an excellent addition to the Blackhawks with sky-high offensive upside. Who knows, maybe he could even have some magic with Patrick Kane down the road, similar to Artemi Panarin. If Altybarmakyan can be anything remotely close to Panarin, he will be a huge win for the Hawks.

Timeline
While Altybarmakyan has one year remaining on his contract with SKA St. Petersburg, he will likely stay in Russia for longer than that to continue his development. He needs to continue adding strength and needs to improve his defensive game before being ready for the NHL. Altybarmakyan likely will not be ready for NHL action until at least 2021–22.

Projection
Altybarmakyan has the high-end offensive ability needed to be a top-six winger capable of putting up points. He will need to round out his game to get an opportunity to prove himself, though.

What others are saying
“He’s a real electrifying-type player. His skill set is, he’s got great speed, offensive skill, he’s a competitive guy too, he’s not afraid to throw some body checks. He plays an up-tempo style. He’s maybe a little bit off the radar for some people, but we were very impressed with him. I think he’s got a chance to be a real special player.”
— Stan Bowman/Chicago Blackhawks General Manager

“Projects as a top six, offensive forward. If he can shore things up on the defensive side, the sky’s the limit as his offensive skills are already elite for his peer group. … Tenacious around the puck, Altybarmakyan will be a great addition to the Blackhawks as he brings the ability to make plays at full speed and looks good both shooting the puck as well as dishing it off.”
— Tony Carr/Dobber Prospects

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Andrei Altybarmakyan appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 3rd is left wing Tim Soderlund of Skelleftea.

Tim Soderlund
2017–18 Team: Skelleftea (Sweden)
Date of Birth: January 23, 1998
Place of Birth: Skelleftea, Sweden
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 163 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: LW
Acquired: 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 4th round, 112th overall

Tim Soderlund is looking more and more like an outstanding selection for the Blackhawks. Originally passed over in his first-year eligible draft year, the Hawks moved up in the fourth round to pick Soderlund as an over-ager. Since being drafted, all Soderlund has done is make the Blackhawks scouting staff and management look brilliant. He has continued to develop playing in the SHL, looking at home against the high-level men’s competition. Soderlund also starred for Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Soderlund is a relentless skater. He possesses high-end top speed, which makes him very difficult to contain. He is light on his feet and can dance in and out of traffic. Soderlund uses his skating to be a constant threat, whether on the rush or once established in the offensive zone. His speed also allows him to be highly effective on the forecheck.

Shooting is probably Soderlund’s best offensive skill. His wrist shot is accurate and has a great release and good power. His snapshot is also very effective, as he can get the shot off in a hurry and surprise goaltenders with how quickly it gets to the net.

While not deemed to be a playmaker, Soderlund has good vision and hands, allowing him to be a good passer. He is patient with the puck and is capable of waiting out defenders for lanes to open up. Soderlund is smart with the puck and makes good choices, especially in the offensive zone, usually leading to high-quality scoring chances.

Soderlund is very responsible defensively and is a go-to player on the penalty kill thanks to his tireless work ethic. His excellent skating allows him to cover a lot of ice and get into shooting and passing lanes.

Overall, Soderlund appears to be a consummate depth forward who can do it all. He has enough offensive ability to be a constant threat in the offensive end, is incredibly reliable defensively and can skate seemingly forever. Soderlund has made big strides in his development over the last few seasons and looks to be a budding two-way player. Soderlund has all the tools needed to be an effective NHL player for a long time.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Soderlund seems like a big win given the Hawks grabbed him in the 4th round. He should be a safe bet to be a third line player for the team for a long time once making his debut. Soderlund brings a solid all-around speed game the Blackhawks are lacking. His addition to the lineup, whenever that may be, will be welcomed.

Timeline
Soderlund signed a one-year contract with Frolunda, so the soonest he could come to North America would be 2019–20. He would likely benefit from at least one year in Rockford as well to adjust to the North American game and to continue developing physically, as his size is his one big knock. Do not expect to see Soderlund in a Blackhawks sweater until 2020–21.

Projection
Soderlund looks like he will become an excellent third line player at the NHL level. His toolbox has everything an ideal third liner would have: speed, sound defensively, contributes offensively, reliable, consistent. While he likely will not be as productive as Viktor Arvidsson, who many compare Soderlund to, he should still be a nice piece to the Blackhawks’ forward group in the future.

What others are saying
“Very speedy skater with excellent work ethic. Söderlund is rather shifty and plays with plenty of intensity. Has a decent scoring touch, but can also be used as a role player with his speed and forechecking skills. A great character and team player.”
— Elite Prospects

“Soderlund was outstanding for team Sweden throughout the WJHC tournament but especially in the final game against Canada. With the world watching, he showed off his tremendous speed time and again, using it as a weapon especially while killing penalties. Soderlund scored Sweden’s only goal of the game while shorthanded, prompting TSN analyst, Ray Ferraro to comment about how it is inevitable that he will play in the NHL for the Blackhawks, even if all he does is kill penalties. Named the Swedish player of the game, Soderlund’s stock is definitely trending upward.”
— Tony Carr/Dobber Prospects

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Tim Soderlund appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 4th is center Maxim Shalunov of CSKA.

Maxim Shalunov
2017–18 Team: CSKA (Russia)
Date of Birth: January 31, 1993
Place of Birth: Chelyabinsk, Russia
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 216 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
Acquired: 2011 NHL Entry Draft, 4th round, 109th overall

Maxim Shalunov’s NHL future has been a long time coming. After time in Russia’s junior league, he gave North America a shot in 2013–14, splitting time with Rockford and Toledo in the ECHL. He saw more success in Toledo, tallying 18 goals and 16 assists in 43 games, compared to just four assists in 20 AHL games. Despite the mixed results, Shalunov returned home to Russia for 2015–16, where he has been ever since. He has developed into a big-time player in the KHL and looks to have all the tools needed to be a skilled offensive contributor in the NHL.

Shalunov is a good skater for being a big guy. His leg strength gives him a powerful stride. Shalunov is very good at changing directions quickly. He can stop on a time and cut to the middle of the ice to increase his angles. Shalunov is able to beat defenders to the outside with his speed and cut to the goal with his edgework.

Shalunov possesses a high-end shot with an excellent release and great accuracy. He can beat goaltenders with his shot from the outside as well, as he has pretty good power on his shot. Shalunov’s go-to shot is definitely his wrist shot. His shooting ability allows him to be dangerous on the power play.

Despite being a high-end offensive talent, Shalunov is also very reliable in his own end. He has been regularly relied upon to kill penalties in the KHL and has even been able to produce offense while short-handed as well.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Shalunov would be a big add for the Hawks if he comes to North America. He would finally give the team much-needed size up front, especially at the center position. It would be interesting to see how he would fit into the lineup, as he is a top-six type of player. But, with Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz seemingly holding down the top two center spots for the foreseeable future, Shalunov may need to move to the wing or play on the third line. Shalunov has also been a winger at times in his career, so he could instead slot in on the wing for a top-six opportunity. Another thing to consider is the fact Shalunov would be required to be signed to a one-year entry level contract given his age, so, if things do not go well for him in Chicago, he could be gone after one season in the NHL.

Timeline
As reported by Scott Powers of The Athletic, Shalunov hopes to come to the NHL after his current KHL contract is up. The contract, a three-year deal signed prior to the 2017–18 season, will expire after the 2019–20 season, meaning Shalunov would join the Blackhawks for the 2020–21 season.

Projection
Determining Shalunov’s NHL potential is a bit tricky. On one hand, he has shown he can be a high-end offensive player in the KHL, to the point where he could be a legitimate top-six option in the NHL. On the flip side, Shalunov’s production was more or less non-existent during his time in Rockford. Obviously with the NHL being a better league than the AHL, some concerns could be had with his lack of production with Rockford. Another factor is Shalunov’s age. He will be 27 years old entering the 2020–21 season. He likely would need some time to get acclimated to the North American game, which may limit his production at the beginning of his NHL career. Considering all of the factors, Shalunov should be able to be a middle-six forward in the NHL when he comes over.

What others are saying
“Shalunov has a combination of skills and size and plays a direct style that fits the North American game. He likes to play the off-wing and likes going to the net. He is pretty effective in doing this and has the skills to protect the puck with the goal scoring ability to beat opposition goalies.”
— Hockey’s Future

“He brings a lot to the table. He’s a big kid. (He has a) great skillset and his skating has come along over the last couple of years.”
— Stan Bowman/Chicago Blackhawks General Manager

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Maxim Shalunov appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 5th is defenseman Chad Krys of Boston University.

Chad Krys
2017–18 Team: Boston University (NCAA)
Date of Birth: April 10, 1998
Place of Birth: Ridgefield, CT
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D
Acquired: 2016 NHL Entry Draft, 2nd round, 45th overall

Chad Krys is among the most skilled defensemen in the Blackhawks’ system. He is a high-end skater and puck-mover who excels in the offensive end. Krys has had his fair share of ups and downs during his career, but has been making strides in his development while at Boston University.

As a sophomore in 2017–18, Krys played on BU’s top pairing. He was relied on in many roles, including time on the penalty kill and a go-to power play quarterback on a loaded Terrier squad. Given his high-end offensive ability, Krys thrived with an expanded role, registering seven goals and 20 assists in 36 games last season after posting just five goals and six assists in 39 games as a freshman.

Skating is an obvious strength for Krys. He enjoys jumping into the rush and does not mind carrying the puck himself. His speed and agility allow him to be a threat in transition. Krys is seemingly always moving his feet, making him an even larger threat in the offensive zone, as he can jump into open spaces on the ice to become an option for his teammates.

While not overly powerful, Krys’s shot is pretty effective because of his accuracy. He is very good at getting pucks through traffic and on net, often generating rebound opportunities for his teammates. Krys generally relies on his wrist shot the most since he can get it off much quicker than his other shots.

Krys also possesses excellent vision and good passing ability. These traits make him an outstanding power play quarterback, as he can read the defense and break it down with smart passes. Krys is generally a pass-first type of player in the offensive zone.

Leadership is another strength for Krys, as he has served as a team captain at various levels, including being named as one of BU’s alternate captains for the upcoming 2018–19 season.

Krys’s defensive game is a work in progress. He needs to become more reliable in his own end to take the next step in his development. Krys can sometimes look lost in his own end, which can lead to defensive breakdowns.

Another thing Krys needs to do to continue his development is add muscle. While he is not necessarily tiny, he could benefit from bulking up more to withstand NHL contact. Added strength would also help him be more effective defensively, especially in terms of clearing the front of the net.

Implications for the Blackhawks
With the Hawks loading up on right-handed defensemen the last couple of years in the draft, Krys may be able to balance things out on the left side. Krys plays the type of game the Blackhawks are seeming to want in their defensive prospects: skilled, offensively minded and puck-moving. Krys has his flaws, but he looks to be a prospect capable of being a part of the team in the future. He would likely fit in on the second or third pairing down the road, as he will likely have at least 2018 draftee Nicolas Beaudin ahead of him on the depth chart in the future.

Timeline
Krys will be returning to Boston University in the fall for his junior season. If the Blackhawks deem he is ready to make the transition to pro hockey after that, he may be signed at the conclusion of his college season or next summer. Or, he and the Hawks may opt to have him spend all four years in college first prior to signing his entry level contract. Either way, Krys will likely need some time in Rockford as well to get used to being a pro defenseman. Do not expect Krys to wear a Blackhawks sweater until at least 2021–22.

Projection
If Krys is able to round out his game and be a consistently reliable defender, he has the upside to be a second-pairing defenseman in the NHL, likely also serving as a regular on the power play.

What others are saying
“He’s always been a really good, gifted player and had the puck an awful lot. But most kids as they climb the hockey ladder, they haven’t had to defend a lot because they’ve had the puck a lot. At the higher level you have to play both ends of the rink. He had better defense, particularly off the rush and he did a better job down low defending. He also did a better job getting involved offensively.”
— David Quinn/Boston University Head Coach

“Krys might be the most intriguing prospect in the organization right now. He’s not at the same level as Henri Jokiharju or Ian Mitchell on the ladder, but his raw skills remain so impressive that he’s putting up good numbers at BU and could blossom at any time. Nobody is more high-upside, high-risk in the farm system. The reasons to love Krys are obvious: He can skate and play with the puck as well as any college defenseman. But the problems have been similarly present for the past few years, including a lack of awareness away from the puck and question marks about his ability to defend in his own zone.”
— Satchel Price/Chicago Sun Times

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Chad Krys appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 6th is goaltender Ivan Nalimov of Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Ivan Nalimov
2017–18 Team: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia)
Date of Birth: August 12, 1994
Place of Birth: Novokuznetsk, Russia
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 209 lbs
Catches: Left
Position: G
Acquired: 2014 NHL Entry Draft, 6th round, 179th overall

Ivan Nalimov is among the more intriguing prospects in the Blackhawks’ system of late. Earlier this summer, he made his desire to come to North America known, but the Blackhawks have stated they are not ready to bring him over yet. This was an interesting decision for the team, as they clearly have question marks in goal, despite having a slew of goaltenders already under contract in Corey Crawford, Anton Forsberg, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen. The Blackhawks then signed Cam Ward in free agency, adding to the contingency in the crease. However, many feel the Blackhawks had nothing to lose by bringing over Nalimov and giving him a shot. If things did not work out, he could return to Russia or be dealt. But instead, Nalimov remains unsigned in Russia with a murky future with the Blackhawks.

Nalimov has a huge frame and uses it to his advantage. He likes coming out of the crease to cut down shooters’ angles. Nalimov enjoys moving in the net, but can sometimes get out of position doing so. He does not mind throwing his big body in the way of shots, using his aggressive style to stop the puck however needed.

Reactions and reflexes are perhaps Nalimov’s biggest strengths. He has come up with some highlight-reel saves thanks to his ability to flash his glove quickly to take away a goal or shoot out his legs to take away tap-in rebounds. Nalimov has robbed even the best of shooters in the KHL, as seen in the highlights below.

Nalimov is a battler in net, as he is very competitive. His competitiveness allows him to never quit on a play. His compete level combined with his reflexes has resulted in some marvelous saves over the years.

Overall, Nalimov has what it takes to be a good NHL goaltender. He undoubtedly has great size and his ability to move his body quickly with lightning-fast reflexes allows him to be very effective. Nalimov had his best season statistically of his pro career last season and is ready to take the next step.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Nalimov is an interesting case for the Hawks. The team brought him over briefly leading up to the 2016–17 season for a shot in training camp, but returned to Russia before the season began and has not returned since. As mentioned, he has expressed a desire to come to North America for a chance to play in the NHL. However, Stan Bowman has made it known the team does not feel it is the right timing yet. Nalimov asked for a trade earlier in the summer, as reported by Scott Powers of The Athletic, but Bowman does not appear to have much interest in that, at least at this time. Nalimov could potentially be an NHL option for the Blackhawks down the road, but it does not appear as though that will take place any time soon. It is difficult to predict what his future will be for Chicago, as there is a log jam of goaltenders already under contract in the system.

Timeline
Nalimov is ready for pro action in North America. He has spent the last four seasons in the KHL, so he already has a lot of high-level hockey under his belt. Nalimov wants to come over to North America, but if he is going to do that, the Blackhawks will need to trade his rights to another team. If Nalimov is not moved and stays in Russia for 2018–19, he could try to come over again for 2019–20.

Projection
Nalimov has proven he can be a solid goaltender in high levels of hockey. Whether or not he could become an NHL starter remains to be seen, but, if given an opportunity, Nalimov should be able to establish himself as an NHL goaltender.

What others are saying
“Nalimov is firmly back on the radar for the Blackhawks after a breakout 2017-18 season where he posted a dominant .938 save percentage in 23 KHL games. He can’t come over to North America for at least another year given he’s under contract in Russia but there’s a good chance the Hawks try to sign him in 2019 to see whether he can make it in the NHL. There’s always been a lot to like about Nalimov in terms of tools, including a 6-4, 209-pound frame, but this was the first season where he really put it together for an extended stretch.”
— Satchel Price/Chicago Sun Times

“There’s a lot we like about him. He’s a big goaltender. He’s very athletic. We think he really wants to come to North America. … We love the upside, and with goaltenders, it’s a lot with maturity, where they are.”
— Mark Kelley/Chicago Blackhawks VP of Amateur Scouting

For those interested in his technique, here is a look at Nalimov during warmups.

And a freebie: Nalimov making a huge save in a preseason game with the Blackhawks.

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Ivan Nalimov appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 7th is left wing Artur Kayumov of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Artur Kayumov
2017–18 Team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
Date of Birth: February 14, 1998
Place of Birth: Podgorny, Russia
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 176 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: LW
Acquired: 2016 NHL Entry Draft, 2nd round, 50th overall

For a while, it appeared as though Artur Kayumov may have been trending in the direction of being a bust. In the two-plus seasons since being drafted, Kayumov struggled at the professional level in Russia and even sustained a collarbone injury at the beginning of the 2017–18 season. But, Kayumov returned in time to play for Russia in the 2018 World Junior Championships and proved he is still worthy of consideration as a good prospect, as he registered five points in five games.

Kayumov plays a well-rounded game. He is best in the offensive end, particularly as a shooter. He has a quick, accurate shot. Kayumov is also an effective playmaker with good passing ability and vision. Though he has not put up big numbers since being drafted, he is generally a player who is around the play when goals are scored and plays in important moments of the game. During the World Juniors, Kayumov played on the power play and penalty kill and was a regular at the end of games.

Skating is Kayumov’s biggest strength. He has great speed and agility and uses his skating to create offensive opportunities for himself and teammates. This ability was notably on display at the World Juniors, where Kayumov was a difference-maker for the Russians.

Kayumov is also fairly reliable defensively, as he is good at getting in shooting lanes and does not cheat out of the zone for offensive opportunities. He leads by example on the ice and can be a valuable piece to his team in many ways.

2018–19 should be a good test for Kayumov, as he will likely spend the entire season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s KHL team. Thus far, Kayumov has bounced around in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s system, often playing in the MHL.

Kayumov’s biggest concern is his size. It was already a concern, but now with some injury history, that becomes an even bigger concern. He will need to bulk up to withstand NHL contact. Spending more time playing in the KHL should help him adjust to playing against men.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Kayumov still has time to prove he is worthy of eventually grabbing a spot on the Blackhawks roster. He has the offensive skill needed to play in the NHL and will likely just need to prove he is worthy of the opportunity. Additionally, Kayumov grew up as a Blackhawks fan, so he should have plenty of motivation to earn a chance to play in Chicago.

Timeline
Kayumov is under contract in Russia through the 2019–20 season, so the earliest he could sign with Chicago would be entering the 2020–21 season, where he may spend a year in Rockford to adjust to the North American game. If Kayumov is able to make the jump to the NHL, it would likely not be until 2021–22.

Projection
Kayumov’s offensive game makes him a top-six type of player, though he likely does not contribute enough to be worthy of a top-line spot. More realistically, Kayumov would be a middle-six winger who can chip in and create offense while not being a liability in his own end.

What others are saying
“The development of Kayumov, one of the few Hawks prospects with offensive upside, has been frustrating since he was drafted with the 50th overall pick in 2016. Injuries have limited his playing time in Russia, where he’s bounced between three different leagues. When he’s gotten on the ice, he hasn’t put up big numbers. But even with those hiccups in his progress, Kayumov remains one of the Blackhawks’ top prospects because of his abilities. The 20-year-old is one of the best skaters in the farm system and can use that to create playmaking opportunities.”
— Satchel Price/Chicago Sun Times

“Kayumov has excelled whenever he’s played against his peers whether in Russia or internationally. He’s usually among the best skaters on the ice. He likes to hold onto the puck and find openings in the offensive zone. He can put up points by scoring or distributing.”
— Scott Powers/The Athletic

Kayumov’s draft-day interview can be viewed below:
https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/video/draft-day-artur-kayumov/t-277437096/c-44288203

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Artur Kayumov appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 8th is center Evan Barratt of Penn State University.

Evan Barratt
2017–18 Team: Penn State (NCAA)
Date of Birth: February 18, 1999
Place of Birth: Bristol, PA
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 187 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
Acquired: 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 3rd round, 90th overall

Evan Barratt is an intriguing prospect because of the skills he possesses. Barratt is considered as a two-way player with decent offensive ability who is responsible defensively. The Blackhawks drafted him out of the US National Team Development Program, a team they enjoy frequenting. Barratt is one of eight players the Hawks have drafted from the team since 2010.

Barratt’s best offensive trait is his play making ability. He has great vision and hockey sense, allowing him to be an excellent passer. Barratt excels at finding teammates in prime scoring areas. He also has a very good wrist shot with an excellent release.

Barratt is a good skater who does not mind throwing his body around to cause havoc offensively. While not a player who focuses on his physical game, other teams are certainly aware when he is on the ice. He is a difficult player to play against and finds ways to get under the opposition’s skin.

Barratt showed off these abilities in a game against the University of Minnesota last season. Barratt and Ryan Lindgren, a prospect for the Boston Bruins, got into an altercation and received matching minor penalties. While the players were in the penalty box, Lindgren gave Barratt a piece of his mind. The majority of the time Lindgren was yelling at Barratt, Barratt mimicked a crying baby in response. When the two came out of the penalty box, Barratt leveled Lindgren with a huge, clean hit. Later in the shift, Barratt showcased his high-end shot with a perfectly placed wrist shot that hit the crossbar before going in the goal. Needless to say, it was quite the shift for Barratt.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Barratt could be a nice option for the Hawks down the road if he pans out. While he will likely not be a high-end scorer at the NHL level, he has the potential to be a reliable player who can chip in offensively in a depth role for the Blackhawks. He will need some time, but might be a nice option for the team in the future.

Timeline
Barratt needs to add more muscle to his frame to be ready for the NHL. He will continue his development at Penn State, where he will likely spend at least two more years before turning pro. Barratt would likely benefit from a year in Rockford as well before stepping into the Blackhawks’ lineup. With this trajectory, Barratt would not be in the NHL until at least 2021–22.

Projection
Barratt projects as a middle-six center at the NHL level, most likely in a third line type of role. Barratt’s sound two-way game and ability to play in all situations makes him an ideal third line pivot option.

What others are saying
“He gets things done. If he has to break down the front door to do it, he does that. He’s a great teammate, not so great to play against.”
— Mark Kelley/Chicago Blackhawks VP of Amateur Scouting

“One of the better two-way forwards in the (2017) draft in terms of having a complete understanding of duties and responsibilities in the defensive zone. A Keystone Stater from Bristol, he’s a very good playmaker who produces at both even strength and on the power play. Barratt is a hard-nosed, 200-foot center with excellent vision, but he can also throw his weight around and be relentless on the forecheck. Barratt was one of Team USA’s top point producers at even strength, but his elusiveness and soft touch during the man advantage enabled him to create plays against static zone defenses. He owns a ridiculous wrist shot, and he’s quick enough to escape from a board battle and fire a quality shot on net — one that goalies have a tough time handling from any angle. Finishing around the net could be an area he needs to work on, but he can wear a defender down to the point where he will get multiple opportunities all on the same shift.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Evan Barratt appeared first on The Rink.

Next on the list at 9th is defenseman Jakub Galvas of Olomouc in the Czech Republic.

Jakub Galvas
2017–18 Team: Olomouc (Czech Republic)
Date of Birth: June 15, 1999
Place of Birth: Ostrava, Czech Republic
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 168 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D
Acquired: 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 5th round, 150th overall

Jakub Galvas is a smooth-skating defensemen from the Czech Republic. The Blackhawks grabbed him in the 5th round in 2017, which was good value given he likely would have gone higher if he had a bigger frame, as he was ranked as the 26th-best European Skater by Central Scouting.

Galvas is best described as a smart, puck-moving defenseman. He excels in many areas of the game. Though a puck-mover, he is not overly productive offensively, as he registered just two goals and 11 assists this season.

Galvas has been a mainstay for the Czech Republic at international tournaments over the years, typically playing a large role for his team. He performed well at the 2018 World Junior Championships, tallying two assists in seven games. Perhaps the highlight of his on-ice career thus far has been his overtime game-winning goal in the Ivan Hlinka semifinals to send the Czech Republic to the gold medal game, where they would defeat the United States. Galvas assisted on the game-winning goal in the gold medal game.

During the 2016–17 season, Galvas became the first player to ever suit up against his father in a Czech Extraliga game. His father, Lukas, has spent over two decades playing in the Extraliga. The two were teammates this season, as Lukas joined Jakub on Olomouc.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Galvas gives the Blackhawks an intriguing project on the left side of the blueline. He has the ability to become a serviceable NHL defenseman, though would need to beat out the glut of other left-handed defensemen in the Hawks’ system for regular playing time.

Timeline
Galvas still needs to put on a lot of muscle before being considered a legitimate option at the NHL level in the future. Galvas will likely spend at least one or two more years in the Czech Republic before coming over to North America, where he would need at least a couple of years in the minors before making the jump to the NHL. If he joins the Blackhawks’ roster in the future, it likely would not be before 2021–22 or 2022–23 at the earliest.

Projection
Galvas is likely a hit-or-miss prospect. He has the upside of being a top-four defenseman but could also be kept from reaching that potential because of his lack of size. He does not necessarily stand out, but that really is not a big problem since he is effective, the most important trait for developing defensemen.

What others are saying
“Galvas does everything well on the ice but will need to pack on some weight to his undersized frame. Despite his lack of size, he does not shy away from the physical side of the game. … Don’t expect big offensive numbers but Galvas has the talent to be a top-four defender in the NHL.”
— Tony Carr/Dobber Prospects

“Jakub Galvas is very smart, fleet-footed two-way defenseman, who distinguishes with high productivity and dependable defending. He was also one of the best defenders in 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial cup, where he got 4 points. Elegant skater with lots of energy to burn. Not afraid to lay the body, or take a hit to make the play; can and will stand up for teammates. A decent powerplay guy too.”
— Joel Bergmann/DraftSite

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Jakub Galvas appeared first on The Rink.

Starting the list at 10th is goaltender Wouter Peeters of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League.

Wouter Peeters
2017–18 Team: Youngstown (USHL)
Date of Birth: July 31, 1998
Place of Birth: Turnhout, Belgium
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 205 lbs
Catches: Left
Position: G
Acquired: 2016 NHL Entry Draft, 3rd round, 83rd overall

Peeters is among the most intriguing prospects in the entire Blackhawks organization. His raw size and ability is remarkable, especially at the goaltender position, which got the attention of the Hawks and their scouting staff when they drafted Peeters in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

While many at the time felt taking Peeters in the third round was a stretch, his potential is incredibly high and could make what was considered to be a reach look more like a steal.

Peeters, the second-ever Belgian-born NHL draftee, spent three seasons playing in Austria for the Red Bull Academy, a U-21 travel team. Because of the team’s limited exposure not being a part of a league, Peeters was a bit of an unknown heading into the draft, especially in comparison to many of the other goaltender prospects.

Leading up to the draft, Peeters signed a two-year contract to play in Finland for Jokerit’s U-20 team to play at a higher level with better opportunity and quality coaching. After the first season of the contract, Peeters opted out of the deal to pursue playing in North America. Peeters’ USHL rights were owned by the Youngstown Phantoms, so he joined them for the 2017–18 season, posting a 14–11–3 regular season record in a 1B role.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Peeters could be the long-term solution for the Hawks in the future. He is still very raw, though, and will need a ton of time to reach his potential. But, given where the Blackhawks chose him in the draft, they are high on him and are expecting him to achieve that potential. Though he has high potential and the organization thinks highly of him, Peeters will not make an impact at the NHL level anytime soon. But, his potential and development will give Hawks fans something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Timeline
Though it has not been formally announced, Peeters will likely spend another season playing in Youngstown. Peeters is still considered to be a long-term project. If he can become an NHL goaltender, it likely would not be for a while. Unless Peeters makes massive progress in the next year or two, he likely will not reach the NHL until at least 2021–22 or 2022–23, though that could be the fast track. Hawks fans should keep in mind it took Corey Crawford eight years after being drafted to finally earn a full-time spot on the roster. Eight years after Peeters’ draft year would be 2023–24.

Projection
Peeters appears to have very good potential, but it remains to be seen if he will ever truly reach that potential. His size alone gives him an ideal modern-day NHL goaltender frame. He still has a lot of work to do, but it seems like the Blackhawks’ management has high hopes for Peeters. He could become an NHL starter or could toil in the minors his whole career. Only time will tell.

What others are saying
“(Wouter’s) strengths are his big size and passion to get better every day. He is very interested in his own development and he moves pretty well on his feet for a big guy. He has (developed) mentally during his stay in Finland and had to learn competing in practice every day to earn his playing time. It has been a big culture change for him compared to previous years but challenges will make him better. The potential is huge for Wouter and we have to remember that he started playing hockey at a pretty old age. Compared to Finnish goalies at the same age, he has less quality practice reps so as a goalie he is still really young. The sky is the limit for Wouter, but he has to be patient and work hard.”
— Mikko Tolvanen/Jokerit U-20 Goaltender Coach

“The obvious reason for hope with Peeters is the same as it was in 2016: He’s a massive presence in the blue paint. Peeters measures at 6-4, 224 pounds, and he’s built with a wide frame that’s prototypical of modern NHL goalies. The best netminders are also incredibly mobile and athletic in goal, however, and that’s where the Hawks prospect has had to put in the most work to improve his game. Peeters is still highly intriguing given he doesn’t turn 20 until July 31, but the past year hasn’t led to any grand revelation that he’s zooming to the big leagues. He remains a high-upside, high-risk goaltender prospect, just as he was 12 months ago.”
— Satchel Price/Chicago Sun Times

Highlights
Wouter Peeters Interview and Blackhawks Combine Highlights

The post Top 10 Unsigned Blackhawks Prospects: Wouter Peeters appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks have taken a step back at the NHL level, but their prospect pool is filling out nicely

With the amount of recent success the Chicago Blackhawks have had the last decade, there hasn’t been many high profile prospects coming up the system to be excited about.  The-Rink’s Jeff Osborn did a great job evaluating some of the draft picks the Blackhawks have made that shows an overall lack of development, especially on the back end.  But as the window closes on a great run of cup chasing seasons, the focus has become retooling a team that got old overnight.

The Blackhawks media and their fans have a tendency to get over-excited about the next big thing which will have to change in the coming years.  Players like 2017 1st round pick Henri Jokiharju will need all the time he needs to get his game adjusted to the pro level, and not thrown to the wolves because the Hawks need a defenseman.  But he isn’t the only player making strides.

The Blackhawks have done a fantastic job facilitating players up and down the ranks between Chicago, Rockford, and Indy this season.  I’ve harped on the lack of this kind of movement for a while and was happy to see players getting rewarded for their success.  Players like Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom had great seasons in the AHL, then got rewarded with NHL ice time.  We haven’t seen this in the past with guys like Ville Pokka or Mark McNeil who were players that hit a wall when it came to development.

On the flip side, John Hayden came down to Rockford to refine his game and get some valuable minutes in more key situations.  Matt Iacopelli did the same when he had a short stint in Indy.  Both players seemed to find value in the experience and were both productive.

As the NCAA season comes to a close, there are a few players that could sign pro and add to the competition in Rockford and Indy.  Whether top prospect Dylan Sikura signs or not, there will still be more depth added to this organization this summer.  And with the draft around the corner, the Blackhawks will finally be able to restock what has been sent away the last few seasons at the trade deadline.

If you look at the primary team needs for the Blackhawks, they need goaltending, centermen, and defenseman.  With Graham Knott getting his first full year of pro hockey under his belt, you have to hope he makes big strides next year.  He’s a big center that has some playmaking ability, but he hasn’t gotten comfortable at the AHL level just yet.  The Hawks have a handful of defenseman that could potentially be NHL players like Luc Snuggerud, Blake Hillman, and Chad Krys.  But assume to see all of them competing for spots next year in Rockford.  As for goaltending, free agent signing Colin Delia moved up the system pretty quickly and will probably be Rockford #1 starter next season.  They have a couple of other prospects but it’s foggy who will back up Corey Crawford next season.  The Hawks will most likely go to free agency to fill that void.

Overall, the Blackhawks look like they reevaluated their prospect pool and how they have to move going forward.  It will be interesting to see if and when they turn this roster over.  Who stays and who goes will also be a sign of the times.  Either way, this dreadful season is almost over and we can look forward to an offseason of growth.

The post Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Pool Making Positive Strides appeared first on The Rink.

We will now take a look at the defensemen and goalies drafted during the period of 2007 through 2017.

Like with part one, I compare Stan Bowman’s relative success when drafting players, by position, to his peers in the division. The only fair and objective metric is NHL games played. It is not a perfect measure of success, but it will provide a picture of what level of player development has occurred over the last decade.

Below are the defensemen that were drafted from 2007 through 2009, with Dale Tallon “officially” at the helm, but Bowman (assistant General Manager) and Mark Kelley (Vice President of Amateur Scouting) as co-pilots:

What does this list of players tell us? The Blackhawks drafted eight defensemen in three drafts. Two of those defensemen (25%) have played in the NHL, Dylan Olsen and Shawn Lalonde. We can debate the true success or talent of these players, but neither was anything to crow about. Quite frankly, I am surprised Lalonde got even one game of NHL ice time, and Dylan Olsen has been knocking around the ECHL this season.

That said, I want to be as objective as possible with this exercise. Relative to divisional rivals over the same period:

Minnesota was at 66%
Nashville was at 57%
Dallas was at 50%
St. Louis is at 63%

It does not take a math whiz to see that the Blackhawks were lagging behind the crowd, even before the first cup was won. Again, to be fair, these results are not totally Stan Bowman’s failure, but he certainly had his dirty hands deep in the mix.

Lets move on to the years that Bowman was the head honcho of the Blackhawks organization, 2010 through 2018:

The proof is in the pudding and sticks out like a sore thumb. The Stan Bowman led drafting and development team drafted 26 defensemen, five of which have ever seen the NHL ice (19%). Klas Dahlbeck (154), Stephen Johns (124), Adam Clendening (86), Michael Paliotta (2) and Justin Holl (2). Holl just played his first NHL game, on January 31st after toiling in college and the minors since 2010. This is not a list of accomplished future Hockey Hall of Famers.

To put it bluntly, this list is terrible.

Relative to his divisional peers over the same period of time:

Minnesota was at 18%
Nashville was at 25%
Dallas was at 25%
St. Louis is at 33%

Once again, while Stan Bowman was better than his predecessor, but still falls short of the alleged accolades which have proclaimed him as a great drafter and player developer.

If fingers need to be pointed at the now aging defense that have just as many questions today as they did in game one of the season, you can point them at the empty pockets this team has failed to refill with defensive talent.

In full disclosure, they have been better as of late. Players like Chad Krys, Henri Jokiharju and Ian Mitchell have shown a lot of promise. It should not have taken them eight years to figure this formula out, though. At this rate, they will have to unload one of these kids, or worse, to get out from under some of these crippling contracts that have handcuffed this team.

That, folks, is another subject for another series, though.

Just to complete the exercise, we can take a brief look at the goalies. If there is a position that is generally “hopes and prayers” when drafting young, under developed kids, goaltender would be that position.

Bowman and the Blackhawks have drafted eight goaltenders since 2007 and one has ever seem NHL ice. Some of you may remember the name Kent Simpson for his single period of play, in relief of Antti Raanta, during the 2013-14 season.

Then again, most of you may not.

Relative to his divisional peers over the same period of time:

Minnesota was at 28% overall, but 0 for 5 2010/17
Nashville was at 42% overall, but 3 for 8 2010/17
Dallas was at 22% overall, but 2 for 7 2010/17
St. Louis was at 25% overall, but 1 for 6 2010/17

In ten years, the Blackhawks have not been able to draft and develop a single goaltender of even backup quality; for any team. The list includes, not one, but two second round draft picks. This is supposed to be the “gold standard of NHL franchises” though.

I tend to think otherwise, and I feel like we have just shown you why.

The post Misconceptions of Stan Bowman – Part 2 appeared first on The Rink.

One of such narratives is that the Blackhawks, more specifically General Manager Stan Bowman, are great at drafting and developing talent. For years I have disputed this claim, yet several times a year stories emerge about how Bowman and the Blackhawks are so wonderful in this area, and is not entirely true. They have been pretty good at drafting and developing forwards, but hockey teams are not just made up of just forwards.

Enough is enough, and it is time to sort through this murky swamp to separate fact from fiction.

Stan Bowman took over this Blackhawks team “officially” in July of 2009. Previous to that promotion, Bowman served as assistant General Manager, from 2007 until 2009, under the infamous Dale Tallon. He was also partially involved with drafting and development of players throughout the organization during those years, as well. For the sake of argument, lets include the drafts of 2007 through 2017 for Bowman’s resume since a decade is a nice round number.

The argument can be made that Stan Bowman is not the only individual responsible for drafting players, and you would be one hundred percent correct. Vice President of Amateur Scouting Mark Kelley is also on the hook for the results, and has been involved in this Blackhawks legacy since 2005. Where that argument falls apart is that if a boss finds his employee’s job results unsatisfactory, it is said bosses responsibility to correct the problem.

In part one of this series, I focus solely on the “good news.” This good (or better) news is regarding the forwards that the Blackhawks have drafted.

In the follow-up, I will focus on the goalies and defensemen. Brace yourself now, fans, because the news will only get darker from here.

Success is certainly relative, but gauging a career by NHL games played is a safe, objective criteria. That said, let us examine the drafted forwards in the Bowman era, beginning with the ’07-’09 drafts before Bowman was officially in charge but involved:

Year	Round-Pos	Name	NHL Games (as of 2/2/18)	Position
2007	1-1	Patrick Kane	791	RW
	2-38	Bill Sweatt	3	RW
	2-56	Akim Aliu	7	RW
	3-69	Maxime Tanguay		C
	6-156	Richard Greenop		RW
2008	1-11	Kyle Beach		C
	6-169	Ben Smith	237	RW
2009	2-59	Brandon Pirri	226	C
	3-89	Daniel Delisle		F
	4-119	Byron Froese	90	C
	5-149	Marcus Kruger	444	C
	6-177	David Pacan		C
	7-209	David Gilbert		C

As you can see, The Blackhawks organization drafted 13 forwards in these three seasons, and seven of these forwards have ever seen the NHL ice. Of the forwards that have seen the NHL, two of them (Bill Sweatt, Akim Aliu) have seen less than ten NHL games but, for the sake of argument, I left them in. Forward Byron Froese was basically discarded by the organization early in his career but, for the sake of argument, I left him in, as well.

Once you tally up the numbers, the Blackhawks organization has seven players that we can consider as drafted and developed into the NHL, or 54% of the drafted forwards. Their production aside, they have all played NHL games and all of them are still playing professional hockey somewhere, whether it be AHL, KHL or NHL or some pro league in Europe.

Patrick Kane
Marcus Kruger
Ben Smith
Brandon Pirri
Byron Froese
Bill Sweatt
Akim Aliu

Now, the final three players certainly may have you scratching your heads and asking, “WHO?” They participated in NHL games, but their careers were mostly flashes in the pan.  Pirri, Smith and Kruger are debatable, but I think we can all agree that those three players were bottom six depth forwards at their career heights. Pirri was a thing for five minutes in Florida, on a bad team, and it quickly faded.

What these numbers tell me is that unless the Blackhawks have a top 5 pick, which is virtually a slam dunk (Patrick Kane), the likelihood that they could pick a player who would develop through the organization and be a player that contributes to their team’s success is pretty low. Not only did they not develop many forwards for their own organizational success, but they did not develop many players to trade away for assets, either.

We cannot pile all of that onto Bowman’s shoulders, though. He was serving under Dale Tallon and Mark Kelley. There is a reason Tallon was let go, and this may have very well been one of them.

Lets move on to the seasons that our sweet boy Stanley Glenn was at the wheel of the bus, starting with 2010:

Year	Round-Pos	Name	NHL Games (as of 2/2/18)	Position
2010	1-24	Kevin Hayes	279	RW
	2-35	Ludvig Rensfeldt		LW
	3-90	Joakim Nordstrom	257	C
	4-120	Rob Flick		C
	6-151	Mirko Hofflin		C
2011	1-18	Mark McNeill	2	C
	1-26	Phillip Danault	178	LW
	2-43	Brandon Saad	419	LW
	4-109	Maxim Shalunov		RW
	5-139	Andrew Shaw	433	C
	7-199	Alex Broadhurst		C
2012	1-18	Teuvo Teravainen	247	RW
	3-79	Chris Calnan		RW
	5-139	Garret Ross		LW
	6-169	Vince Hinostroza	77	C
2013	1-30	Ryan Hartman	131	RW
	3-74	John Hayden	51	C
	4-121	Tyler Motte	64	C
	5-134	Luke Johnson		C
	6-181	Anthony Louis		C
2014	1-20	Nick Schmaltz	108	C
	3-83	Matheson Iacopelli		RW
	3-88	Beau Starrett		C
	4-98	Fredrik Olofsson		LW
	6-178	Dylan Sikura		C
	7-208	Jack Ramsey		RW
2015	2-54	Graham Knott		LW
	5-151	Radovan Bondra		RW
	6-164	Roy Radke		RW
	7-211	John Dahlstrom		RW
2016	2-39	Alex DeBrincat	51	RW
	2-50	Artur Kayumov		LW\RW
	4-113	Nathan Noel		C
	5-143	Mathias From		RW\LR
2017	3-70	Andrei Altybarmakyan		RW
	3-90	Evan Barratt		C
	4-112	Tim Söderlund		C/LW
	5-144	Parker Foo		LW

To say this list is anything resembling a disaster would be incorrect. Bowman and Kelley have drafted 38 forwards in eight drafts. Of those 38 forwards, 13 have played enough amount of NHL games to be considered, at minimum, moderate successes. Even though Mark McNeill has played only two NHL mercy games, I chose to leave him in the equation, as well.

If you crunch the numbers, 34% of the forwards Stan Bowman has drafted and developed made it all the way to the NHL. There are certainly still young players in the Blackhawks system like Dylan Sikura, Maxim Shalunov, and others that could blossom into something useful in the NHL. If Bomwan’s Blackhawks career ended tomorrow and three more players developed into NHL pieces, he could be flirting with the 40% threshold. We are talking about the current state, though.

I am sure that certain arguments will be made, the first being that, “Dat Bowmans iz alwaze draftin late in da roundz, doh.”  I cannot dispute that.  When compared to his peers, Stan Bowman’s average draft position has been 19th, while Minnesota, Nashville, Dallas and St, Louis were 15th, 15th, 12th and 18th respectively. What is left out of that argument is that once the first round is over, the draft position is irrelevant.  Every team is fighting and clawing for the hidden gem.

Another set of numbers that should be taken into consideration is the success rates of the previously mentioned peers. From 2010 until 2017 the success percentages of his divisional peers were as follows:

Minnesota (Fletcher): 35%
Nashville (Poile): 34%
Dallas (Nieuwendyk/Nill): 35%
St. Louis (Pleau/Armstrong): 25%

So, in conclusion, Stan Bowman’s ability to draft and develop forwards can probably be judged as “average” to “slightly above average“. This is certainly better than his predecessor, though, which is a low bar.

Proclaiming Bowman as some kind of drafting and developing savant, though, is a stretch of the imagination.

Let me remind you again, though, that this is ONLY forwards.

In part two, I examine the defensemen and goalies. This is where things will get ugly.

The post Misconceptions of Stan Bowman – Part 1 appeared first on The Rink.