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Talking Blackhawks Prospects |
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I'm back! I'm not back with a blog that I have written though, I am turning the keyboard over to our IceHogs/Prospects correspondent, Theo aka AEL_Fox.
We need a new conversation, so as we lead up to our first Armchair GM blog (coming out on Friday), let's look at the prospects in the system and how they progressed – or didn't progress – this season.
Without further ado, Theo:
With the AHL also suspending its season, the Hogs would not qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs as the 8th seed Reign (Kings) of the Western Conference has 64 points while the Hogs are tied with the Wolves (Golden Knights) with 62 points.
The Reign and Wolves also have played 6 and 2 less games, respectively, than the Hogs giving them more opportunity for Ontario to pad their lead and Chicago to gain ground.
Prior to the season getting suspended, the Hogs were 9-6-1 since the start of February after a putrid January where they won only 3 times in 14 games.
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For those who are not into minor league hockey or just do not have time to view games that prospects play in, the next best thing as a fan is to see a prospect get called up.
At least from the eye test and putting aside an analysis of advanced stats, a common measure of whether a prospect is doing well and worth the development is whether they perform as advertised.
It isn't necessarily that they instantly reach potential but more so that what you see on the ice starts to approximate what you recall reading about in scouting reports or seeing in-game tape.
Let's take a look at the prospects who have played for the Hawks this season. This list considers only those who played in Rockford at some point so Kubalik and Nylander are not included.
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Who has played as advertised?
There is no question that Dach is a star in the making. Dominance as a game-breaker will come as he grows into his body and gains NHL maturity.
Despite natural growing pains, the attention that Boqvist pays to defense has been more impressive than his offensive dynamism that we have been teased with as well.
Albeit with an NHL sample size of one, Beaudin makes smart plays even under pressure, manages gaps, protects the net, makes timely pinches, and transitions the puck swiftly.
Carlsson was a strong skater who could transition the puck quickly, generate offense with a hard shot from the point, play the body, and protect the net in Rockford and hasn't disappointed so far in Chicago.
While Hagel has more offensive skill than Highmore, both are almost carbon copies of each other with their ability to snuff out pucks, relentless forecheck, fearlessness to drive hard to the net, and awareness in all zones.
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Who has more to give but just seems to fall short?
Sikura is one. He really is offensively gifted but he does have you wanting more. At least he is defensively responsible and possesses above-average hockey sense.
Gilbert has considerable strengths that he brings to the rink with his size, physicality, mean streak, and skating. Yet, he needs to harness his hard-hitting and demonstrate smarter defensive coverage.
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Who did not deliver upon recall?
When healthy, Quenneville has been a physical force in the AHL as a power forward with a wicked shot he can unleash from anywhere. In his few games on the Hawks, though, he did not live up to that billing.
Wedin is a jack of all trades but master of none for the Hogs. Even his scouting report from his Swedish pro experience was underwhelming. In his cup of coffee, Wedin was largely inconsequential.
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Next in line for call-ups (i.e. next season) are Entwistle and Kurashev at forward and Krys on the back end. In net, of course, are Delia and Lankinen.
Tomkins is vastly improved this season which secured him his first NHL contract but he still has more to prove in the AHL to be considered an NHL-caliber tender.
Of all the Russian prospects in the system, it was a surprise to see Nalimov be the first to cross the pond as there was relatively more chatter around Shalunov, Altybarmakyan, and Kayumov.
It is disappointing that Nalimov won't have a chance to play but he at least gives the Hawks another lottery ticket to find a goalie of the future whether starter or backup.
Altybarmakyan is who I would wager to join the Hogs next season. He is the most electrifying talent of the Russian forwards and is only 21.
Kayumov is young at 22 but signed an extension to stay in the KHL through 2022.
Shalunov is much older at 27. IMO, not a lot to be excited about.
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Excellent breakdown, Theo.
Check back on Friday for that Armchair GM article, which will surely spark some fun debate.
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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