For those who aren't into minor league hockey or just don't have time to view games that prospects play in, the next best thing as a fan is seeing prospects get called up to the big club. Even better is when they have staying power as immediate impact players.
At least based on the eye test and putting aside any analysis of advanced statistics, a common measure of whether prospects are doing well and were worth the development is whether they perform as advertised by organizational and analyst hype trains.
It isn't necessarily that these prospects instantly reached their full potential but more so that what you see on the ice starts to approximate what you recall reading about in scouting reports and articles or seeing in broadcasted games and highlight reels.
Let's take a look at the 2021 Blackhawks rookies and see whether they lived up to the chatter and buzz.
Who played as advertised?
Although he played in only 5 games collecting a goal and an assist, lanky but strong MacKenzie Entwistle showed off why he is a coach's dream by doing the little things to help his team compete playing a heavy style at both ends and making a difference without the puck.
If there was a rookie who shattered expectations, Brandon Hagel was it as he is undoubtedly the gold standard for how to exude an impeccable work ethic and relentless compete level to carve out a niche with the team as an all-terrain player. Hagel also has offensive skill to boot.
A late-season NCAA free agent signing, Mike Hardman had a head start on Entwistle to display a similar type of game albeit in a more filled out body. Along with someone like David Kampf, Hardman and Entwistle could very well form a killer 4th line next year for the Hawks.
Pius Suter was a highly coveted European free agent after playing 5 seasons in the Swiss elite league and didn't disappoint as a versatile and productive forward for Chicago. His slight stature meant nothing as he regularly played in the rough areas and drove hard to the net.
Adam Boqvist played in 41 games in 2019-20 so he may not technically have been a rookie this past season but -- after a rough start -- he finally started to match the billing of a dynamic puck moving D-man and even added a refreshing element of giving a darn defensively.
Even though his NHL debut wasn't until March, Wyatt Kalynuk was arguably the best all-around rookie blueliner. He prioritized defense providing focused net coverage while also being a fundamentally sound and smart mail carrier who generated offense from the back end.
In short order Kevin Lankinen took the bull by the horns to cement his perch at the top of the goalie hierarchy. Yes, he started to come back to earth with some pedestrian play. On the balance, though, he posted numbers that earned him the right to be the #1 until dethroned.
Who has more to give but just fell short?
Reese Johnson's first NHL game was impressive with agitation and physicality including 7 hits in 10:56 TOI but he grew more quiet in the other 4 games of his rookie year. Part of that could be blamed on how he was deployed but part of that was natural growing pains.
Philipp Kurashev had spurts where he was noticeable all game on the forecheck and backcheck then was invisible for a spell. He wasn't a huge liability when the latter happened which bodes well if he can lock in his consistency. His shot and nose for the net are underrated.
A constant battler in his end, Ian Mitchell exhibited a willingness to take charge whether handling plays himself or barking out orders to teammates. Where he struggled was floating frequently, relying too much on the stretch pass, and not using his feet in transition.
Nicolas Beaudin is capable of playing just like Kalynuk but his head often was up ice before the puck was. And like Mitchell, he was eager to battle defensively yet his strength wasn't NHL ready. Taking care of his end first and growing more physically mature should help.
Essentially the 3rd string goalie all season, Collin Delia ran hot and cold in both Chicago and Rockford. When he's on, he's unstoppable. But when he's off, he's a sieve. It's uncertain whether his increased playing time with the Hawks at season's end salvaged his potential.
Who didn't deliver upon recall?
Alec Regula's brief cup of coffee to cap off the Hawks season was uneventful and indicated that he needs another year in the AHL. IceHogs head coach Derek King even commented that Regula is too laid back and needs to push the pace more to succeed at the pro level.
Who is next in line?
The prospects who are next in line for call-ups in 2021-22 are Henrik Borgstrom, Lukas Reichel, Josiah Slavin, Evan Barratt, Andrei Altybarmakian, and Tim Soderlund up front, Chad Krys, Jakub Galvas, Isaak Phillips, and Regula in the back, and Arvid Soderblom in net.
Some of these prospects like Borgstrom and Reichel could crack the Hawks lineup out of training camp while the others are looking more at look-sees to view what they have to offer and where they need to improve. Many of them are also in the final year of their ELCs.
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World Championships
While they may have had relatively quiet showings at the IIHF World Championships, going on a run en route to winning gold with Team Canada is still a critical developmental milestone and valuable learning experience for Hagel and Beaudin.
As some reporters have noted, the World Championships may not mean much to hockey fans in North America but this tourney is the Stanley Cup Playoffs for many other countries. Like the NHL playoffs, getting eliminated is gut wrenching and winning is an emotional high for them.
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See you on the boards!
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