Last offseason in November, I reviewed the Blackhawks top prospects at forward, on the blueline, and in net. Then in April, those lists were revisited. This week is a refresh of those rankings now that TDL and offseason moves have occurred plus the 2021 draft has come and gone.
1. Lukas Reichel
2. Philipp Kurashev
3. Brandon Hagel
4. Pius Suter
5. MacKenzie Entwistle
6. Evan Barratt
7. Michal Tepy
8. Tim Soderlund
9. Antti Saarela
10. Andrei Altybarmakian
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This Spring
Top 10 forwards (April 2021):
1. Lukas Reichel
2. Henrik Borgstrom
3. MacKenzie Entwistle
4. Evan Barratt
5. Josiah Slavin
6. Andrei Altybarmakian
7. Landon Slaggert
8. Tim Soderlund
9. Michal Teply
10. Antti Saarela
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No Longer Eligible
Philipp Kurashev and Brandon Hagel are no longer eligible to be considered prospects as they played the entire last season with the big club. Pius Suter did as well but he's now with Detroit. Tim Soderlund made the top 10 this past year but went with Duncan Keith to Edmonton.
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Honorable Mentions
Colton Dach
Dach gravitates to the net and wreaks havoc there or wherever there's traffic. As a potential middle 6 power winger, he has a knack of knowing where to be on the ice and engaging in battles to gain possession then put power behind his shots with pinpoint accuracy.
Where Dach needs improvement are his skating and play without the puck. While willing to engage defensively, he gets beat by more agile opponents. Like older brother Kirby, Colton can also grapple with stickhandling around defenders by using finesse rather than power.
Antti Saarela
Saarela is fast and agile, rock solid defensively, competitive, and strong on draws. He has a blistering shot and a great transition game starting with his commitment to defense and ability to fluidly jump into plays offensively especially off of turnovers and on the rush.
For NHL projection, Saarela could be outstanding as a shutdown pivot and PK specialist who plays with an edge and be a more offensively inclined version of David Kampf. Yet, Saarela could have competition now with #10 on the top forwards list below.
Jake Wise
Wise has struggled to stay healthy, yet, he has proven to be one of the most talented players in the system: high compete level, impeccable work ethic, dynamic skating, and slick puck handling. He also has a defensive conscience making him an eventual playmaking 3C.
Transferring from Boston University to Ohio State University could give Wise a new lease on life to gain more ice time and confidence en route to amping up his stock again. Hopefully skating with Jonathan Toews and Connor Murphy this summer in Chicago pays dividends for his growth, too.
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10. Victor Stjernborg
2020-21 Team: Vaxjo Lakers (Sweden) 2021-22 Team: Same Position: C/W Slot Potential: 4th line, likely as a shutdown center. Trajectory: One more season in Sweden then at least 2 seasons in the AHL then be in the mix for an NHL role by 2024-25.
While he doesn't play a big game, Stjernborg executes the small things to help teams win: manage gaps, contain the rush, disrupt plays, dish out hits, block shots, and win draws. Quick and nimble on his skates, Stjernborg uses his endless motor to attack in waves at both ends.
Stjernborg is someone who coaches lean on in key defensive situations. Even though his offensive output is meager, Stjernborg makes up for it by creating space, engaging in battles, and digging out pucks. He goes all out every shift leveraging his speed to hustle and push the pace.
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9. Michal Teply
2020-21 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) 2021-22 Team: Same Position: LW Slot Potential: Middle 6, likely as a scoring winger with potential to play top 6 as needed. Trajectory: At least two more seasons in the AHL then be in the mix for an NHL role by 2023-24.
Teply is a goal scorer and underrated playmaker. He’s not only a volume shooter but also an accurate one who can fire from anywhere even with heavy defensive coverage. Also, he has been steadily improving his play without the puck and his skating as speed bursts are the biggest need.
A visual paradox on the ice, Teply can look awkward and labored in his stride yet somehow is effective at making plays in all zones. His knack for takeaways is eerily reminiscent of Nick Schmaltz. Although it's doubtful he'd ever be on the PK, Teply at least shows defensive effort.
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8. Landon Slaggert
2020-21 Team: University of Notre Dame (NCAA) 2021-22 Team: Same Position: C/W Slot Potential: Bottom 6, likely as a 4th line energy winger unless he can prove he can consistently produce in the 0.25-0.40 PPG range in the NHL. Trajectory: At least one more season in the NCAA but likely two then 1-2 seasons in the AHL before being in the mix for an NHL role by 2024-25 at the earliest.
Slaggert's stock rose meteorically from 2020 draft day to the present after a standout freshman season at the University of Notre Dame and being a 4th liner for Team USA at the World Junior Championships. He's physical, aggressive, relentless, skilled, and defensively aware.
Along with sandpaper and spirit, Slaggert provides offensive flair in a secondary capacity. He's relied upon to agitate the opposition, wear them down with hits, and be overpowering in battles for the puck. Also, the WJC experience helped him level up on offense at Notre Dame.
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7. Andrei Altybarmakian
2020-21 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) 2021-22 Team: Same Position: RW Slot Potential: Bottom 6, likely as a 4th line energy winger unless he can prove he can consistently produce in the 0.25-0.40 PPG range in the NHL. Trajectory: At least one more season in the AHL then be in the mix for an NHL role by 2022-23.
Altybarmakian is a speedy and animated winger who is adept at scoring from in close. Not a perimeter player, he’s patient with the puck getting the goalie and defense to commit first then using razor-sharp accuracy to deposit it through even the smallest of openings.
A selfless warrior, Altybarmakian could be a fan favorite with his high energy, relentless puck pursuit, and fearless grit. He’s willing to crash the net and engage physically to make plays including slug his way through the entire opposition if necessary. He fears nobody.
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6. Josiah Slavin
2020-21 Teams: Colorado College (NCAA) & Rockford IceHogs (AHL) 2021-22 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Position: LW Slot Potential: Bottom 6, likely as a 4th line power winger unless he can prove he can consistently produce in the 0.25-0.40 PPG range in the NHL. Trajectory: At least one more season in the AHL then be in the mix for an NHL role by 2022-23.
Slavin played mainly on the top lines at Colorado College and plays in that role in the AHL. At the NHL level, though, he projects to be a bottom 6 power forward. With a favorably large frame, Slavin skates well, cycles the puck, wins board battles, and drives hard to the net.
Though he possesses offensive jam to provide secondary scoring, Slavin may be more valuable for being dependable in his own end. He does the little things in all zones to help teams win. His defensive awareness, suffocating forecheck, and heavy style are tailor made for the PK, too.
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5. Evan Barratt
2020-21 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) 2021-22 Team: Same Position: C/W Slot Potential: Middle 6, likely as a 3rd line energy winger. Trajectory: At least one more season in the AHL then be in the mix for an NHL role by 2022-23.
Barratt brings a package of offensive ingenuity along with sandpaper, relentlessness, and defensive acumen where the sum of his parts may negate any skating deficiencies he may have. He thinks the game fast which helps him maneuver and execute with little time and space.
Just like Andrew Shaw and Drake Caggiula, Barratt may excel at being an all-terrain forward who can play on any line and make an impact. Similarly, Barratt is a little ball of hate, hustling up and down the ice to hunt down pucks and irritate the other team to no end.
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4. Mike Hardman
2020-21 Teams: Boston College (NCAA) & Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2021-22 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Position: LW/RW Slot Potential: Bottom 6, likely as a 4th line power winger unless he can prove he can consistently produce in the 0.25-0.40 PPG range in the NHL. Trajectory: At least starting with the IceHogs this season but could be back with the Blackhawks as one of the first recalls.
Producing at 0.75 PPG for Boston College, Hardman is a huge winger at 6'2" 205 pounds. Just like Colton Dach, Hardman is a physical player with a shoot-first mentality. After signing as a free agent, Hardman submitted a respectable NHL debut with 3 points and 38 hits in 8 games.
And just like Slavin, Hardman applies a heavy forecheck and is a handful along the walls and in the slot. He keeps his feet moving and closes in fast to lay out opponents. While he gets to soft areas to shoot, he's also adept at creating space for and setting up teammates.
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3. MacKenzie Entwistle
2020-21 Teams: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) & Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2021-22 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Position: C/W Slot Potential: Bottom 6, likely as a 4C unless he can prove he can consistently produce in the 0.25-0.40 PPG range in the NHL. Trajectory: At least starting with the IceHogs this season but could be back with the Blackhawks as one of the first recalls.
Entwistle is a foot soldier willing to execute all of the little things it takes to win and is reliable in key defensive situations. Due to his heavy forecheck and cycling ability, Entwistle could form a future formidable 4th line with the likes of Slavin and Hardman.
A beast in 50/50 battles, Entwistle dominates the boards and plays physical if the game demands it. A criticism that Hogs head coach Derek King has pointed out is Entwistle doesn't show off his offensive gifts enough. As such, he could be an option as the bumper on the power play.
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2. Henrik Borgstrom
2020-21 Team: HIFK Helsinki (Finland) 2021-22 Team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) Position: C Slot Potential: Top 6, likely as a 2nd line center. Trajectory: Almost for certain to be with the Blackhawks this season unless the team risks putting him on waivers in an attempt to send him to the AHL for seasoning.
The centerpiece in the March trade with the Panthers, Borgstrom is poised to be a top 6 center in the NHL who is also responsible in his own end. Though he has been labeled as inconsistent after being drafted, his strong work ethic has helped him improve his 3-zone play.
Borgstrom's above average hockey IQ allows him to be a balanced shooter and playmaker. Another thing to like about him is his size at 6'3" and 200 pounds. As far as strength, he's stable on his skates but needs to fill out more in the upper body in order to endure NHL physicality.
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1. Lukas Reichel
2020-21 Team: Eisbaren Berlin (Germany) 2021-22 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Position: C/W Slot Potential: Top 6, but could be on the 3rd line to start his career then potential as an eventual 2nd liner, likely on the wing. Trajectory: At least starting with the IceHogs this season but could be with the Blackhawks as one of the first recalls.
Now that Reichel has inked his ELC, he can start developing on North American ice yet the smaller surface may actually fit his style. He's a stellar 3-zone player who is diligent in the rough areas and uses his endless motor to forecheck and backcheck equally well.
Reichel's game is intelligent with quickness and agility in all directions. He’s also resilient in that he will bounce back after taking a jolt and keep motoring. He impressed as a teenager playing top 6 center and both wings in all situations in the German elite league.
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Prospect Showcases
#mnwild GM Bill Guerin says the Wild and #blackhawks will hold a prospect rookie tournament (2 games) at TRIA Rink the weekend before training camp. Next year, Minnesota's prospects will go to Chicago
As a reminder, the Blackhawks will not host their annual prospects camp in person for the second year in a row. A reported reason is that it's tough to provide an equitable experience for the European and Russian prospects. A virtual version is supposedly being done instead.
Although the Hawks will not be participating in the annual prospect tourney in Traverse City, Michigan against several other teams, they will be in the Twin Cities next month for a shorter exhibition against the Wild. Chicago will play host next September.
The 2021-22 regular season schedule has been out for a few weeks but game times were recently released for those who want to synchronize their personal calendars.
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