We end this week of top Blackhawks prospects by taking a look at the goaltenders in the pipeline which isn't enough for a top 10 and not even a top 5.
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Last Fall
Top goalies (November 2020):
1. Drew Commesso
2. Malcolm Subban
3. Collin Delia
4. Kevin Lankinen
5. Matt Tomkins
Key notes:
* At the time, it was still unclear who the Blackhawks would turn to as their starter and backup after Corey Crawford walked and signed as a free agent with the Devils a month earlier.
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This Spring
Top goalies (April 2021):
1. Drew Commesso
2. Matt Tomkins
3. Collin Delia
Key notes:
* At the time, Lankinen and Subban were the undisputed duo in Chicago before Delia got into 4 games at the end of the season.
* Tomkins had arguably caught up to Delia on the depth chart but is now out of the system having signed on with Frolunda in Sweden.
* Commesso continued to have the highest ceiling of all goalie prospects especially after turning in a solid freshman year at Boston University.
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Are They Eligible?
As far as this exercise, Lankinen, Subban, and Delia are not being considered as prospects. Lankinen was the unequivocal starter for the Hawks last season. Subban has a full season under his belt (82 games) across 6 seasons. Delia has played parts of 3 seasons already.
In contrast for this exercise, Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun are eligible to be considered prospects even though both are on AHL deals. Morris gets consideration below. However, Aubrun played more in the ECHL than the AHL in his rookie pro year last season so he doesn't make the list.
Then there's Ivan Nalimov who was rather unimpressive in his stint in Rockford this past season. He returned to the KHL team that he played for to start his pro career in Russia. The Hawks still own his rights. Like Maxim Shalunov, the Hawks just need to cut bait with Nalimov.
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Honorable Mentions
Dominic Basse
Basse stormed out of the gate as a freshman at Colorado College eventually supplanting Matt Vernon -- son of Flames goalie great Mike Vernon -- before crashing down to earth ending with some lackluster numbers to round out his first college season (4-11-1, 3.18, .895).
There is still intrigue with Basse as he enters his sophomore year. If he can develop consistency, then that would help boost his stock. For maximum development, it makes sense for him to play out his NCAA eligibility, get his degree, then see where the chips lay in 2024.
Cale Morris
Morris gets a chance to prove his worth in a full season after an abbreviated yet strong first year in the pros. During his rookie campaign, he wasn't that noticeable in net but that's a testament to him being calm, confident, and technically sound between the pipes.
While his sample size is small, Morris was still 5th in the AHL with a .923 save percentage when not factoring in the league minimum for minutes played to qualify as a statistical league leader. That is a good base to start from in 2021-22 and springboard to the next level.
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2. Arvid Soderblom
2020-21 Team: Skelleftea AIK (Sweden)
2021-22 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Potential: Backup.
Trajectory: At least one season in the AHL then push for the Blackhawks backup role for 2022-23.
If there's a goalie to rise up the ranks in short order, recent European signee Soderblom could be it. Although slight in frame at 6'1" and 168 pounds, Soderblom has a balanced game with his explosiveness, rebound control, and compact stance to square up to shooters.
Soderblom is set to begin 2021-22 as the IceHogs 2nd string goalie behind Morris but could impress quickly to become the #1. Since Morris and Aubrun are on AHL contracts and Soderblom is on an NHL one, Soderblom is the only one eligible if the Hawks need a goalie recall.
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1. Drew Commesso
2020-21 Team: Boston University (NCAA)
2021-22 Team: Same
Potential: Starter
Trajectory: At least one more season in the NCAA then at least two seasons in the AHL before being in the mix for a role with the Blackhawks by 2024-25 at the earliest.
Commesso may be the best goalie prospect the Hawks have had since Crawford. While he has a ways to go to fulfill that prophecy, Commesso had a strong freshman year (6-3-1, 2.99, .915), was invited to Team USA's WJC camp, and was a late add to the IIHF World Championships squad.
Similar to Subban, Commesso is very athletic with a balance of intensity and calmness in net. Like Lankinen, he has the intelligence, composure, and confidence to backstop his team. Commesso doesn't waste movements and lets pucks hit him instead so he can gobble up rebounds.
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MacKenzie Entwistle
MacKenzie Entwistle made the top 10 forwards ranking at #3 behind top 6 prospects Lukas Reichel and Henrik Borgstrom. How can a likely 4th liner be ranked so high? No matter his role, Entwistle exemplifies the type of player that teams need to be championship caliber.
Whether it's with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm in the OHL or with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, Entwistle is a proven difference maker and winner. Dubbed as a coach's dream, he does whatever is asked of him to help his team compete.
While he has under-appreciated and sometimes under-utilized offensive skills, Entwistle's calling card in the NHL will be as a shutdown defensive forward who can be relied upon in key situations like protecting leads, preserving ties, and killing penalties.
On the other end of the rink, though, Entwistle gets after it along the boards to win puck battles and drives hard to the net to create space and opportunities for his linemates. So in some regards, he is much like Brandon Hagel with an uber compete level to make an impact each shift.
In due course, Entwistle could eventually be the centerpiece for a new-look 4th line flanked by fellow big bodies in Mike Hardman who plays a heavy style and the industrious Josiah Slavin or with small spark plugs and shift disturbers in Andrei Altybarmakian and Evan Barratt.
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Kale Howarth
From the very few scouting reports available, former Blue Jackets 5th rounder Kale Howarth is a late bloomer who may have quite a bit of untapped potential. Even though his skating and play without the puck need work, he's positionally smart which can aid in his maturation.
Howarth is big and strong but wasn't always huge as he was 4'11" when he was a young teenager then hit a massive growth spurt to 6'5" so there may be some getting used to his lanky frame. Despite the time needed to grow into his body, he still uses his size to his advantage.
On the one hand, Howarth can be an immovable object particularly in the crease. But on the other hand, he can be an unstoppable force by hunting down pucks, outmuscling opponents, and employing deft hands to convert on his scoring chances.
From the IceHogs press release on the team's website:
"Kale is a big, strong kid and he is excited to be a part of the organization. When I spoke with him, he already sounds like a professional and heโs eager to learn...Heโs a big guy with a lot of hockey in him." (quote by Derek King)
"Itโs a dream come true to be joining the Blackhawks organization. It has been a long journey for me and Iโm excited to get going. Iโm a big-bodied presence on the ice that likes to create time and space for my teammates." (quote by Kale Howarth)
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Uniform Numbers
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