As Blackhawks fans stare at the looming NHL Trade Deadline and the final weeks of the regular season, it’s a good time for us to update our rankings of the top prospects in the pipeline. The Blackhawks have a well-stocked system, and we could see some of these guys in Chicago before the end of the regular season.
A couple notes on Blackhawks players included in our March rankings: I am leaving Sam Rinzel in the rankings even though he’s been recalled. He’ll likely permanently graduate after this edition of our rankings. And, even though Kevin Korchinski is with the NHL club, I’m leaving him in the rankings as well.
Also, you’ll also notice goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy falls out of our top 20 this month, thanks in large part to a 20-game suspension from the AHL.
Finally, one of the comments on our previous rankings in early February requested the inclusion of ages in the bio info, so I’m adding the birthdates for each prospect on our list.
IIHFBlackhawks Top Prospects
1. Anton Frondell, C/W
6-2, 204DOB: May 7, 2007Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 3) — 2025 NHL DraftSIGNED
Frondell, who has already signed to his entry-level contract, was named the best forward in this year’s World Junior Championship as he helped Sweden win the entire tournament. He’s seen his ice time fluctuate with Djurgårdens in the SHL this season, but we need to keep in mind that he’s playing in the top level league in Sweden. Frondell is scoring at a very good clip for a player his age in the SHL. He could join the Blackhawks before the end of the NHL’s regular season.
2. Roman Kantserov, RW
5-9, 176DOB: Sept. 20, 2004Shoots: LeftAcquired: 2nd round (No. 44) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Ottawa in Zaitsev trade)
Kantserov, who doesn’t turn 22 until the end of September, continues to lead the KHL in scoring and is playing at a ridiculous pace. His contract in the KHL expires in June, so we should learn his immediate future at some point in the coming months. He has said that he wants to play in the NHL. The big question is what position he will play if/when he comes over.
3. Sam Rinzel, RHD
6-4, 196DOB: June 25, 2004Shoots: RightAcquired: 1st round (No. 25) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Toronto in Mrazek trade)SIGNED
Rinzel joined the Blackhawks back in the NHL for the final three games before the Olympic break and came back up after the break. He worked specifically on his defensive game in Rockford, and has showed good signs of improvement in those areas since he was recalled. Hopefully he can grab the job running the Blackhawks’ top power play and run with it for a long time.
4. Nick Lardis, RW
6-0, 170DOB: July 08, 2005Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2023 NHL DraftSIGNED
After dominating the OHL last year, Lardis made the jump to the professional ranks and got off to a great start in Rockford. He was among the AHL rookie leaders when he was recalled by the Blackhawks, and he showed some terrific hands — shooting and passing — during his first run in the NHL. He’s still playing around a point-per-game pace in the AHL as a first-year pro, earning him a spot in the AHL All-Star Classic. Lardis should be back up with the Blackhawks down the stretch when a roster spot becomes available.
5. Marek Vanacker, LW
6-1, 188DOB: April 12, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 27) — 2024 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Carolina in pick swap)SIGNED
Vanacker has taken Lardis’ place as the most lethal offensive threat on the Brantford roster — and in the OHL. He continues to lead the OHL in goals and was the first player in the league to hit the 40-goal mark this season. Vanacker has already signed his entry-level contract and will turn pro whenever his run in Brantford comes to an end.
6. Václav Nestrašil, RW
6-6, 186DOB: April 6, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 1st round (No. 25) — 2025 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Toronto in McCabe trade)
Nestrašil was a bit of a lottery ticket in the 2025 NHL Draft and it appears the Blackhawks’ front office picked the right numbers. He’s been very good at UMass in a tough Hockey East this season as a freshman, sticking around a point-per-game pace for most of the year. He dealt with an injury in February that cost him a few games, but he’s looked great — especially while helping Czechia advance to the gold medal game at the World Junior Championship. He still has a big up arrow next to his name.
7. Kevin Korchinski, LHD
6-1, 185DOB: June 21, 2004Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 7) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Ottawa in A. DeBrincat trade)SIGNED
Korchinski represented the IceHogs in the AHL All-Star Classic for a second straight year. His skating is still special and he’s still a very young player. The big questions moving forward are where Korchinski fits into the Blackhawks’ lineup if Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov are running the two power play units. There’s still a lot to love about Korchinski’s ability, and he’s still very young.
8. Nathan Behm, RW
6-2, 208DOB: April 18, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2025 NHL Draft
Behm is still among the WHL leaders in scoring, and is the top point-producer among Blackhawks prospects in the CHL. He has a big body and can skate, both things you love in a prospect. He still has a big up arrow for me. He’s committed to play at Arizona State in the NCHC next year, which will be a good step for his development.
9. AJ Spellacy, C/W
6-3, 204DOB: Feb. 24, 2006Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 72) — 2024 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Ottawa in DeBrincat trade)SIGNED
Spellacy’s NHL future is likely as a high-motor bottom-six forward who attacks pucks recklessly. He was the fastest skater at the World Juniors and chipped in some offense for the USA while moving up and down the lineup. His speed at the WJC would have ranked near the top of the NHL this season. And he’s a wrecking ball on the ice. There’s a ton to like here.
10. Jack Pridham, RW
6-2, 185DOB: Oct. 8, 2005Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 92) — 2024 NHL Draft
Pridham ranks among the OHL leaders in goals, power play goals and short-handed goals. He dominated the league in January — he was named the OHL’s Player of the Month — and hasn’t slowed down. Pridham had more multi-point games in February that he had appearances without a point. He’s been terrific and consistent this year, which makes the next step in his development interesting. Will he go to Boston University, where he still has an offer? Or will he sign with the Blackhawks and begin his pro hockey journey in Rockford? Maybe the biggest up arrow in the organization is right here, and he’s now in our top ten.
11. Sacha Boisvert, C/W
6-3, 185DOB: March 17, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 18) — 2024 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Islanders in pick swap)
Boisvert’s transfer to Boston University hasn’t been what everyone hoped it could be — in large part because of injuries, a fighting suspension and BU just being a surprisingly mediocre, inconsistent team overall this season. Even so, Boisvert has his moments this season for the Terriers. The plan was for him to spend one year at BU. We’ll see if that remains true or if another collegiate campaign makes sense.
12. Mason West, C
6-6, 218DOB: Aug. 3, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 1st round (No. 29) — 2025 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Carolina in pick swap)
West got a late start with Fargo in the USHL after leading his high school football team to a state championship. Lately, he’s been getting his game back on track and the points are coming. He’s a huge forward with a good release and skates well. He’s committed to play at Michigan State next season.
13. Drew Commesso, G
6-2, 180DOB: July 19, 2002Acquired: 2nd round (No. 46) — 2020 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Vegas in M. Subban trade)SIGNED
Commesso continues to be solid for the IceHogs, and had a tough two-game call-up in which he performed admirably in far-from-ideal circumstances. The fact that he’s an RFA this coming summer complicates his future with the organization; Spencer Knight is the No. 1 in the NHL. There’s a good chance he competes for the back-up job in the NHL next season if/when he gets an extension.
14. Adam Gajan, G
6-2, 180DOB: May 6, 2004Acquired: 2nd round (No. 35) — 2023 NHL Draft
After an injury-plagued freshman season at Minnesota-Duluth, Gajan has rebounded to be one of the better netminders in the college ranks this year. He was invited to play with the US Collegiate Select team at the Spengler Cup and represented Slovakia in the Olympics as well. His stock is back up this year after dipping last year because of the injuries. And there’s absolutely no rush for him to turn pro, which is good.
15. John Mustard, W
6-1, 195DOB: Aug. 16, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2024 NHL Draft
Mustard continues to play effectively in all situations for Providence during his sophomore season. The Friars have been an absolute wagon since the calendar turned to 2026, and Mustard has been a big part of their success. He’s been near/at the top of the team leaderboard in goals throughout the year and leads the team in shots on net. He’s another player who can fly, and is getting valuable experience in Hockey East and will should a taste of the NCAA postseason.
16. Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
6-4, 210DOB: Jan. 15, 2003Shoots: LeftAcquired: 4th round (No. 105) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Vancouver in M. Bowey trade)SIGNED
Del Mastro has been playing arguably his best hockey since turning pro in February. He’s only appeared in two games in the NHL thus far, but he could be a call-up if/when the Blackhawks need depth on the back end after the trade deadline. He’s more of a physical, shut-down defender than the other young defensemen coming up in the Blackhawks’ system — and that figures to be his value to the organization moving forward. He may ultimately be a third-pair or seventh defenseman in Chicago, but he has good tools to stick in the league.
17. Gavin Hayes, LW
6-1, 176DOB: May 14, 2004Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Montreal in K. Dach trade)SIGNED
Welcome back to our prospect rankings, Gavin Hayes! He’s been playing a much more effective game over the past couple months, and his offensive numbers are starting to show a nice upward trend. He was a scorer in junior, but his skating was a question. Hard work is starting to pay off. I don’t think he’ll be a top-six guy for the Blackhawks, but he goes to the dirty areas and uses his body to get pucks on net. Again, there’s no rush here. He’s a good depth player in the organization who reminds me of Troy Brouwer in many ways.
18. Julius Sumpf, C/W
6-2, 190DOB: Jan. 11, 2005 Shoots: LeftAcquired: 4th round (No. 98) — 2025 NHL Draft
Sumpf has really come on since Christmas, consistently finding himself named in the box score with a point on the board. He’s also been a consistent shot blocker this season, his first in college after he was an over-age pick out of the QMJHL. Sumpf intrigues me more as the season progresses. He’s spent a lot of the last month skating in the top six for a really good Providence squad.
19. Ilya Kanarsky, G
6-3, 192DOB: Dec. 6, 2004Acquired: 7th round (No. 194) — 2025 NHL Draft
Kanarsky was an over-age, late-round pick that surprised some at the last draft because he’s a very good netminder in the VHL. He has good size. The Blackhawks appear to be set in net right now, and he’s behind both Commesso and Gajan in the pipeline. But there might be a high ceiling here.
20. Aidan Thompson, W
5-11, 180DOB: Feb. 18, 2002Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 90) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from CGY in N. Zadorov trade)SIGNED
I am, admittedly, a Thompson fan and have been for some time. He’s been really good over the past month, playing his best hockey to date as a pro. The Blackhawks will need guys who can play a bottom-six role, and Thompson could be one of those guys who earns NHL ice time at some point because he’s willing to grind and be annoying to play against.
Honorable Mention
Stanislav Berezhnoy, G Taige Harding, LHD Samuel Savoie, F Joel Svensson, RW Martin Mišiak, C/WHence then, the article about bn blackhawks top 20 prospect rankings pre trade deadline march updates was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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