As we reach the end of March, it’s a really good time to take stock of the Chicago Blackhawks’ pipeline. The regular seasons in the CHL and NCAA have come to a close and their respective postseasons are under way. The playoffs are also in full swing in the KHL and other leagues around the world. And we’ve seen two of the top prospects, Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert, make their NHL debuts.
We have one new name in our top 20 list this month with a couple names removed. I’m graduating Sam Rinzel at this time; he was still included in our last rankings at the start of March. I am, however, leaving Nick Lardis on the list — for now. Aidan Thompson also departs from the list as he’s no longer with the organization.
Let’s jump into it. Here are our new rankings of the Blackhawks’ top 20 prospects as we flip the calendar to April — and the end of the NHL regular season.
Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBlackhawks Top Prospects
1. Anton Frondell, C/W
6-2, 204DOB: May 7, 2007Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 3) — 2025 NHL DraftSIGNED
Frondell became the first 18-year-old to score 20 goals in the SHL since Daniel Sedin this season after being named the best forward at the World Junior Championship. He saw his role evolve throughout the season in one of the top leagues in the world and was especially good after the WJC. He’s now skating in the NHL and picked up points in his first two games with the Blackhawks
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, finished the season as the KHL leader in goals and he hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs. The comparables we’ve heard mentioned here based on his production as a 21-year-old in the KHL include Kirill Kaprozov and Artemi Panarin. His contract in Russia ends in June and expectations are that he’s in Chicago in September working on cementing a top-six spot.
3. Nick Lardis, RW
6-0, 170DOB: July 08, 2005Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2023 NHL DraftSIGNED
I’m leaving Lardis in our rankings this time — probably the last time he’ll be here. He’s shown flashes of the offensive ability that helped him put up historic numbers in the OHL last year, but saw his role limited before the trade deadline. Since he’s been elevated in the lineup, he’s been noticeable almost every night. If he continues to play more physically, he could be in line for a top-six role in Chicago in training camp.
4. 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 helium prospect heading into the 2025 NHL Draft and the Blackhawks selected him in the first round. He went to UMass and opened everyone’s eyes with his speed and skill — with a big body he’s still filling out. The up arrow here is big and bold. He has top-six potential and will get more time to develop in college next season.
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 finished the regular season as the OHL goal champion, just ahead of another Blackhawks prospect. He plays the game similarly to Tyler Bertuzzi; he can score a number of ways, but can and will go to the dirty areas. He has good size coming out of junior and will be a pro next year full-time.
6. 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 still needs to put on weight/muscle, but his defensive game continues to take steps forward. His calling card will remain his skating and playmaking ability. The questions for him will be how the Blackhawks work him into the power play with Rinzel and Levshunov theoretically on the top two units; one of them will need to work on the penalty kill, however, so that might open a door. He’s an RFA this coming summer and will need a new deal; Korchinski would need to clear waivers to go back to the AHL next season.
7. 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. He’s already signed his ELC and will turn pro next year. With his combination of size and speed, there’s intrigue to see if he makes a case for an NHL spot sooner than later. He’s looked good in his preseason action with the Blackhawks in previous years.
8. Jack Pridham, RW
6-2, 185DOB: Oct. 8, 2005Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 92) — 2024 NHL Draft
Pridham finished the regular season on a heater and came up just short of Vanacker in the OHL goal race. He was also among the league leaders in power play and short-handed goals for the season. This was a great all-around season for the overager in junior, who still has the option to attend Boston University next year. Stock is way up here.
9. Nathan Behm, RW
6-2, 208DOB: April 18, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2025 NHL Draft
Behm finished the season among the top ten in the WHL in goals and points. He scored 20 even-strength goals this season and 18 on the power play. He has a big body and can skate, both things you love in a prospect. He’s committed to Arizona State next year and will benefit from playing college hockey. He still has a big up arrow for me.
10. 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)SIGNED
The change on Boisvert’s bio is that he has signed his entry-level contract and made his NHL debut since our last rankings. Boisvert’s transfer to Boston University did not go as well as planned; he dealt with injuries and had a brief suspension for fighting. Even so, he’s now in the NHL getting experience down the stretch for the Blackhawks. He plays with an edge — and the Hawks need some of that in the lineup. He’ll have competition for an NHL spot out of training camp and could be in Rockford to get more experience to start next season.
11. John Mustard, W
6-1, 195DOB: Aug. 16, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2024 NHL Draft
Mustard had a very good sophomore year and might be the next prospect to get an entry-level contract from the Blackhawks. He closed out his season with his 17th goal in Providence’s first-round loss in the NCAA tournament. He can fly and plays a solid all-around game with decent size.
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. Late in the season he came on and started to put up really good numbers. He’s a huge forward with a good release and skates well. He’s committed to play at Michigan State next season. There’s no rush for him to turn pro and he’s going to a very good college program.
13. 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 got called back up to the NHL after the trade deadline and has been skating as the sixth defenseman for the Blackhawks. He’s a big, physical guy who will kill penalties and take whatever minutes are available. I’ve been a Del Mastro fan since he was drafted. He might be earning a much longer look next season. The Blackhawks will need to sign him to a new deal this summer, however; he’s a restricted free agent on July 1.
14. 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 has three games of NHL experience added to his resume this season. 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. He’s been impressive in his limited NHL action.
15. 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.
16. Jiří Felcman, C
6-4, 198DOB: April 17, 2005Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 93) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Arizona (Utah) in pick swap)SIGNED
Felcman joins our rankings after a strong season in which he made enough of an impression on the Blackhawks’ front office that he earned an entry-level contract. He’ll finish this regular season in Rockford. He’s big and can skate. Adding him to the mix in Rockford next season could make the IceHogs a problem to play against.
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
Getting healthy has been a huge part of Hayes’ progress this season. He’s learning the pro game and contributing with the IceHogs, more than doubling his goal total from last season. There’s no rush on Hayes and he’s a solid depth piece in the organization. He was a very good scorer in junior who’s adjusting to a different role in the pro ranks.
18. Julius Sumpf, C/W
6-2, 190DOB: Jan. 11, 2005 Shoots: LeftAcquired: 4th round (No. 98) — 2025 NHL Draft
Sumpf really came on since Christmas, consistently finding himself named in the box score with a point on the board and climbing into Providence’s top six. He was also 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’ll likely run it back at Providence next year. I’ve got an up arrow on Sumpf.
19. Joel Svensson, RW
6-1, 194DOB: April 15, 2005Acquired: 5th round (No. 138) — 2024 NHL Draft (pick acq. from Calgary in R. Carpenter trade)
Svensson has decent size and can skate, adding a good shot to this repertoire. He took a big step up in competition this year and performed well. He’s a nice depth piece in the organization with another year of runway.
20. 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.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsHonorable Mention
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