Yeah, we’re getting closer to training camp. Which means we’re getting loaded up with player and prospect rankings in end-of-summer editions and updates. And the Blackhawks are getting plenty of mentions this year.
On Thursday morning, Scott Wheeler published his third annual “NHL Prospect Tiers” piece. I will say, the use of the word “prospect” is a bit of a misnomer; this is his ranking of the top 145 young players in the NHL and affiliated prospects. It’s a bit of a companion piece to the Player Tiers piece done each year at The Athletic that attempts to rank players. I previously wrote about how only three Blackhawks appeared in this year’s edition of their Player Tiers: Connor Bedard, Bowen Byram and Spencer Knight.
While it’s easy to be critical (I have been) of the commentary that has come from The Athletic on the macro regarding many things Blackhawks, what I appreciate and respect about Wheeler’s rankings each year is his methodology in putting together his final list. It isn’t just his opinion (Zach Benson fans aren’t going to be nearly as angry). Here’s how he put this list together:
It starts with me slotting 125-150 of the league’s under-23 talents into the different tiers that make up Player Tiers (MVP, franchise, all-star, star and support), but it’s finished by handing that shell over to NHL contacts. That panel, which was made up of 15 scouts and executives this year, is then given free rein to suggest adjustments in an effort to produce a more consensus view of the pool of players.
In total, Wheeler has a league-leading 11 Blackhawks players and prospects among his top 145 in these rankings. And Marek Vanacker was mentioned as a “just missed” 5C candidate. San Jose, which Corey Pronman ranked the No. 1 pipeline in the NHL had nine players on the list. Anaheim also placed nine on Wheeler’s list, while Montreal and Utah placed seven each.
Here’s where the Blackhawks ranked.
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard1C — Connor Bedard (MVP Tier)
Bedard ranked third overall in Wheeler’s rankings this year behind Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer. The only other player in his MVP tier was Ducks center Leo Carlsson. Here’s what Wheeler wrote about Bedard this year:The league feels that this is where pre-shoulder injuries Bedard was headed and while the pair of injuries to different shoulders have raised some yellow flags, nobody is quite ready to call them red and downgrade him, either.
There are three forwards in Tier 1C in Player Tiers this year and he’s not a natural comp for Aleksander Barkov or Celebrini but there’s a path for him to become a David Pastrnak-level scorer.
3B — Anton Frondell (All-Star Tier)
Wheeler’s description of players he includes in his All-Star Tier is “A top 60 player. Someone who wouldn’t be the best player on a contender, but would be an important part of any contending or championship core. A strong top-line forward, above average No. 1 defenseman, or borderline top five goalie.” Here’s what he wrote about Frondell:Frondell’s strong NHL showing at the end of the season helped him hold his Tier 3B projection for a second straight year. Some evaluators view him as more of a winger than a center and wonder if he has the playmaking and pace typical of All-Star calibre players, but his shot is viewed as a major weapon.
Tage Thompson is obviously bigger but in terms of a 3B guy who has had questions about center versus wing and consistency throughout his career with the shot as the one constant, there’s at least a thin line to draw there.
4A — Artyom Levshunov (Star Tier)
Wheeler drops Jakob Chychrun as a comp for Levshunov, who he writes was initially considered for a 3B or 3C rating but a few scouts had some concerns that led to him sliding down to the top of the Star Tier. Wheeler’s description of his “Star Tier” is: “A top 100 player. Someone who would be a strong piece within a contending or championship core, but not a go-to option. An average top-line forward, below average No. 1 defenseman, or top 10 goalie.“4A — Roman Kantserov (Star Tier)
Here’s what Wheeler wrote about Kantserov:Kantserov was a bubble guy for Prospect Tiers a year ago. Now, after leading the KHL in goals, he’s viewed as one of the top players outside of the NHL and a legit Calder Trophy candidate this season. He has got speed and scoring but he’s also stronger and more competitive than people probably gave him credit for.
Kyle Connor/Nikolaj Ehlers are the current Tier 4A line to draw for Kantserov (he’s harder than them but you’re hoping he becomes close in quick-strike ability).
4B — Frank Nazar (Star Tier)
Blackhawks forward Nick LardisTier 5 — Support
The final six Blackhawks players/prospects who appear on Wheeler’s list are in this tier. Wheeler’s description of this tier: “A top 150 player. Someone who would offer strong support to a contending or championship core, but wouldn’t be an integral piece within it. A below-average top-line forward, a strong No. 2 defenseman, or an above average starter.“
Here’s where the Blackhawks’ six remaining players ranked:
5A — Sam Rinzel
5A — Nick Lardis
Wow! Someone at The Athletic showing Lardis a little respect! Here’s what Wheeler wrote about him:All Lardis has done in the AHL and OHL over the last couple of years is produce at the very top of his age cohort. He has high-end speed to support his skill and shot too. But a 5-foot-11 winger really has to score to move beyond Support and into Star and that’s the next hurdle he’ll have to show he can clear before the league truly believes in the production at lower levels. The good news is he score 10 goals in half a season in the NHL last year as well.
5B — Xavier Villeneuve
5C — Kevin Korchinski
5C — Oliver Moore
5C — Václav Nestrašil
Here’s what Wheeler wrote about Nestrašil:Nestrasil wasn’t a name that came up in consideration for Prospect Tiers a year ago (typically only the consensus top 20 or so prospects from the previous draft do and he was just outside that group) but he has earned his way in after an excellent freshman year at UMass. The league views him as a potential winning player type who can drive a third line or play an unsung hero role on a top-six one with his length, stick and work 200-foot game.
Welcome to Prospect Tiers ????The top 145 under-23 players in hockey, as sorted into five tiers by 15 NHL scouts.? Free to read, with insight from the panel of scouts throughout: t.co/eC0xoViNUH pic.twitter.com/Ae7QXTWaPC
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 3, 2026Hence then, the article about league leading 11 blackhawks top new young player prospect rankings 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.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( League-Leading 11 Blackhawks Top New Young Player, Prospect Rankings )
Also on site :
- Frances Tiafoe wants to feed off ‘Knicks energy’ to end US Open drought — even if his NBA fandom is elsewhere
- Spa manager at world famous golf course tried to sue after putting herself down to work for 10 days in a row
- Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka impress in US Open second round but Katie Boulter beaten