BN Blackhawks Top 20 Prospect Rankings: Hot Starts Headline October Updates ...Middle East

Well folks, we’re getting to the end of October, which means it’s time for our first end-of-month update to our notes on the top prospects in the Blackhawks organ-I-zation. And it’s been a nice first month of the season for some of the next wave of players in the pipeline.

I noted in our final preseason rankings that it would likely be the last time Anton Frondell or Roman Kantserov was considered. That is indeed the case. I’m graduating both; they won’t see Rockford unless it’s a rehab stint. I am putting Nick Lardis back in the mix, though, with him being back with the IceHogs until there’s roster space in Chicago… or someone else expresses enough interest that he moves.

Blackhawks Top Prospects

1. Václav Nestrašil, RW

6-6, 205DOB: April 6, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 1st round (No. 25) — 2025 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Toronto in McCabe trade)

Nestrašil has seemingly picked up where he left off at the end of a busy, productive freshman campaign at UMass that also saw him lead Czechia to a sliver at the World Junior Championship. He’s still learning how to use his size, but he’s doing that against a tough schedule in Hockey East. And the goals are still coming in bunches. As the Blackhawks reportedly shop for a big, physical winger who likes to shoot the puck in the trade market, keep this name in mind. Nestrašil might get a look in that role when his college season ends this year.

2. Ryan Roobroeck, W

6-4, 215DOB: Sept. 25, 2007Shoots: LeftAcquired: 2nd round (No. 65) — 2026 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from New Jersey in pick swap)

Y’all want a big winger who likes to shoot the puck? Roobroeck fell into the early second round of the 2026 NHL Draft, and the Blackhawks traded up to get him. He’s been on fire to start the new season with his new team, Memorial Cup host Guelph. He’s tied for the OHL lead with 12 goals — scoring at a better than one goal per game pace thus far. He’s doing it on both special teams as well; two of his goals are short-handed (tied for second in the OHL). He’s got size and can skate. This could be prove to be a tremendous pick for the Hawks.

3. Nick Lardis, W

6-0, 165Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2023 NHL DraftSIGNED

We’re putting Lardis back in the prospect category at this point because he’s an IceHogs — for now. He’s off to a nice start for Rockford, averaging better than a point per game. The offense as a whole has been underwhelming for the Hogs to start the season. I’d like to see more from Lardis, who’s likely disappointed he isn’t in Chicago right now.

4. Xavier Villeneuve, LHD

5-11, 165DOB: Sept. 29, 2007Shoots: LeftAcquired: 2nd round (No. 34) — 2026 NHL Draft

Villeneuve’s size was the biggest factor in him falling out of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. He’s skating at a program that has a great track record of developing undersized defensemen, and the start of his freshman season has been as good as advertised. Villeneuve has been skating primarily in a secondary role on the BU blue line, but he was the Freshman of the Week last week in Hockey East after posting a three-assist game. He’s got plenty of time to grow and develop, but the ceiling could be extremely high here.

5. Jiří Felcman, C

6-4, 200DOB: April 17, 2005Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 93) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Arizona (Utah) in pick swap)SIGNED

Felcman got some attention from the organization last year with a nice season overseas and then got a little run in Rockford at the end of the year that added to the intrigue. He’s a center with really good size and plays a responsible game. I already noted that the offense hasn’t popped in Rockford, but he’s off to a really good start to his first full season on this side of the pond. I liked what I saw at the prospect showcase practices and games. He’s getting more intriguing with time.

6. 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

The numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away thus far in Rockford, but I’m keeping Spellacy up on the list because he isn’t a prospect we’re watching for goals. He can fly, he’s big and nasty and plays a responsible game. The NHL roster is full right now, so there’s no rush on him to help the Blackhawks. I remain a big Spellacy fan.

7. John Mustard, W

6-1, 196DOB: Aug. 16, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 67) — 2024 NHL Draft

Mustard’s a great skater whose offense took a nice step forward last season at Providence. He’s off to a nice start in his junior season at Providence, averaging a point per game. The Blackhawks flirted with him turning pro after last year, but he’s getting another year in college to mature more. There’s a lot to like in his game.

8. Nathan Behm, RW

6-2, 208DOB: April 18, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2025 NHL Draft

Behm has terrific size and put up really good numbers in the WHL the past two seasons. He opted to go the college route and joined an Arizona State program that was an absolute tire fire off the ice. The Sun Devils made a coaching change after the start of the season, bringing in a marvelous, experienced leader in Dave Hakstol. I love that move for Behm’s development. And the goals are still coming for him in the college ranks. He’s off to a nice start to his freshman year.

9. Joel Svensson, RW

6-1, 194DOB: April 15, 2005Shoots: RightAcquired: 5th round (No. 138) — 2024 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Calgary in R. Carpenter trade)

Svensson was a late-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft who really turned some heads late last season. I included him in our top 20 before the season began because I like the skill package he presents, even if the numbers last year didn’t blow anyone away. Well, a month into the season, the numbers are now blowing people away. He’s already sprinted past his point total from last season in 16 games, putting up 27 points already! There’s a huge up arrow next to Svensson right now.

10. Samu Alalauri, RHD

6-2, 220DOB: May 31, 2008Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2026 NHL Draft

I was a huge fan of this pick in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft when it happened. And then we met Alalauri at development camp and his sense of humor got everyone’s attention. We’ve talked about the Blackhawks lacking right-handed defensemen in the pipeline, but Alalauri is a big one in that category. He’s also showed a willingness to shoot the puck frequently as a freshman defenseman in Hockey East — a good test for a player coming over from Finland. I like what I’ve seen thus far.

11. Drew Commesso, G

6-2, 180Acquired: 2nd round (No. 46) — 2020 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Vegas in M. Subban trade)SIGNED

Commesso continues to work on his game in Rockford while Spencer Knight and Arvid Söderblom hold the depth chart at the NHL level. He’s going to be an NHL goalie soon, and a pretty good one. His numbers aren’t overwhelming to start this season, but I’m not concerned at all.

12. Mason West, C/W

6-6, 225DOB: Aug. 3, 2007Shoots: RightAcquired: 1st round (No. 29) — 2025 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Carolina in pick swap)

West is on a stacked Michigan State roster full of players already drafted by NHL teams, many of whom were first-round picks. He’s skating in a depth role right now and has been the physical force you’d hope for a guy with his size. He had an impressive camp with USA Hockey this summer, so hopefully we get to see him at the World Junior Championship after Christmas.

13. Taige Harding, LHD

6-7, 237DOB: Jan. 3, 2002Shoots: LeftAcquired: 3rd round (No. 91) — 2021 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Carolina in pick swap)SIGNED

Harding is an enormous defenseman who plays with an edge — which lots of hockey fans will like on face value. But he was identified by the Blackhawks’ brass and IceHogs head coach Jared Nightingale as one of the guys who really took a big step forward last year. It was noteworthy that he wore the C for the Hawks at this year’s prospect showcase against the St. Louis Blues — where, yes, he dropped the gloves. He’s a little older, but that doesn’t matter if he can play. Harding has a big up arrow inside the organization. He just needs room on the NHL roster to matriculate up at some point. I like his game and leadership.

14. 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

It hasn’t been the start to Vanacker’s pro career that he would have hoped, but (again) Rockford’s offense has struggled. He led the OHL in goals last season and is getting acclimated to playing against bigger, stronger, older competition. He slides a little in our rankings here, but the production will come.

15. Gavin Hayes, LW

6-1, 177DOB: May 14, 2004Shoots: RightAcquired: 3rd round (No. 66) — 2022 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Montreal in K. Dach trade)SIGNED

I’ve written this before, but a good Hayes comp for Blackhawks fans to me is Troy Brouwer. That’s starting to look and feel more accurate with Hayes being one of the few guys in Rockford putting up strong offensive numbers this season. Finally being healthy has undoubtedly played a role in his strong start to the season; he looked good at times last year but got hurt. I’ve always had time for Hayes, and he’s looking like a guy more now.

16. Julius Sumpf, C/W

6-2, 195DOB: Jan. 11, 2005 Shoots: LeftAcquired: 4th round (No. 98) — 2025 NHL Draft

Sumpf was an overage pick out of the QMJHL in 2025 who then took his talents to Providence to work against Hockey East competition. He had a solid freshman season, even if he turned 21 in the middle of it. He’s now centering the second line at Providence and has been the set-up man for a lot of offense to start the season; he’s averaging better than one assist per game. There’s a lot to like about Sumpf as a prospect.

17. Sacha Boisvert, C/W

6-2, 203DOB: March 17, 2006Shoots: LeftAcquired: 1st round (No. 18) — 2024 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Islanders in pick swap)SIGNED

Boisvert projects as a power forward who plays with an edge. He underwhelmed at the Blackhawks’ prospect showcase and hasn’t had the strongest start to his first full pro season in the AHL. Again, the offense as a whole in Rockford hasn’t blown anyone away. But I’d like to see more from him.

18. Adam Gajan, G

6-3, 185DOB: May 6, 2004Acquired: 2nd round (No. 35) — 2023 NHL DraftSIGNED

Gajan rebounded from an injury-impacted freshman year to have a solid sophomore season at Minnesota-Duluth. He started this season getting regular reps in Indy in the ECHL because the Blackhawks’ depth chart in net is pretty loaded right now. Gajan is off to a nice start to his professional career. He still has a high ceiling, and has plenty of time to develop with the guys in front of him on that depth chart.

19. William Sörbrand, C

6-3, 203DOB: March 6, 2008Shoots: LeftAcquired: 7th round (No. 200) — 2026 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from Florida in pick swap)

Sörbrand is a late-round lottery ticket but the traits are what you like: he’s a physical center who’s known to be ruthless on the forecheck and is a big open-ice hitter. Thus far, the returns have likely been better than expected; he’s a point-per-game player with 11 goals in 14 games. Again, there’s no rush to get this kid to the NHL, but for a seventh-round pick I like the upside.

20. Martin Mišiak, W

6-1, 200DOB: Sept. 30, 2004Shoots: RightAcquired: 2nd round (No. 55) — 2023 NHL Draft* (pick acq. from NYR in P. Kane trade)SIGNED

Mišiak’s was considered a skill guy when he was drafted three years ago but he’s making a transition to more of a bottom-six power forward mentality now. He showed very well in the Prospect Showcase games and was talked about as one of the most improved players in Rockford last year by the coaches there. He’s off to a slow start this year, which is disappointing.

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