3 Blackhawks prospects who could earn a roster spot in training camp

The Blackhawks were the youngest team in the league last year, and they still have plenty of prospects yet to see NHL action. With the team looking to take a significant step forward next season, each roster spot becomes even more valuable.

Here are three prospects who I think have the best odds of stealing a spot on opening night.

1. AJ Spellacy

Drafted in the third round in 2024, 20-year-old AJ Spellacy clocks in at 6'3, 204 pounds. He was drafted to be a wrecking ball in the bottom six. Spellacy played last season in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires, where he put up 32 points in 51 games and 63 penalty minutes. The 2026-27 season will be his first as a pro, either with the Blackhawks or the Rockford IceHogs.

Where Spellacy most impressed me (and plenty of others) was at the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he notched 4 points in 5 games with Team USA. At times, he was the most noticeable player on the ice, hitting anything that moved. For Spellacy, standing out on a USA Team with James Hagens, Cole Hutson, and Chase Reid is impressive.

The only things standing in Spellacy's way of making the Blackhawks this September are the additions of Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway. Two NHL veterans who play a similar brand of hockey to Spellacy. What once was a relatively clear path to fill a hole in the Hawks' lineup is now filled with veteran talent.

2. Drew Commesso

Drew Commesso has already shown Blackhawks fans and the management team what he can do at the NHL level. Commesso appeared in three NHL games last season, going 2-1-0 with a .918 SV%, a 2.31 GAA, and notched a shutout.

From that point on, Hawks fans were calling for Commesso to overtake Arvid Soderblom as backup. In my opinion, Commesso is the most likely candidate to steal a spot this September.

Last season in the AHL was a down year for Commesso. Playing 37 games, going 13-20-2, and putting up a .901 SV% on a Rockford team that really struggled. If you take away Commesso's two NHL appearances in the 2024-2025 season, he hasn't posted a season save percentage below .900 since playing for the USHL's U17 team in 2019-2020.

With Soderblom only having one more season on his deal, and Commesso recently signing a two-year extension with the second year being a one-way deal, it is likely the Blackhawks plan to have Commesso become a full-time NHL backup in the 2027-2028 season. However, the role is certainly up for grabs this season.

3. Marek Vanacker

Marek Vanacker just wrapped up his 20-year-old season in the OHL, where he led the league with 47 goals. Vanacker totaled 82 points in 60 games with the Brantford Bulldogs, plus 18 points in 15 playoff games. The 2024 27th overall pick will turn pro this upcoming season, either with the Rockford IceHogs or the Chicago Blackhawks.

For Vanacker, the odds of earning a roster spot are low, but like Spellacy, Sacha Boisvert, and others, he still has a chance. Vanacker is a goal scorer. As mentioned before, he led the OHL in goals last season.

The Blackhawks need more scoring, especially to start the season before Connor Bedard returns from injury. An opportunity for Vanacker to take advantage of.

Standing at 6'1, Vanacker brings size, something the Blackhawks need more of in their forward core. Having not gone to College to play against older competition, Vanacker is coming from junior hockey. CHL to NHL isn't an easy transition. Vanacker likely will need time in the AHL before jumping to the best league in the world.

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