Grading the Chicago Blackhawks' Young Players 15 Games Into the Season

Wyatt Kaiser's early season grade is a B+

After spending some extended time in Rockford (AHL) last season, Kaiser is looking like a much different player than at the beginning of last season.

Lately seeing more time in the Blackhawks' top-four alongside Seth Jones, Kaiser is becoming a relied-upon member of the team's defense core as a 22-year-old.

Despite only having one assist in fourteen games, the young defender has shown sound defensive instincts and aggressiveness in the defensive zone. His confidence is showing as he continues to develop his game at the NHL level.

The smooth skating Kaiser looks much more poised and acclimated to professional play which is mainly in-part to his time spent in the AHL. With the progress he's shown since last year, Kaiser is a bright spot on the Blackhawks' roster.

Lukas Reichel's grade is a B+

Going into this season, there was no guarantee that Lukas Reichel was going to have a spot on the Blackhawks roster. He even spent the first few games as a healthy scratch before making his debut in the home-opener.

Since being a healthy scratch, Reichel has not looked back and is showing the confidence that was lost last season.

Mainly centering Pat Maroon and Craig Smith, Reichel has tallied one goal and six points through eleven games. His play has also rewarded him with consistent power play time and looks in the top six.

Reichel's speed is arguably his best asset and he's used it to his advantage this season as he creates offense on a much more consistent basis.

If Reichel is able to keep up his play, his future with the team will be in a much better place than it was a couple of months ago,