Nolan Allan gets a solid B to start the season.
After spending the entire season in the AHL last year, Allan impressed once again in training camp and made the team on opening night.
Allan has had moments where he truly looks like a rookie in the NHL, and there is no problem with that. There have been times when he's been outmuscled to a puck or caught in his end a little too long, but those are expected areas for a rookie to grow upon.
In his short time in the NHL, Allan is already looking more situated and has been a solid defender for the team. He plays a sound game and is a smart player who does the little things that often go unnoticed.
If there comes a point where Allan looks overwhelmed, he can go back to Rockford like Kaiser did and develop his game with the valuable experience he's earned this year. Though, the day has not yet come to have those discussions as Allan has looked NHL-ready since day one.
Alex Vlasic's early season rating is an A.
Despite only being in his second full season, it feels as though Vlasic is an established veteran in the NHL. That is because of how good he has been since becoming a full-time NHL'er.
Looking to build off his stellar rookie year in 2023-24, Vlasic has taken his game even further and has been great for the Blackhawks this season.
With seven points in 15 games, Vlasic's offensive game has improved as he has become a consistent presence on the power play and the attack at 5-on-5.
The 23-year-old has grown into a two-way threat for the Blackhawks and has impressed at both ends of the ice. He has deservedly become one of the team's most relied-upon players and brings hope as a future cornerstone of the organization.
An honorable mention who deserves praise this season is Arvid Soderblom, who has been fantastic early on and may be worthy of his article entirely.