NHL draft rights deadline puts pressure on the Blackhawks to make a move

The Chicago Blackhawks have made 30 selections at the NHL Draft in the past three years, and while a handful of players have already hit the ice with the Hawks, some have yet to make an impact on the organization.

The Chicago Blackhawks are set to lose the rights to four prospects this June.

The Blackhawks have four prospects who have not yet been signed by the organization who they are about to lose their rights to on July 1.

Per Puck Pedia, Alex Pharand, Marcel Marcel, Victor Stjernborg and Milton Oscarson are all set to have their rights expired on June 1.

The Blackhawks drafted Pharand, 20, in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. The 6'3" forward played this past season in the OHL for the Sudbury Wolves registering 17 goals and 59 points in 65 games.

Marcel, 21, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He has played the last two seasons in Rockford on an AHL deal and has no really stood out registering just 5 goals and 13 points in 41 games this past season with the IceHogs.

Stjernborg, 22, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft. The forward registered nine points in 37 games in the SHL this past season.

Oscarson, 22, was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. In 52 games in the SHL, he registered 5 goals and 11 points.

Earlier this month, The Athletic's Scott Powers reported the Blackhawks were not expected to offer contracts to any of the four prospects before the June 1 deadline.

While the Blackhawks might be losing the rights of these prospects, there are still a handful of prospects in the organization to get excited about, including even more on the way when the 2025 NHL Draft takes place this June.