Numbers 10-1: Ranking the top 10 prospects in the Chicago Blackhawks pipeline

Last time, we went over the first half of the top-20 prospects in the Blackhawks organization. Today, we will go over the top 10 as we get into discussing more exciting prospects that could be future stars in Chicago.

Some time has passed since the NHL draft and teams now are preparing for their development camps to see their new prospects in action. The Chicago Blackhawks added a plethora of talent to their pool once again this summer which means it is time to update the list of top prospects within the organization. 

Blackhawks prospects from No. 10 to No. 1 ranked

10. Drew Commesso: G, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

This past season saw Drew Commesso get his first taste of NHL action where he got into two games for the Blackhawks, one of which he was the starter. His play in the AHL until that point had not been up to the standard that the organization knows Commesso is capable of playing to, but it was his play after his NHL call-up that turned his season around.

A right-ankle sprain kept Commesso out of the IceHogs for a short period of time, though he came back from injury looking like himself once again. His play during the back half of the season was stellar as Commesso was giving the IceHogs a chance to win every night, finishing the season with a .911 save percentage in 39 starts before going 4-3 with a .926 save percentage in the AHL playoffs.

9. Ethan Del Mastro: D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

After spending the better part of two seasons in the AHL, it looks as though Ethan Del Mastro is ready to battle it out in training camp for a full-time position in the NHL.

His rookie season in Rockford was a pleasant surprise with 37 points in 69 games, but this season he did not see those same point totals as he was in a different role where he was relied upon much less to produce offense. Through 47 games in the AHL, Del Mastro tallied nine points.

However, that is not to say Del Mastro had a bad season; he saw a 24-game stint with the Blackhawks, where he rarely looked out of place and proved he is ready for the next step in his development. He is a steady defender who uses his size well along the boards and has taken strides in transition as well. As a left-handed player, his ability to comfortably play on the left and right side makes him a versatile option for the Blackhawks going forward.

8. Sacha Boisvert: C, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Sacha Boisvert had himself a promising freshman season for North Dakota, where he scored 18 goals and 32 points over 37 games played. His goal scoring ability has been a prevalent part of his game at every level he plays at and it seems the NCAA is no different.

The 19-year old is a 6'2" center who plays an all around game with an added physical play that should make Blackhawks fans excited for his arrival in Chicago. His wrist shot is deceptive as he is able to find openings with pinpoint accuracy. He also brings a high hockey-IQ which he uses effectively in both zones to always be in a good position as he looks to drive play up the ice.

This season, Boisvert is transferring to Boston University after a coaching change at North Dakota. He will likely spent the full season at BU before signing his entry-level contract and switching to professional hockey.

7. Roman Kantserov: LW/RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Roman Kantserov might be the most underrated prospect in the Blackhawks' organization after he took a major step forward in the KHL this season. The 5'9" winger posted 38 points in 47 KHL games, which is especially impressive when considering how difficult it is for young players to earn their ice time in the KHL.

The 20-year old Kantserov is a shifty winger who plays bigger than he is and uses a strong center of gravity to win puck battles and shield opponents away. His offensive skillset includes his playmaking ability and quick hands that he uses to create chances for himself and his teammates alike.

Kantserov is signed for one more season in the KHL where he is expected to play out his contract before coming over to North America and sign with the Blackhawks where he will be a strong candidate to make the NHL as soon as he arrives.

6. Kevin Korchinski: D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Kevin Korchinski has become one of the more divisive prospects in the organization after some fans beginning to have doubts about his long-term potential and if he'll be able to pan out like the Blackhawks expect him to. He spent this season primarily with the IceHogs where he was given the opportunity to play more minutes and is every position to better round out his game and develop him in a similar way to how Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser were when they were in the AHL.

The tools have always been there with Korchinski, the skating and natural puck moving ability are what made the Blackhawks' select him seventh-overall in the 2022 draft. With the IceHogs he worked on being more aggressive in the defensive zone and using his size to his advantage which he showed during a 16-game stint with the Blackhawks that was met with ups and downs.

However, Korchinski's play elevated in the AHL playoffs as he started to put everything together and looked like a more complete player who was making his impact in every game. It seems as though Korchinski will need more time to develop as he rounds out his play, but he is on the right track and is showing signs of improvement as a two-way defender.

5. Oliver Moore: C, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Without a doubt the fastest skater in the organization, Oliver Moore made the jump to professional hockey after his sophomore season in the NCAA and looked like an NHL regular from day one. His season at the university of Minnesota saw him tally 33 points in 38 games which was not quite the production Moore had hoped for, considering how many chances he was creating each game. Though, in the NHL he played in nine games at the end of the season where he had two assists, and routinely used his world-class speed to his advantage.

Moore is a playmaker who primarily played center in college, but saw time on the wing in the NHL. It is unclear as of now if the Blackhawks plan on having him be a winger long-term or not, but his ability to effectively play both gives them more options. He has a high motor that he uses in both the offensive and defensive zones to compete for pucks and set up his teammates.

Based on how he played in the NHL at the end of the season, Moore should be in the running for a full-time roster spot on the Blackhawks in training camp this year. Though, the team may put him in Rockford to start the year, similarly to Frank Nazar, and give him the chance once he has proven to be ready for the next step beyond the AHL.

4. Nick Lardis: RW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

After the season Nick Lardis has in the OHL, it would be criminal to leave him outside the top five of this list. The former third-round pick had an incredible final season of junior hockey where in 65 games he scored 71 goals and 46 assists for 117 points, putting himself in elite company as one of few players to score over 70 goals in an OHL season.

Lardis is a fast winger with an elite shot who excels at creating chances off the rush. He has always been a dangerous goal-scorer who has an eye for finding the right areas to put himself in. His high-end speed has been on full display throughout his time in the OHL as he uses it to blow by defenders in the offensive zone to generate high-danger chances.

As he goes into professional hockey this season, there is a chance he impresses enough to earn a look in the NHL this season. Though, it would not be surprising if he were to start out the season in the AHL with the IceHogs to get him acclimated to the next level before making the jump to the NHL.

3. Anton Frondell: C, Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan)

Anton Frondell makes his way into the top three after being selected third-overall in the 2025 NHL draft. The Swedish center has a rough start to the year, but truly elevated his game in the second half where he saw his draft stock rise back to where is was expected to be at the start of the season.

His 25 points in 29 Allsvenskan league games is among elite production for draft-eligible players and he even produced at a higher rate than Bruins star David Pastrnak in his draft year playing in the same league.

Frondell is a player who matured physically at a young age and he uses is extremely well as he is very difficult to knock off the puck. He brings an all-around game with a physical edge that should make him a very solid player in the NHL at the very least.

His shot is already NHL-caliber and his one-timer will be a usefull asset on the power play for the Blackhawks going forward.

Many have compared him to Sacha Barkov on the Florida Panthers as Frondell has mentioned himself that he models his game after him as a two-way player who can also take over a game offensively.

Frondell has signed his entry-level contract and is expected to return to Sweden for this season before coming over to play in the NHL.

2. Sam Rinzel: D, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Sam Rinzel is a player many Blackhawks fans are excited to see in the NHL full-time next season. He joined the Blackhawks at the end of the season where he posted five assists in nine games and looked as though he is already more than capable to making an impact at the NHL level.

After being drafted as a project defenseman who would take more time than most to develop, Rinzel has taken steps quickly during his time in the NCAA where he showed great mobility for a player his size (6'4" 190 pounds) and an excellent transition game. He is a smart player who uses his size and footwork to make separations and defend off the rush.

This season, it seems to be all but confirmed that Rinzel will play the full season in the NHL. He played significant minutes right away for the Blackhawks and he took those responsibilities in stride and looks like he can be a major part of the team going forward.

1. Artyom Levshunov: D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Artyom Levshunov once again remains as the top prospect in the Blackhawks' pipeline after spending time with both the IceHogs and Blackhawks last season. While it took some time for him to get used to the AHL, once he found his game he began looking like the player that was taken second-overall.

With 22 points in 52 AHL games, Levshunov showed improvements throughout the season and began producing much more around the time he was called up to the Blackhawks. The way he jumps into the play in the offensive zone has made him a contributor at every level and it started yeilding positive results for him as the season went on.

Defensively, he still has some work to do with rounding out his game. However, he took steps in that area of his game this season and he did not look completely out of place in the NHL. He played 18 games in the NHL this season where he tallied 6 points and is looking to cement his place in the NHL full-time this season.

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