Ranking the Chicago Blackhawks' Top 25 Prospects: No's. 16-20
The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of exciting young prospects. Here is who we ranked 16-20.
Over the past few seasons, the Chicago Blackhawks have been rapidly rebuilding their prospect pool with hopes of becoming one of the NHL's elite once again. Their "tear-down" method saw the team trade away just about every player with market value in exchange for draft picks. The result of this has been one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, with there being many players who look as though they could become NHL players.
Last week, we began looking at the Blackhawks top 25 prospects, starting with numbers twenty-one through twenty-five.
The Blackhawks have what is called a "good problem" with their prospect pool, that being the sheer amount of prospects they have. While not all of them will become full-time NHL players, Kyle Davidson and his team have still drafted a strong and deep group of young players who are looking to be a part of the next generation of Blackhawks.
Today, we will continue the top-25 prospects list by looking at No's. 16-20.
No. 20: Samuel Savoie (2022 Draft: Round 3 #81 overall)
Samuel Savoie suffered a major setback in the 2023-24 season after breaking his right femur during a preseason game with the Blackhawks. His final season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) saw him play 21 games at the end of the season, tallying 22 points, and also adding 5 points in 10 playoff games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
Savoie has impressed fans and management alike every time he has suited up for a preseason game with the Blackhawks. His speed, tenacity, and physicality make him a noticeable player when he's on the ice. His style of play quickly made fans draw comparisons to former Blackhawk Andrew Shaw.
When Savoie is playing, he looks to make things happen. Whether is a big hit, a fight, or a heavy forecheck, he is trying to make his presence known and get under the skin of the other team.
Despite being lower on this list, Savoie has the potential to be an effective bottom-six player in the NHL. He will be in Rockford this season on a very young IceHogs squad, and Savoie will be an interesting player to watch as the season goes on.
No. 19: Colton Dach (2021 Draft: Round 2 #62 overall)
After and up-and-down rookie season in the AHL, Colton Dach lands at number nineteen on this list.
The younger brother of former Blackhawk Kirby Dach, Colton is a big winger, standing at six-foot, four inches, with a knack for scoring.
In his debut season with the IceHogs, Dach finished with 27 points in 48 games. His first half of the campaign was very strong and made some fans wonder if he would earn a call-up to the NHL. However, he went on concussion protocol in late December and his production hit a wall once he returned.
Injuries are a concern for Dach and have been ever since his time in the juniors. Dach has the tools to be a solid winger in the NHL when healthy.
His skating is below average, but his size and hockey IQ are a strength and have helped him produce at just about every level thus far. His shot is among his best assets and he uses his size well when around the front of the net.
If Dach is able to stay healthy, he could be due for an NHL call-up sooner rather than later. His health and consistency are going to be his biggest hurdles going forward.
No. 18: Martin Misiak (2023 Draft: Round 2 #55 overall)
Martin Misiak finds himself at 18 on this list after a "so-so" 2023-24 season.
The 55th overall pick in the 2023 draft finished his first Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season with 47 points in 60 games for the Eerie Otters.
Misiak is a player who has the tools and is waiting to put it all together. At six-foot, one inch, and 201 pounds, Misiak has the size and skating ability to help him succeed at the next level.
A hard-working winger with good puck handling and a developing two-way game, Misiak shows glimpses of what he could be in the future, but his skills are still a bit raw. With more development, Misiak has the potential to shoot up the rankings in the Blackhawks system.
This season will likely see the young Slovakian winger return to Eerie for his final OHL season before joining the IceHogs in 2025-26. He has a versatile game but needs more time to polish his play style before becoming a professional. However, the tools Misiak has could make him a potential middle-six contributor in the NHL one day.
No. 17: Paul Ludwinski (2022 Draft: Round 2 #39 overall)
Paul Ludwinski has a lot of traits that will likely give him a chance in the NHL. He is a very fast skater who is relentless on the forecheck with an offensive game that started coming along better this past season.
As captain of the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), Ludwinski had 69 points in 60 games and six points in five playoff games. He joined the IceHogs after his season ended in the OHL, going pointless in five games.
Ludwinski is a player who the Blackhawks are very high on due to his work ethic, speed, and leadership abilities. He is a strong competitor who carries himself well on and off the ice and is always working to improve.
His play style could reward him at the pro level, and he is going to be an exciting player to keep track of this season with the IceHogs. Ludwinski is always involved in the play which could make him rise even higher in the prospect pool.
Luwinski remains at No. 17 on this list for now, but his potential shows NHL promise. A good year in the AHL could change everything for the young center.
No. 16: Gavin Hayes (2022 Draft: Round 3 #66 overall)
Gavin Hayes comes in at No. 16 on this list, showing the amount of depth the Blackhawks have in their prospect pool.
Hayes has been a strong scorer at the junior level ever since he was drafted. His production in the OHL has continuously gone up every season, with him scoring 36 points in 27 games with the Flint Firebirds, and then adding 40 points in 28 games after a trade to the Soo Greyhounds.
The skill is apparent with Hayes, he is a player who knows how to put up points and has done so with ease in the OHL, earning him a spot on the 2024 World Juniors roster for team USA. During the tournament, Hayes tallied 2 assists in 7 games on the gold medal winning team.
Hayes' skating is not his strong suit, though his size (six-foot, one inch) and hockey IQ are what make up for it. The question is going to be how well his game translates to the pros.
This season, Hayes will debut with the IceHogs for his professional rookie season. If he is able to produce at a good rate in Rockford, Gavin Hayes could skyrocket up the depth chart for the Blackhawks.