Ranking the Chicago Blackhawks' Top 25 Prospects: No's 6-10

No. 8: Roman Kantserov (2023 Draft: Round 2 #44 overall)

Roman Kantserov made a name for himself this season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), widely regarded as the second-best league in the world behind the NHL.

After a strong draft season in the MHL, the Russian junior league, Kantserov played the entirety of the 2023-24 season for Metallurg Magnitogorsk where he tallied 15 points in 53 games. The KHL is a very difficult league for young players to get playing time, as it is more about results rather than development.

Kantserov earned his coach's trust and found himself playing higher in the lineup come playoff time, he posted 13 points in 23 playoff games on a championship winning team.

Despite his smaller stature at 5-foot-9 inches and 176 pounds, Kantserov plays a shifty game and uses his skill to evade bodychecks in the corners. He is very skilled with the puck on his stick and shows good creativity as a playmaker. His natural skill and willingness to commit to a two-way game is promising as the young forward continues to improve his game.

Kantserov is under contract in the KHL until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season (subscription required), but will be more acclimated to the professional game when he comes over to the NHL. The question will be how his game translates to the North American game.