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

We are back with yet another edition of the Blackhawks' top-25 prospect rankings, and now it's time to enter the top-10.

When looking at the numerous prospects affiliated with the Blackhawks, it is clear to see the amount of talent that is waiting in the system. Many of these young players exhibit true NHL potential as they look to become integral parts in the next wave of Blackhawks' hockey.

Players on the current roster such as Connor Bedard are already giving fans a glimpse of what the next generation has to offer. More and more players are going to be graduating from prospects to hopeful NHL regulars over the next few seasons. While not every prospect will be ready for the NHL in 2024-25, there is still lots to be hopeful for in Chicago.

Let's get into the next five Blackhawks' prospects as we begin the top 10.

No. 10: Adam Gajan (2023 Draft: Round 2 #35 overall)

The first goaltender selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, Adam Gajan starts off the top-10 list.

Gajan was a high riser, he went undrafted in his first year of eligibility while playing in Slovakia. He came over to North America for the 2022-23 season where he played in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He was a late addition to Team Slovakia for the 2023 World Junior Championships, where he shined.

After upsetting Team USA and shutting out Team Latvia, Gajan's draft stock rose much higher than where it was before the tournament. This led to the Blackhawks selecting him early in the second round.

Gajan had an up-and-down 2023-24 season with a 23-12-4 record and a .893 save percentage for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL). This is not to say Gajan underperformed this season, as the USHL is not a very forgiving league for developing goaltenders. He did return to the World Juniors for Team Slovakia in 2024, where he posted a very respectable 3-1 record with a .916 save percentage.

This season, Adam Gajan is going to join the University of Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA, a much better league for his development. He has the raw talent that makes him a tantalizing goalie, his 6-foot-3 inch frame and his impressive athleticism were enough to convince the Blackhawks to select him early in the draft. He is going to be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on as he joins the college ranks.

No. 9: Drew Commesso (2020 Draft: Round 2 #46 overall)

Both of the Blackhawks' top goaltending prospects find their way into our top 10 with Drew Commesso at number nine.

Coming off his debut season in Rockford (AHL), the 22-year-old Commesso showed promise as he got better and more consistent down the stretch. He finished the year with an 18-16-4 record and a .906 save percentage. Though those numbers aren't world-beating, having a save percentage above .900 as a rookie in professional hockey is solid work.

After finding his footing better in the latter half of the season, Commesso posted a .915 in three playoff games with the IceHogs, going 1-3.

Commesso has decent size for a goaltender at 6-foot-2 inches, which might even be considered shorter for a modern-day netminder. Despite not having the same level of natural athleticism as Gajan, Commesso plays a very sound game between the pipes with poised positioning and a calm presence.

This season, the IceHogs will be jam-packed with young players and Commesso is expected to be their starting goalie yet again. Goaltenders usually take longer to develop, so he may spend another two seasons in the AHL before truly being ready for an NHL role full-time.

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.

No. 7: Nick Lardis (2023 Draft: Round 3 #67 overall)

When he was selected early in the third round of the 2023 draft, many immediately called Nick Lardis a steal for the Blackhawks.

Starting his draft season with the Peterborough Pete's (OHL), Lardis was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) and finished the year with 37 goals in 69 games. His speed and great shot made him a no-brainer for the Blackhawks when he was still available at pick 67.

Lardis' 2023-24 season saw him return to the Bulldogs, now playing in Brampton, Ontario. Despite only playing in 37 games due to a wrist injury, Lardis scored 29 goals and 50 points. His strong play resulted in the young forward signing his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

The biggest strengths to Lardis' game are his skating ability and his shot. He is a natural goal scorer who is dangerous from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. Lardis uses his speed and shot to quickly surprise goalies off the rush. Some believe that his speed and shot are already not far off from being NHL caliber.

A weakness of Lardis' game is his defensive play. He has the speed and abilities to grow in that area, but it still needs some refining. That is an area of his game likely to be worked on in his season as he returns to the OHL for his final year of junior hockey.