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This Young Prospect Has Become Very Underrated in the Blackhawks System

Roman Kantserov 2023-24 Prospect Profile

By Ethan Gawronski |
2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Portraits
2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Portraits / Terry Wyatt/GettyImages
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Heading into the 2023 NHL Draft, it was well known that Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson was looking to add more highly skilled forwards to his prospect pool. In his first draft as General Manager (2022), Davidson used nine of his eleven selections on forwards. While that gave the Blackhawks a greater abundance of forwards in the system, what they still lacked was players with true high-end talent. After selecting Connor Bedard first overall and Oliver Moore nineteenth overall in the first round of 2023, the Blackhawks looked toward adding more firepower in the remaining rounds of the draft.

After initially owning four second-round picks, the Blackhawks traded the 51st overall selection to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 167th pick and a 2023 second round pick, which originally belonged to the Los Angeles Kings. With one of their remaining three selections in the second round, the Blackhawks drafted Roman Kantserov 44th overall.

The 5'9 176lbs winger is on the smaller side, but is a shifty and talented playmaker who shined playing overseas in Russia's top junior league (MHL). During his draft year, Kantserov posted 54 points in 45 games for Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk of the MHL. He also made his way into a KHL game for Metallurg Magnitogorsk where he did not tally a point. NHL Central Scouting had Kantserov as the 16th best European skater in the draft. He is a smart forward with a high hockey IQ who has been able to score at every level he's played in.

Kantserov's Post-Draft Season:

In his first season after being drafted by the Blackhawks, Kantserov has played the entire season for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL. Regarded as the second best league in the world behind the NHL, the KHL has always been a tough league for young forwards as they struggle to play consistent minutes. The transition to professional play is not always easy for young players, and the KHL values results which leads to many getting minimal playing time or being sent back to the MHL.

Kantserov has shown flashes this season of his high skill-level with some fantastic playmaking which has resulted in him getting chances on the team's first line at times. He ended the regular season with 15 points in 54 games which are respectable numbers for a teenager playing in a league where each minute is earned. His recent play during the playoffs has taken a step as he currently has 6 points in 11 playoff games.

Kantserov's play this season led to the young forward extending for two more seasons in the KHL right around Christmas.

What is Kantserov's Future with the Blackhawks?

Roman Kantserov caught the eye of the Blackhawks scouting staff for his natural abilities with the puck and smart play, leading to him raising eyebrows amongst his KHL organization as well. Now that he is signed through the 2025-26 season in Russia, he will be playing professionally until he comes over to the NHL. Some may be disappointed that his arrival in North America is now delayed, but he should hopefully be able to establish himself even further in another top professional league.

At just 19 years-old, Kantserov has been impressive in his first KHL season, proving that he is a very talented offensive player who could just be scratching the surface of his overall potential. When the time comes for him to make the jump to the NHL, the Blackhawks will be adding a player who has already been playing pro hockey for multiple years and will be nearing his 22nd birthday when his KHL contract expires.

Kantserov looks the part of a potential middle-six scoring winger in the NHL with the upside of finding a role in the top-six. His shiftiness and hockey IQ is among the best in the Blackhawks prospect pool which would be a welcomed addition to the roster when he comes over. When he joins the Blackhawks, the team should be about ready to turn the corner and become a competitive team once again, and adding a player of Kantserov's caliber will add even more skill alongside the likes of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Lukas Reichel, and future Blackhawks draft picks.

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