Three Chicago Blackhawks Prospects Close to Making the Jump from College

The 2023-24 NHL regular season is less than a month from concluding, but there is still plenty more to discuss in these final weeks.

Many college prospects sign their entry-level contracts this time of year once their team's season ends. Some sign earlier than others, depending on whether or not their team qualifies for the playoffs. Top prospects who are signed early enough can also get the chance to play a few games in the NHL before the season ends, giving the team a better idea of where the player is at in their development.

There are numerous Blackhawks prospects playing college hockey that could be knocking on the door of turning professional after their season is finished. The Blackhawks have already begun signing players to their ELC (entry-level contract) such as Landon Slaggert from Notre Dame (NCAA), who has played four games since being signed. Other prospects in recent seasons have come to Chicago right out of college and saw a few games in the NHL, with Wyatt Kaiser signing from Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) last season and Alex Vlasic from Boston University (NCAA) the season before.

Some prospects, however, likely will stay in college for at least another year to further their development before becoming full-time professionals.

Players such as Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel from the University of Minnesota (NCAA) are expected to return after their promising freshman seasons. However, there are a few young players in the Blackhawks farm system who could be ready to take the next step in their development and sign their entry-level contracts once their college seasons are over.

Frank Nazar III

Frank Nazar is one of the best young players in the Blackhawks system, with a toss-up between him and Oliver Moore for the top spot in the prospect pool. He was considered a possible draft steal when the Blackhawks selected him 13th overall in the 2022 NHL draft, after acquiring the pick from Montreal for Kirby Dach. His freshman season was limited to only 13 games after undergoing hip surgery for a nagging injury, tallying 7 points. However, Nazar has bounced back greatly in his second season with Michigan, currently sitting at 37 points in 37 games.

Nazar is a highly skilled forward who was drafted as a center but also plays right wing. He is a gifted skater who can often trick defenders with his footwork. When Kyle Davidson took over as the Blackhawks' General Manager, he emphasized drafting players who were excellent skaters, leading Nazar to be the first forward selected by Chicago in 2022.

Another strong aspect of Nazar's game is his playmaking ability, with 23 of his 37 points this season are assists. His playmaking was displayed at the recent World Junior Championships, where Nazar had eight assists in seven games en route to winning the Gold Medal. Despite being a smaller forward at 5'10 175lbs, the Blackhawks' current roster does not have many players who can think the game like Nazar does, with his hockey IQ being a valuable asset to his game.

Nazar and his teammates will be playing their rival Michigan State in the Big 10 Hockey Championship, facing off against 2024 top draftee Artyom Levshunov. If Nazar does sign with the Blackhawks after his season, he might get into a few of the final remaining games to see if he's truly ready for the NHL.

Aidan Thompson

Aidan Thompson is in an interesting situation as he finishes his sophomore season at the University of Denver (NCAA). Selected with the 90th pick in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Thompson was an overage player who was eligible for the previous two drafts but went undrafted. He entered his draft-plus-one year as a 20-year-old freshman with Denver, where he tallied 32 points in 32 games on a contending squad.

This season, Thompson's offense has seen a dip with 28 points in 38 games, but has been more consistent throughout the year after a slow start. The 5'11 170lbs centerman fits the mold of a Kyle Davidson draft pick, playing a faced paced game with high intensity and defensive responsibility.

At 22 years old, Thompson is around the age when a lot of college prospects begin to take the next step into professional hockey. Ultimately, his NHL future will depend on how well his game translates to the pros in Rockford (AHL), which is where he will likely play for a season or two.

With a lot of young talent coming to the IceHogs next season, Thompson could be a part of that youth movement. His game is well-rounded and he has the capabilities of a bottom-six forward in the NHL, and he may be the next prospect in line to sign their entry-level contract.