We continue with the Chicago Blackhawks top-25 prospects list.
The Blackhawks’ prospect pool has become one of the deepest in the NHL over the past few seasons. Because of this, many prospects could be interchanged with another for a particular spot on the list.
It is a good problem to have for the Blackhawks, as most teams in the league would like to have a deep prospect pool. This is where the list begins to get interesting, so let’s get into the next five players on the Blackhawks top prospects list.
Landon Slaggert was able to get a taste of NHL action this past season after completing his senior season at Notre Dame (NCAA). The 22-year-old scored one goal and added three assists in 16 games with the Blackhawks.
Ever since his freshman season at Notre Dame, fans have wondered when Slaggert would sign his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. His 22 points in 25 games during his freshman year were enough to earn him a spot on the 2021 Team USA World Juniors roster where he won a gold medal.
After having a down-season of only 13 points in 35 games, Slaggert decided to stay at Notre Dame and finish out his senior year. His scoring came back in a big way, with the South Bend, Indiana, native scoring 20 goals in 36 games.
LANDON SLAGGERT HAS AN NHL GOAL, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/voozYKbAl8
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) April 11, 2024
Slaggert’s game is headlined by his work ethic.
He is the type of player who isn’t afraid to go into the corners and retrieve pucks. It will be interesting to see how his offense translates to the professional game. He has shown the ability to score goals in the NCAA, but whether or not he can continue to score at the next level will show his true potential.
Going into the 2024-25 season, Slaggert will be fighting for a roster spot out of training camp. He was able to fill in the bottom six once he joined the Blackhawks, but the added forward depth on the roster could result in him starting the season in Rockford (AHL).
Slaggert’s development will be interesting to watch this season. If he hits his potential, he has the potential to become an effective bottom-six winger in the NHL.
No. 14: Ryan Greene (2022 Draft: Round 2 #57 overall)
Fresh off his sophomore year at Boston University (NCAA), Ryan Greene looked like a player who could be ready to sign his rookie contract and become a professional player.
After two strong seasons at BU, Greene has established himself as an all-around player with a good scoring touch. This past season, he had 36 points in 40 NCAA games where he primarily played second-line center behind 2024 first-overall pick, Macklin Celebrini.
Greene is a good two-way center with strong puck-handling ability. He is an active player at both ends of the ice and utilizes his speed to make an impact. Greene’s skating and playmaking ability are two strengths of his that make him a versatile player. His hockey IQ is another strong area of his game which makes him a reliable center.
Despite likely being ready for professional hockey, Greene has decided to return to BU for another season. Once his season in the NCAA concludes, he may sign his entry-level contract and join the Hawks’ AHL team, the Rockford IceHogs.
No. 13: Marek Vanacker (2024 Draft: Round 1 #27 overall)
Selected with the Blackhawks’ third pick in the first round of the 2024 draft, Marek Vanacker is a fun player to watch with a lot of potential.
Playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL, alongside fellow Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis, Vanacker tallied 86 points in 68 games. His scoring ability has shown great strides at the junior level as his speed, work ethic, and puck-handling ability have made him a standout performer in the OHL.
Vanacker’s offense could have gone even higher had he not played the entire season with a torn labrum, making him an exciting player to follow when he is healthy again next season.
The speed and offensive capabilities of Vanacker had Blackhawks’ fans making comparisons to a young Brandon Saad, who also used his speed and solid frame well. The young winger stands at 6-feet-tall and 179 pounds, giving him good size with even more room to grow.
Vanacker’s potential could be much higher than it already is, a healthy season from him will show just what kind of player he might be in the future.
No. 12: Nolan Allan (2021 Draft: Round 1 #32 overall)
Nolan Allan is a player who seems to get overlooked in the Blackhawks system, but that does not make him a lesser prospect.
Allan is coming off his debut season with the IceHogs where he tallied 16 points in 60 games. Scoring has never been what Allan’s game is about, as the left-handed defender is a true shut-down defenseman and has been ever since he was drafted.
Playing top minutes in Rockford this season, Allan was one of the IceHogs’ top defenders before going down to a lower-body injury in April. His skating and hockey IQ have always been a strength of Allan’s game as he is a very smart defender who plays a simple game.
Last season, Allan was one of the final cuts from the Blackhawks roster in preseason and he earned a lot of respect from the coaching staff for his composed play style. The six-foot, two-inch defender uses his size well and plays a game that might not get all the glory, similar to Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson.
Allan may find himself fighting for a roster spot again this season, though he may spend another full season in Rockford to polish his game before making the jump to the NHL.
Nolan Allan vs. Ryan O’Rourke pic.twitter.com/G7zdRRhhRN
— Joe Brand (@Joe_Brand1) September 17, 2023
No. 11: Wyatt Kaiser (2020 Draft: Round 3 #81)
Wyatt Kaiser was close to being left off this list due to the amount of NHL games he’s played, but we decided to keep him on because he has not played a full season yet.
After three seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA), Kaiser’s arrival in Chicago was highly anticipated. He impressed at the collegiate level due to his strong skating ability and composure at both ends of the ice. The left-handed defenseman played with lots of poise and showed solid offensive promise as well.
During last year’s preseason, Kaiser looked like one of the Blackhawks’ best players and a shoo-in to make the roster out of training camp. However, it was clear early in the season that he needed some time to develop. He began taking more penalties and looked overwhelmed at times.
Kaiser was sent to Rockford where he played 34 games, tallying 18 points. The approach was to give him the chance to play in all situations for the IceHogs to help grow his game, similar to what Alex Vlasic did during the 2022-23 season.
Once he came back up to the Blackhawks, Kaiser looked much better. He played much more calm and was smarter about his decision making. This is why he could challenge for a full-time spot out of camp once again.
Kaiser looks like he could be a reliable NHL defenseman, and it seems the team believes he can become that as well. He will be a player to watch throughout training camp to see if he earns a spot for himself.
