Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Report

With the draft approaching a look at the top 15 prospects in the Hawks organization.

* - Indicates graduating prospect

​1.*William Nylander, C/W, 6'0 190, 5/1/96  Acquired: Draft 1/7 2014

​81GP 22-39-61PT, Playoff: 6GP. 1-3-4 (Toronto, NHL) 

​In his second full NHL season Nylander established himself as one of the elite young players in all of hockey. With off the charts offensive ability he will be a top tier point producer for years to come and could push for 85+ points as early as next season. If he rounds out his game he will be among the top players in all of hockey. He should step into a top-6 role next season

Projected Arrival: 2017-2018 

​2. Mikhail Sergachev, D, 6'3 212, 6/25/98 Acquired: Draft 1/11 2016

​50GP 10-33-43 Playoff: 7GP 1-2-3 (Windsor, OHL) 4GP, 0-0-0 (Montreal, NHL)

​After a very impressive camp and pre season Sergachev started the season as an 18 year old for the Canadiens, no small feat. Upon returning to junior ​he got off to a slow start, as is often the case for players returning late from the NHL. He however really found his stride for the spits after a strong showing for Russia at the WJC. He capped his season with a tournament all-star selection at the memorial cup. Blessed with incredible raw ability he can do it all on the ice and should develop into a top-pair 2 way force.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​3. Pavel Zacha, C/W, 6'3 213, 3/6/97 Acquired:  Trade (TO MTL: Jordan Eberle, Tyler Graovac TO CHI: Zacha, Brady Skjei, Ryan Sproul

​70GP 8-16-24 (New Jersey, NHL)

​Had an up and down rookie year with a terrible New Jersey team. Like Sergachev,Zacha has a ton of raw ability combining size, skating ability, and offensive upside. He also plays a very polished game for such a young player. In time Zacha should develop into a premium 2 way center with the size to match up against the leagues top players. Look for another development year with the Hawks being extremely deep up front.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​4.*Brady Skjei. D, 6'3 206, 3/26/94 Acquired: Trade (TO MTL: Jordan Eberle, Tyler Graovac TO CHI: Skjei, Pavel Zacha, Ryan Sproul

​​80GP 5-34-39 Playoff: 12GP 4-1-5 (NY Rangers, NHL)

Breaking through as a full time player for the Rangers Skjei quickly moved up the depth chart and finished firmly planted in the top-4. He showed the untapped offensive ability people had expected from him nearly hitting the 40 point mark as a rookie. A big very smooth puck moving defenceman he should be a high end 2 way player for a long time in Chicago. He is expected to push hard to crack the teams top-6 next season.

​Projected Arrival: 2017-2018

​5. *Brayden Point, C, 5'11 165, 3/13/96 ​Acquired: Draft 3/81 2014

​68GP 18-22-40 (Tampa Bay, NHL)

In his first pro season Point continued to do what he has done at every level, put up numbers. Despite being undersized Point is fiercely competitive and in addition to high end offensive instincts, he is also a fine two way player. Very strong on the puck for a player his size he should continue add to his offensive output with greater ice time going forward. A jump to 55-60 points is not out of the question for next season. He may be one more year away from cracking a deep Chicago team, however he is expected to push for a spot in camp.

​Projected Arrival: 2017-2018

6. Sam Steel, C, 6'0 180, 2/3/98 Acquired: Draft 1/27 2016

​66GP 50-81-131 Playoff: 23GP 11-19-30 (Regina, WHL)

After being the last cut from the world junior team, all Steel did was come back and make a mockery of one of the best junior leagues on the planet. An elite skater who has the hands to match Steel has huge upside at the pro level. He will certainly be in the mix to make the Ducks next fall, and should he return to the WHL he could put up numbers not seen in the league for a decade. As an NHLer he has easy top-6 upside and could develop into a first line player. He is likely 3-4 years from cracking the Chicago lineup.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​7.*Michael Matheson, D, 6'2 189, 2/27/94 ​Acquired:Trade (TO NYI: Tyler Myers, 3rd round pick TO CHI: Matheson, Zack Kassian)

​81GP 7-10-17 (Florida, NHL)

The fact a player Matheson's calibre is 7 on this list is a testament to the depth in the organization. A top end skater with point producing upside it remains to be seen whether he will realize it at the highest level. Even if he doesnt turn into the 50 point dman he could be, a player who skates like he does will always have a place in an NHL lineup. He will push for a spot in camp.

​Projected Arrival: 2017-2018

​8.*Andreas Athanasiou, LW, 6'2 192, 8/6/94 ​Acquired: Draft 3/74 2014

​64GP 18-11-29 (Detroit, NHL)

A true burner, Athanasiou enjoyed a solid first full time NHL season. He has truly elite speed that allows him to back off defences and show off his high end shot. Needs to work on using that speed in other facets of the game that could elevate him even higher in the lineup. He has the potential to be a 30 goal scorer at the highest level and will compete for a depth spot at camp.

​Projected Arrival: 2017-2018

​9. *Nick Schmaltz, C, 6'0 177, 2/23/96 ​Acquired: Trade (TO NSH: Michael Stone TO CHI: Schmaltz, 3rd round pick, Matt Bartkowski)

​61GP 6-22-28 Playoff: 4GP 0-0-0 (Chicago, NHL) 12GP 6-3-9 (Rockford, AHL)

A slick playmaking center Schmaltz will live and die by his ability to produce and make his linemates better at the NHL level. He is undersized and not a top end skater, but his vision and passing are top notch. He should pile up points on the powerplay and settle into a 2nd line role in the NHL. He is likely a year or two away from competing for a roster spot.

​Projected Arrival: 2018-2019

​10. Luke Kunin,C/W, 6'0 193, 12/4/97 ​Acquired: Trade (TO BUF: Cody Eakin, Roland Mckeown, Conor Garland, Mathieu Joseph TO CHI: Kunin, Eric Staal)

​35GP, 22-16-38 (Wisconsin, NCAA) 12GP 5-3-8 (Iowa, AHL)

A Joe Pavelski swiss army knife type that can play any position and any role while piling up goals,Kunin is one of the fastest rising Hawks prospects and will likely be much higher on next years list. Captained the US WJC entry and was among the best players on a stacked team, piled up points at Wisconsin and finished his season doing the same in the AHL it is hard to have a much better season than Kunin did in 16-17. Signed a pro contract and could push for a spot within the next two seasons.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​11. Adrian Kempe, 6'2 202. 9/13/96 ​Acquired: Trade (TO NJ: Ryan Kesler TO CHI: Kempe, Brad Marchand, Carl Dahlstrom)

​46GP 12-8-20 (Ontario, AHL) 25GP 2-4-6 (Los Angeles, NHL)

A very strong north-south player with size and skating ability, Kempe made his NHL debut this season and will likely be a full timer next year. A direct player as coaches would say, it would be nice to see him tap into the offensive potential he has shown at high end junior events like the WJC. Likely slots in as a 40-50 pt complimentary player at the highest level.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​12. *Jake Virtanen, 6'1 229, 8/17/96 ​Acquired: Trade (TO NYR: Kevin Shattenkirk, Remi Elie, 3rd Round pick TO CHI: Virtanen, Mikhail Grigorenko, Brett Ritchie)

​65GP 9-10-19 (Utica, AHL) 10GP 0-1-1 (Vancouver, NHL)

The biggest sinker on this list from last season is hands down Virtanen. While he still has a ton of upside given his size, skating ability and goal scoring potential he has yet to produce as he should in the pros, and off-ice concerns are mounting. A regime change in Vancouver should give him a fresh start. Could be a power forward in the NHL, could also be a bust. Likely a couple years from contending for a spot.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​13. Ian Mccoshen, D, 6'3 217, 8/5/95 ​Acquired: Trade (TO DET: Hampus Lindholm, Nic Kerdiles, 5th round pick, TO CHI: Mccoshen, Chris Kreider, 2nd round pick)

​​68GP 4-12-16 (Springfield, AHL) 3GP 0-1-1 (Florida, NHL)

Mccoshen enjoyed an excellent rookie pro season playing a shutdown role in the AHL. While he is unlikely to produce a ton of points in the NHl, he is a great skater with the size and reach to be a top tier shutdown defender, and an integral part of a championship team. With the elite puck movers the Hawks have in the system Mccoshen should grow into an excellent complimentary piece. He is like 2-3 years from cracking the Chicago lineup.

​Projected Arrival: 2018-2019

​14. Kale Clague, D, 6'0 177, 6/5/98 ​Acquired: Draft 2/38 2016

48GP 5-35-40 Playoff: 4GP 1-3-4 (Brandon, WHL)

The high point of Clagues season definitely came when he stepped into a huge role for Canada at the WJC after injuries on the blueline. He should be among the top defencemen in junior hockey next season. While undersized he is a very smart player positionally and can be used in both a shutdown and powerplay role. He is several years from cracking the Hawks roster, but has a ton of upside.

​Projected Arrival: 2021-2022

​15. Oliver Kylington, D, 6'0 185, 5/19/97 ​Acquired: Draft 1/23 2015

​60GP 6-21-27 (Stockton, AHL)

Made huge strides in 16-17 and started to show off his offensive potential in the AHL. Had a very strong world junior for Sweden. He is an elite skater who can be a one man breakout. Has the upside to be a 40-plus point NHL defenceman. Is still 2-3 years away.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​Just Missed the List:

​Brendan Guhle, D, 6'1 186, 7/29/97  ​Draft: 2/49 2015

​Adam Erne, W, 6'1 210, 4/20/95 ​Draft:1/30 2013

​Adin Hill, G, 6'4 190, 5/11/96  ​​Draft: 3/83 2015

​Jason Dickinson, W/C, 6'2 205, 7/4/95 ​​Trade

​Will Butcher, D, 5'10 186, 1/6/95 ​Draft: 5/134 2014

​*Frank Vatrano, LW, 5'9 201, ​​3/14/94 ​​Draft: 2/45 2016

​Jayce Hawryluk, C/W, 5'10 194, 1/1/96 ​Draft: 2/44 2014

​Blake Speers, C/W, 6'0 184, 1/2/97 ​Draft: 2/53 2015

​Anders Bjork, W, 5'11 183, 9/5/96 ​Draft: 5/127 2016

​Ryan Graves, D, 6'4 220, 5/21/95 ​Trade

​Jeremy Lauzon, D, 6'3 202, 4/28/97 Trade