Hawks Mid Term Prospect Report

(PREVIOUS RANK)

* - Graduating prospect

1(2).Mikhail Sergachev, D, 6'3 215, 6/25/98  Acquired: Draft 1/11 2016

​53GP 8-21-29 (Tampa Bay, NHL)

One of the top rookies in the NHL, the junior aged defencenan has far exceeded expectations production wise this year. Once he develops his defensive play he should rise to the ranks of the truly elite blueliners in the game with his combination of size and truly special skating ability. He should challenge for a roster spot in Chicago next season.

Projected Arrival: 2018-2019 

​2(11). *Adrian Kempe, C/W, 6'2 201, 9/13/96  ​Acquired: Trade 

​54GP 16-10-26 (Los Angeles, NHL)

A real riser on this list, the production has finally arrived for the talented Kempe. Always lauded for his excellent tools, Kempe is finally putting the points up to match. Should easily surpass the 20 goal mark in his first full NHL season, he may have an even higher offensive ceiling than previously expected. He is also rounding into an excellent north south two way player. He is a strong bet to crack the Hawks lineup next season in a depth role.

​Projected Arrival: 2018-2019

​3(HM). *Will Butcher, D, 5'10 190, 1/6/95 Acquired:  Draft 5/134 2015

54GP 2-27-29 (New Jersey, NHL)

​Has produced at a high level from day one, as expected being an older prospect. Extremely intelligent from the back end, he moves the puck at a very high level and is a huge asset on the powerplay. As the season has progressed he is being trusted in more situations, and despite being undersized should develop into a big minute all situations player. Combine this with a high offensive ceiling and you have a potential top pair dman on your hands.

​Projected Arrival: 2018-2019

​4(3).*Pavel Zacha. W, 6'3 210, 4/6/97 Acquired: Trade

​​47GP 4-13-17 (New Jersey, NHL)

Much like his rookie season, Zacha's production this year is slightly dissapointing. That being said he is still extremely young, and as hopefully it will emerge in the coming seasons. He certainly has the skillset to produce, with size and excellent hands. He also shows a willingness to go to the dirty areas. He has an upside similiar to Adrian Kempe.

​Projected Arrival: 2018-2019

​5(NA). *Joel Eriksson Ek, C, 6'2 197, 1/29/97  Acquired: Trade

48GP 1-7-8 (Minnesota, NHL) 8GP 3-5-8 (Iowa, AHL)

A pre-season Calder favorite, Eriksson Ek has flopped production wise in his rookie season. That being said he still contributes as a two way player on a very good team, and he is far from the first player to struggle his first year across the pond. As he has shown in brief stints in the minors he has big time offensive upside. Look for him to rebound in a big way his sophmore season

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

6(6). Sam Steel, C, 5'11 178, 2/3/98 Acquired: Draft 1/27 2016

​40GP 21-40-61 (Regina, WHL) 7GP 4-5-9 (Canada, WJC)

While he has not quite dominated the WHL like he did last year points wise, he has still produced at an elite level. He was among the best players on Canada's gold medal winning world junior entry, and should take his elite offensive tools to Anaheim next season. A very strong bet to stick with the Ducks next season, he should be knocking on Chicago's door the following year. He has the upside to be a point per game player at the highest level.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​7(NA).Nick Suzuki, C, 5'11 183, 8/10/99 ​Acquired: Draft 1/12 2017

47GP 26-42-68 (Owen Sound, OHL)

The first entry on the list from the most recent draft, like Sam Steel a year ago Suzuki has dominated his junior league, and was among the final WJC cuts for Canada. Look for him to follow the trajectory of Steel and be one of the best players at the tournament next season. Undersized but exceptionally talented, Suzuki is also a heady two way player which ensures he will at very least be an NHL player. He is a good bet to be a second line piece, but has upside beyond that.

​Projected Arrival: 2021-2022

​8(NA).Ryan Poehling, C, 6'2 183, 1/3/99 ​Acquired: Trade

24GP 7-15-22 (St Cloud State, NCAA) 7GP 1-2-3 (USA, WJC)

For the second year in a row he is among the youngest players in college hockey. This year he has taken great steps in terms of production and was excellent for the Americans at the WJC. In addition to his emerging offense, he is a very well rounded player who could develop into an elite two way shutdown center. It will be interesting to see if he elects to make the jump to pro hockey when the NCAA season is over. He could probably use one more year in St. Cloud before doing so.

​Projected Arrival: 2021-2022

​9(14). Cale Clague, D, 6'0 177, 6/5/98 ​Acquired: Draft 2/38/2016

39GP 10-50-60 (Brandon/Moose Jaw, WHL) 6GP 0-2-2 (Canada, WJC)

​Having a remarkable season in the WHL, and quite possibly the best season by a defenceman in the last decade. Though undersized, he is extremely intelligent and uses his skating and an active stick to be an elite defender. As his production indicates he is also an elite point producer. He is a potential top-pair dman in the NHL.

​Projected Arrival: 2020-2021

​10(NA). Philippe Myers, D, 6'5 196, 1/25/97 ​Acquired: Draft 1/16 2017

​32GP 3-9-12 (Lehigh Valley, AHL)

The silky smooth mammoth blueliner has made a smooth transition to pro hockey and has excelled as a rookie AHLer. Players at his size who skate at an elite level are incredibly rare, and as such he has a very bright future going forward. If his production grows as he fills out he could be another A blueline prospect for the Hawks.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​11(HM). Brendan Guhle, D, 6'1 186, 7/29/97  ​Acquired: Draft 2/49 2015

38GP 7-14-21 (Rochester, AHL) 2GP 0-1-1 (Buffalo, NHL)

Enjoying a breakout season in the AHL, Guhle is the sabres first call when they need blueline help. He is a top tier skater who is now showing off some offensive upside as well. Has the potential to be a top-4 two way dman,

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​12(HM). Adin Hill, G,  6'6 202, 5/11/96 Acquired: Draft 3/83 2015

22GP 2.52 .909 2SO (Tuscon, AHL) 3GP 3.76 .880 (Arizona, NHL)

The top goalie in the system right now, Hill has had a very solid season in the minors, and made his NHL debut early this year. He is extremely gifted athletically and has a 6'6 frame, so the sky is the limit in terms of upside. He could very well be the future starter in Chicago.

​Projected Arrival: 2021-2022

​13(13). *Ian Mccoshen, D, 6'3 217, 8/5/95 ​Acquired: Trade 

31GP 3-0-3 (Florida, NHL)

Has struggled somewhat in his rookie season, not uncommon for first year dmen. Hopefully he can rebound and finish strong setting himself up for an improved sophmore year. The tools are all there for him to be a top-5 defenceman in the NHL. He is however being passed internally by younger Hawks blueline prospects so he will need to show something soon.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​14(NA). Oskar Lindblom, LW, 6'1 191, 8/15/96  ​Acquired: Trade

50GP 13-18-31 (Lehigh Valley, AHL)

Has produced at every level so it is no surprise he is producing as a rookie AHLer in his first year in North America. Oozes offense and is very close to cracking a big league lineup. He could be a 60+ point player.

​Projected Arrival: 2019-2020

​15. Tyler Parsons, G, 6'1 185, 9/18/97 ​Acquired: Trade

23GP 3.06 .905 1SO (Kansas City, ECHL) 4GP 3.06 .898

Has had his ups and downs in his rookie pro season. Has started to come on of late though and is starting to push his way up the goalie depth chart for his organization. He his slightly undersized, but a competitor who has excelled and won everywhere he has played. Should soon challenge Adin Hill for the title of goalie of the future in Chicago.

​Projected Arrival: 2022-2023

Honourable Mentions: