Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has heralded the development of prospects as his biggest reason for optimism about the rebuild.

There has been some movement within the Hawks’ pool this season, however, as some prospects hit ceilings while others raise their stocks.

These rankings, as always, are determined partially by upside and partially by NHL readiness. Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert and Nolan Allan have graduated off the list since the July 2024 edition because they’re currently on the NHL roster.

1. Artyom Levshunov, defenseman, age 19

The Hawks have focused on maximizing Levshunov’s learning experiences this season. He’s logging huge minutes in the AHL, which is rare for teenage defensemen. The same eagerness to learn and work that enabled his rapid transition from Belarus to the United States has been evident to everyone in Rockford.

Levshunov’s unique skating stride sometimes creates an illusion he’s not hustling when he actually is, and the Hawks continue to expect him to evolve into a top-pairing NHL defenseman who can dominate offensively and defensively. He has all the necessary tools; it’s just a matter of putting them together with the right risk management.

2. Kevin Korchinski, defenseman, 20

The Hawks wanted Korchinski to focus on getting his mojo back this season in Rockford while also gaining strength and weight. His production hasn’t been as prolific as hoped — because his mojo is highest when he’s skating effortlessly with the puck and getting involved offensively — but his standout performance at the AHL All-Star game was nice to see.

3. Sam Rinzel, defenseman, 20

The Hawks drafted Rinzel out of high school in 2022 knowing he would require a longer development timeline. Their patience is now paying off: Rinzel has been one of the best defensemen in college hockey at Minnesota this season. He’s putting all his tools together and — just as importantly — trusting them. He could make his NHL debut this spring.

4. Oliver Moore, forward, 20

Moore has been the less-attention-grabbing Minnesota sophomore within the Hawks’ prospect pool, but Davidson believes Moore has played well enough to produce more points had his early-season luck been better. His speed is his calling card, and he has spent the last two years working on learning how to use it more effectively. He could also make his NHL debut this spring.

5. Roman Kantserov, forward, 20

Kantserov’s exploding production in Russia has catapulted him up the rankings. His vision and creativity in the offensive zone is impressive. But at 5-9, will he be able to utilize those skills effectively in the NHL one day? That’s the skepticism he’ll have to overcome.

6. Nick Lardis, forward, 19

Lardis’ otherworldly production in the OHL has catapulted him up the rankings, as well. His shot might be even better than originally thought. The 2023 third-round pick would possibly go in the first round of a redraft, but he’ll have to prove he can translate his goal-scoring to the pros.

7. Sacha Boisvert, forward, 18

Boisvert, the 18th overall pick last summer, has excelled as a freshman at North Dakota. He’s gaining strength quickly, and the Hawks like his well-rounded game and aggressiveness.

8. Marek Vanacker, forward, 18

Vanacker’s season started late due to shoulder surgery, and then he had to scrape off some rust. Davidson describes him as a Swiss Army knife who he envisions being able to play up and down the lineup and in various special-teams roles one day.

9. Ethan Del Mastro, defenseman, 22

Del Mastro also got off to a slow start this season in Rockford, but he has found his stride this winter and held his own in six recent NHL appearances. He moves the puck fairly well for someone his size (6-4), although his decision-making can be iffy at times. AHL scouts sing his praises highly.

 

10. Colton Dach, forward, 22

Dach’s latest struggle with inconsistency came during his 13-game NHL stint, as his initial physicality and hardness trailed off as time went on. When on his game, he can be a ruthless power forward, but he is getting older.

11. Samuel Savoie, forward, 20

Forward prospects Savoie, Gavin Hayes and Paul Ludwinski all arrived in Rockford this season with similar expectations, and Savoie has stood out most. He’s working on translating his speed into more offensive production, but his every-shift scrappiness adds another dimension to his game.

12. Ryan Greene, forward, 21

Greene and Boisvert are two candidates for the Hawks’ future third-line center role; the odds are decent that at least one of them will reach that ceiling. Throughout three years at Boston University, Greene has always been reliable, if not flashy. The Hawks tried to sign him last spring and will try again this spring.

13. Wyatt Kaiser, defenseman, 22

Last summer, Kaiser seemed on the cusp of becoming a full-time NHL defenseman, but Allan and Del Mastro have now passed him on the depth chart. He has struggled with untimely turnovers and doesn’t perfectly fit any specific role. However, he remains a skilled, clever player who seems like he could make the Hawks regret giving up on him prematurely, if they do.

14. Drew Commesso, goalie, 22

Commesso’s save percentage has worsened behind a weaker Rockford team in his second AHL season. His intelligence is a strength, though, and he has worked on getting set in his stance earlier so he can use that intelligence to read the play. It’s worth noting goalies’ development timelines can be very unpredictable.

 

15. Gavin Hayes, forward, 20

Hayes tallied just five points in his first 29 AHL games before being sidelined by a shoulder injury. He’s still young, though. Coaches rave about his hockey IQ, but he needs to continue getting stronger and faster.

16. Aidan Thompson, forward, turning 23

When Thompson turns 23 on Tuesday, he’ll become the oldest guy on this list, which limits his runway somewhat. But he’s enjoying a breakout junior year at the University of Denver because he has figured out how to use his speed to get to the net.

17. AJ Spellacy, forward, turning 19

Spellacy, the standout prospect of Hawks training camp, hasn’t produced that much in the OHL this season, but his game is defined more by athleticism, physicality and relentlessness anyway. He’s a long-term project.

18. Jack Pridham, forward, 19

Pridham’s development has surged ahead since he jumped to the OHL. He’ll join the Hawks’ BU pipeline next season, essentially replacing Greene.

19. John Mustard, forward, 18

Mustard might be the fastest speedster among many on this list, and he has been decently productive as a Providence freshman despite flying under the radar.

20. Dominic James, forward, 22

The Hawks hope to sign James, a senior at Minnesota-Duluth, after his college season ends. A shoulder injury cost the small but scrappy center almost all of his junior season, but he has since rediscovered his game. Davidson calls him a “sparkplug.”

Other prospects to monitor: Martin Misiak, Paul Ludwinski, Adam Gajan, Alex Pharand, Taige Harding, Ilya Safonov