The Chicago Blackhawks have one of the best farm systems in the National Hockey League. That comes as a result of being in the basement of the league for a handful of years in a row and making lots of trades to acquire more high-end draft picks.
Guys like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic don’t count as true prospects anymore due to the number of games played at the highest level. Even without them, however, the Blackhawks still have a pipeline that ranks amongst the best.
Of all the players that they have working toward becoming full-time NHL players, this is the top 25 based on where they’re at in their development, how close they are to making it to the NHL roster, and their overall skill:
1. Sam Rinzel
After a great year at the University of Minnesota, Sam Rinzel looked like he could be a number one defenseman in the NHL during his short end-of-season stint. Nobody improved their stock more in 2024-25. He comes in at number one as a result.
2. Anton Frondell
The Blackhawks just selected Swedish forward Anton Frodnell with the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He has his eyes set on being just like Aleksander Barkov, but for now, he'll have to settle for the second-best Chicago Blackhawks prospect.
3. Artyom Levshunov
Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, was excellent in his first year pro. Whether it was for the Rockford IceHogs or the Chicago Blackhawks, he was noticeable. If he's healthy, Levshunov will play more than a quarter of the NHL season.
4. Sacha Boisvert
Sacha Boisvert was one of the best college freshmen in 2024-25. At the University of North Dakota, he showed that he's an impressive two-way player who can bring high-end skill in all three zones. He has transferred to Boston University, where he will develop even further on a team that has a chance to win the National Championship.
5. Kevin Korchinski
A couple of defensemen have passed Korchinski up on this list, but that doesn't take anything away from the overall talent that he possesses. He is still working on the defensive side of the game, which is always hard for young offensive guys, but there is no denying his elite puck skills. Expect more opportunities for him in the NHL going forward.
6. Nick Lardis
Nick Lardis scored 71 goals during his 2024-25 season in major junior. Now, he’s ready to turn pro. Like Rinzel, his stock improved by a wide margin due to his play last year. It won’t be long before he’s scoring goals in the NHL. His shot should translate quickly.
7. Oliver Moore
Oliver Moore is a very talented player. His speed may be the best of any prospect in the organization. He had four assists over his short NHL stint following his year at the University of Minnesota. He may start 2025-26 in the AHL, but being a middle-six forward in the NHL may come sooner than later.
8. Roman Kantserov
Roman Kansterov had a great year in Russia as a young player. He will return in 2025-26 and then play in North America in 2026-27. With more development under his belt next year, he should gain what he needs to become an impactful player in the NHL.
9. Ethan Del Mastro
Ethan Del Mastro is a solid defenseman who isn't far from being removed from this list, as he played 24 games last year. He isn't elite at anything, but he's solid at everything. His skating, stick work, and offensive awareness should allow him to have a long NHL career as a middle pair guy.
10. Drew Commesso
It's hard to rank Drew Commesso higher than ten because he's currently the third guy in the organization. Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom will likely be the duo that has the net in 2025-26, but Commesso is on the come-up. In the second half of last season, he went on a tear that went into the Calder Cup playoffs. Commesso has a great shot at becoming a full-time NHL goalie shortly.
11. Mason West
Some may have the football quarterback turned hockey player ranked lower, but there is no denying his overall talent. Mason West skates like the wind, has incredible puck skills, and can see the ice as well as any young player. Once he fully commits to hockey after his senior year at Edina High School, the Blackhawks are hoping that these skills allow him the chance to become a great player. If he does pan out, Kyle Davidson will look like a genius for taking the risk on him.
12. Colton Dach
Colton Dach is a little bit like his brother Kirby in terms of their ability to be plagued by injuries. He will be allowed to become an NHL player if he plays well in training camp and the preseason. He is a lot grittier than a lot of the players in the organization, which is something they need on the roster.
13. Ryan Greene
Ryan Greene is never going to have 40 goals or 100 points. However, he is a very reliable bottom-six forward who can bring some offensive jam here and there. Greene made his NHL debut at the end of last season, and he is likely to be on the team out of camp.
14. Marek Vanacker
Kyle Davidson took a chance when he traded back into the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft to select Marek Vanacker. He was injured to begin the 2024-25 season, which slowed down his progression. He didn't have the year he wanted to have, but he finished strong. With almost certainty that he will go back to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs, he is preparing to keep those good vibes going and have a much better season.
15. Vaclav Nestrasil
The Blackhawks surprised some people when they selected Vaclav Nestrasil in the first round (25th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. It became clear that they were going for size up front, which they will have in the 6-foot-5 Nestrasil. He will attend UMass in 2025-26.
16. Nolan Allan
Nolan Allan found himself playing in 43 NHL games last season. Although he had to go back to Rockford due to his play combined with other players coming up, he should be happy with how much he got to develop. Look for Allan to come out strong with his defensive game at the start of next year, whether it's with Rockford or Chicago. You can never have enough depth at this position.
17. AJ Spellacy
AJ Spellacy made people think that he would make the Blackhawks' opening night roster with his play during camp and the preseason last year. Instead, they stayed the course and sent him back to the OHL, where he was just okay. After attending the World Junior Summer Showcase, Spellacy will give it his all when it comes to trying to make it to the NHL.
18. Samuel Savoie
In a different way than Colton Dach, Samuel Savoie is a physical player who knows how to infuriate players he's going against. He won't come to the NHL and tear it up offensively. He couldn't even do that in the AHL (22 points in 72 games played). What he can do, though, is impact the game in a way that allows others to create offense.
19. John Mustard
John Mustard is a very fast player who will go back to Providence, play for a good team, and look to develop into a pro.
20. Jack Pridham
Jack Pridham, as a Kitchener Ranger, was so good and fit in so well that he decided not to attend Boston University in favor of going back there for another year.
21. Martin Misiak
Martin Misiak was a second-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2023, so they have high hopes for him. After a decent season with the Erie Otters, but nothing special, he hopes that the pro game (likely with the Rockford IceHogs) will help him move along in his career.
22. Nathan Behm
Nathan Behm was a third-round pick, 66th overall, by the Blackhawks in 2025. He is a long-term project, but has skills that could allow him to become a full-time player in the NHL one day. He's not close to that pro level yet, however, so he finds himself at 22 for now.
23. Gavin Hayes
Gavin Hayes, like Behm, was the 66th overall pick. His selection came in 2022. After a strong career in the OHL, he started to play pro in 2024-25 with the IceHogs. He'll make his NHL debut at some point, but he needs to be noticeable to stick around.
24. Aidan Thompson
Aidan Thompson, also a third-round pick from 2022, had an outstanding year at Denver, where he came very close to another NCAA title. After having 55 points in 44 games played, he is ready for pro hockey. He played in four AHL games last year after the NCAA season ended, but a full season awaits him in 2025-26.
25. Taige Harding
Taige Harding is a massive 6-foot-7 defenseman who played college hockey at Providence College in 2024-25. He will look to bring that size and skill to the IceHogs next year. His size alone gives him a chance to become an NHL player one day, but his development curve would need to continue pointing up.
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