Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects
Strengths
  • Skilled and versatile center prospects.
  • Quantity and quality at each position.
Weaknesses
  • May not have a potential NHL starter among goaltending prospects.

About Prospect Scores and Probability

Prospect Criteria

Legend of Players' Leagues
Pro
Playing in N.A. Pro (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc.)
CHL
Playing in CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
NCAA
Playing in NCAA
Europe
Playing in Europe
Junior
Playing in Junior 'A' (USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc.)
N/A
Not Categorized Yet

Goaltenders

 League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Brandon Whitney CHL 7.0 D
2. Kent Simpson Pro 7.0 D
3. Carter Hutton Pro 6.5 C
4. Mac Carruth CHL 6.5 C
5. Matt Tomkins Junior 6.5 D
6. Johan Mattsson Junior 6.0 D
7. Alec Richards Europe 6.0 D

Right Wing

 League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Jimmy Hayes Pro 7.0 C
2. Maxim Shalunov Europe 7.0 D
3. Ben Smith Pro 6.5 B
4. Chris Calnan Junior 6.5 C

Left Wing

 League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Brandon Saad Pro 7.5 C
2. Jeremy Morin Pro 7.0 C
3. Terry Broadhurst Pro 6.5 C
4. Kyle Beach Pro 6.5 C
5. Max Sauve Pro 6.5 D
6. Garret Ross Pro 6.0 C
7. Dan DeLisle NCAA 5.5 D
8. Brandon Bollig Pro 5.0 A

Centers

 League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Teuvo Teravainen Europe 7.5 C
2. Brandon Pirri Pro 7.0 C
3. Drew LeBlanc Pro 7.0 C
4. Kevin Hayes NCAA 7.0 C
5. Mark McNeill Pro 7.0 C
6. Phillip Danault Pro 7.0 C
7. Alex Broadhurst CHL 6.5 C
8. Joakim Nordstrom Pro 6.5 C
9. Byron Froese Pro 6.5 C
10. Vince Hinostroza Junior 6.5 D
11. David Gilbert Pro 6.0 D

Defensemen

 League Prosp. talent Prob. of success
1. Adam Clendening Pro 7.0 C
2. Stephen Johns NCAA 7.0 C
3. Dylan Olsen Pro 7.0 C
4. Shawn Lalonde Pro 7.0 D
5. Joe Lavin Pro 6.5 C
6. Michael Paliotta NCAA 6.5 C
7. Klas Dahlbeck Pro 6.5 C
8. Nick Mattson NCAA 6.5 C
9. Justin Holl NCAA 6.5 C
10. Dillon Fournier CHL 6.5 C
11. Kirill Gotovets NCAA 6.5 D
12. Joe Gleason NCAA 6.5 D
13. Ryan Stanton Pro 6.5 D
14. Sam Jardine NCAA 6.5 D
15. Paul Phillips NCAA 6.0 C
16. Braden Birch NCAA 6.0 C
17. Travis Brown CHL 6.0 C

Chicago Blackhawks maintain one of the deepest prospect pools in NHL

by Brad Gardner
on
Photo: Winger Brandon Saad has been among the most prolific offensive players in the OHL this season. Already signed to an entry-level deal, Saad had a two-game cup of coffee in the NHL earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks maintain one of the deepest prospects pools in the NHL after several years of gorging on draft picks in the NHL Entry Draft. Though the organization may not feature any blue-chip prospects, there are a number of players at each position who could eventually step in and complement the core in Chicago.

Once a defense-heavy prospect system, Chicago has taken steps to fleshing out their numbers on the wings and in net in recent drafts. The blue line is still an area of strength with former first round pick Dylan Olsen currently playing with the Blackhawks and collegiate prospects such as Adam Clendening and Stephen Johns making their mark in the NCAA.
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Chicago Blackhawks got Patrick Kane in 2007 Draft

by Brad Gardner
on
Photo: The number one pick in the 2007 NHL draft, Patrick Kane has been one of most dynamic offensive players to ever suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo courtesy of NHL)

The Blackhawks came away from the 2007 draft with only one regular player, but they made that one count by making Patrick Kane the first overall pick. He has since won a Calder Trophy, earned three All-Star nods, and helped lead Chicago to its first cup since 1961.
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Blackhawks minor-league affiliate undergoing giant youth movement

by Brad Gardner
on
Photo: Drafted as an overager, Andrew Shaw has proved to be an effective forward at the professional level. So much in fact the Blackhawks recently signed him to an entry-level deal. (Photo ocourtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs are again icing one of the youngest teams in the AHL in the 2011-12 season. The 'Hogs have four more rookies playing regular roles already this year and four others who have found part-time work in the AHL lineup.

The team has been led by a new coach behind the bench in Ted Dent, a longtime assistant in Rockford. He has the young club playing a similar up-tempo, puck-possession style as what is played in Chicago, but they have suffered in their own zone. Rockford has allowed 130 goals through 35 games, more than any other team in the AHL, in part because of the struggling penalty kill, which ranks in the bottom third.
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Chicago Blackhawks boast giant pool of talented CHL players

by Brad Gardner
on
Photo: Swedish forward Ludvig Rensfeldt has been impressive so far in his first season of North American Major Juniors. (Photo courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Blackhawks have 10 prospects developing at the junior level. Three of their top four picks from the 2011 draft, Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault, and Brandon Saad, skated well in the team's training camp but were ultimately assigned to their CHL teams.

Chicago has added depth to the goaltending pipeline in recent drafts with junior players, bringing in WHL goalies Kent Simpson and Mac Carruth in 2010 and OHL rookie Johan Mattsson in 2011. All three are 19 years old this season and could be playing for a pro contract with Chicago.
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Chicago Blackhawks Depth Analysis, Fall 2011

by Brad Gardner
on
Photo: In his freshman season for Vermont, Michael Paliotta brings a lot of physicality to the Blackhawks organization. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)

The Blackhawks are re-stocked and loaded with talent after a couple summers of auctioning established players for picks and prospects. Chicago has added a number of high-profile prospects, including nine top-60 picks from the last two entry drafts. The results are some exciting prospects at the top of the rankings and solid depth across the board.

Chicago's strength is on the blue line, where the organization is loaded with smooth-skating offensive-defensemen. They have also added some bulk and physicality to the group in recent years, which is something that has been emphasized at all levels of the organization recently.

Not to be outdone, the forward ranks also boast several top prospects. The left wing position may be the strongest at the top having already seen a pair of prospects exceed expectations and get some NHL time under their belt as teenagers. The center position is strong as well, though the strength there is more in the depth and variety of skills of the prospects.
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Top Prospects

  1. Brandon Saad
  2. Teuvo Teravainen
  3. Adam Clendening
  4. Phillip Danault
  5. Mark McNeill
  6. Brandon Pirri
  7. Stephen Johns
  8. Ben Smith
  9. Jimmy Hayes
  10. Jeremy Morin
  1. Kevin Hayes
  2. Dylan Olsen
  3. Dillon Fournier
  4. Michael Paliotta
  5. Kyle Beach
  6. Chris Calnan
  7. Alex Broadhurst
  8. Justin Holl
  9. Klas Dahlbeck
  10. Maxim Shalunov

Notable Prospects

  1. Braden Birch
  2. Brandon Bollig
  3. Terry Broadhurst
  4. Travis Brown
  5. Mac Carruth
  6. Dan DeLisle
  7. Byron Froese
  8. David Gilbert
  9. Joe Gleason
  10. Kirill Gotovets
  11. Vince Hinostroza
  12. Carter Hutton
  13. Sam Jardine
  1. Shawn Lalonde
  2. Joe Lavin
  3. Nick Mattson
  4. Johan Mattsson
  5. Joakim Nordstrom
  6. Paul Phillips
  7. Alec Richards
  8. Garret Ross
  9. Max Sauve
  10. Kent Simpson
  11. Ryan Stanton
  12. Matt Tomkins
  13. Brandon Whitney
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