Analysis: Breaking down the Chicago Blackhawks’ top prospects

As General Manager Kyle Davidson continues to stockpile top talent in the NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks faithful can continue to see the progress being made to return to a playoff team many fans have come accustomed to, although a few seasons away. Throw in the addition of two first-round picks in the 2025 draft and 11 top-two-round picks in the next three drafts and Davidson has the assets and pieces to continue to place talent on West Madison Street.

After the gift of Connor Bedard in the 2023 draft lottery, Chicago found the top center and generational talent teams drool over and the cornerstone of the rebuild. Davidson has continued to add pieces in the system, who with the correct development and time, should be mainstays in the NHL lineup for years to come.

Here is a breakdown of the top prospects.

Artyom Levshunov, Defenseman, 6-foot-2, 208 pounds

The Michigan State University product is the top overall prospect in the system after being selected with the second overall pick a few months back. The 6-foot-2 Belarusian has the size and smarts to be the No. 1 defenseman that is needed in order to have sustained success at the NHL level as an organization. His skating is advanced enough to play at the NHL level now, even though he should see time in Rockford this season. Levshunov also brings the puck-moving and offense that will make him a threat in all three zones on the ice, and is as close to a complete defenseman as anyone not yet in the NHL. Throw in the fact that he is a right-handed shot and Levshunov checks all the boxes.

Oliver Moore, Forward, 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

After Moore slipped to the 19th pick in the same draft as Bedard, the lightning-fast forward should develop nicely into a top-six talent and power play threat. When you think of break-neck speed all over the ice, you think of Moore. He plays like his hair is on fire but is also disciplined enough to be defensively responsible. Moore shows he wants to help his team win in all facets of his game, all the while netting 33 points in 38 games as a rookie at the University of Minnesota. This is the type of pick that pays off three-fold, as he does not have to play with top talent to be good or only a one-trick pony. When it is all said and done, he could be the power play and penalty-killing middle forward behind Bedard.

Frank Nazar, Forward, 5-foot-9, 175 pounds

The University of Michigan product saw ice time last April and scored in his NHL debut. The 5-foot-9 product plays bigger than his size and has a little bit of a nasty streak in him to succeed at the NHL level. He shows a propensity to make plays in the corners and in front of the net, a much-needed skill within the Blackhawks organization. The Detroit product is freakishly confident with the puck on his stick and makes his linemates better. The 13th overall pick in 2022 is the type of player fans love while opponents hate playing against.

Sacha Boisvert, Forward, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds

Davidson traded up to select Boisvert in this past summer’s draft and has the goal-scoring talent scouts look for in juniors. Much like Moore in his draft year, Boisvert could eventually be a steal at 18th overall. The 18-year-old can score from anywhere on the ice and shows a one-timer that could be deadly on the power play. He has also shown the willingness to get to the net and pound home rebounds and be a distraction to the opposite team’s goaltender. Very well-versed already in using his size, Boisvert is coming off a 36-goal campaign for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL. However, he can disappear in stretches, which brings some concerns.

Sam Rinzel, Defenseman, 6-foot-4, 193 pounds

The University of Minnesota product has shown an offensive skill that can play out as an offensive defenseman. Add in his size and the Blackhawks have a nice all-around prospect on the blue line behind Levshunov. Rinzel can skate with the puck and make plays to stretch defenses, apparent by his 26 assists last season at Minnesota. His decision-making and positioning is solid for what teams want in the NHL and his skating is very good for his size. The 6-foot-4 Chanhassen, Minnesota, product uses his size well but could use a little bit of physicality to go along with his size.

Drew Commesso, Goaltender, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds

The 46th pick in the 2020 draft saw plenty of action in his first professional season in Rockford last season. As a goaltender that needed to stand on his head most nights for a poor offense, he showed the poise and positioning that can play out in the NHL level over time. As fans remember with Corey Crawford, it can be beneficial for goaltenders to marinate in the AHL before becoming full-time NHL starters. The 22-year-old has sneaky-quick reflexes and anticipates the play very well. Commesso challenges shooters and has shown the ability to bounce back after poor outings.

Ethan Del Mastro, Defenseman, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds

Del Mastro saw two games at the NHL level last season after a successful season in Rockford. Another tall defenseman who uses his size well, De Mastro could be the bottom-pairing penalty-killing defenseman who goes unnoticed most nights, which means he did his job. At the NHL level, he can be a responsible puck-mover as well. It will be interesting to monitor if his playmaking at the highest level as see if it can pan out.

Adam Gajan, Goaltender, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds

Gajan is a perfect example of why stats cannot be the only scouting tool one uses in the junior ranks. The 6-foot-3 University of Minnesota-Duluth product plays with excellent athleticism for his size. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a knack for the heroics, shown during his time wearing the Slovakian sweater over the past few years in U18 and U20 tournaments. In terms of development, Gajan sits behind Commesso in age only. Gajan has the upside to be the hulking goaltender winning teams possess.

Marek Vanacker, Forward, 6-foot-1, 174 pounds

The offensively gifted Vanacker has shown he can create scoring chances in the OHL and that is about all his game consists of at this time. The 27th pick in the 2024 draft is another prospect who plays with his hair on fire in the offensive zone, plays very well off the rush and can score, as shown by his 36 goals in Brantford last season. As far as his development goes, Vanacker is the bottom-six type who could help bring secondary scoring. It will be interesting to see how his defensive game comes along over the next few seasons as it could be the one tool that limits his NHL upside.

Ryan Greene, Forward, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

The Boston University prospect is the defensive center who can bring leadership in the bottom six of the lineup. However, his back-to-back 30-point seasons in college shows he has the ability to make plays with the puck on his stick. He is a heady player and seems to play one pass ahead of his opponents. His development in the defensive zone could make him a fine player for the Blackhawks when he finishes up his college career.