Landon Slaggert will make his NHL debut Friday with the Blackhawks. Frank Nazar versus Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel in the Big Ten Tournament. Rockford trying to start another winning streak after their seven-game one was snapped.
There’s an awful lot to watch for Blackhawk fans this weekend, and much of those same prospects could be in Chicago as early as next season.
With a season that had sparse highlights at times due to a lot of losing in Chicago, it’s been a heyday lately with the Blackhawks teeing off on teams and the prospects playing in meaningful games this weekend.
The future is indeed bright–and there’s a spotlight on this weekend.
Blackhawks Prospects Featured Across the Board
Slaggert was signed soon after Notre Dame was eliminated, and it was confirmed by head coach Luke Richardson that he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow against the Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, Nazar, Moore, and Rinzel, all teammates on the gold winning USA squad at the World Juniors, now clash in the Big Ten Tournament this weekend. Both Michigan and Minnesota won their opening series against Notre Dame and Penn State respectively.
Now comes a meaningful series against what fans and the front office hope are future teammates.
And who can forget the Rockford IceHogs? Winners of seven straight, their streak was snapped last night against Texas in a 5-3 loss. But it doesn’t dampen what has been the right time to start getting hot. The AHL playoffs kick off in little more than a month from now. Lukas Reichel finally notched his first goal there, giving him seven points in nine games in his return to Rockford. The assist came from Ethan Del Mastro, who continues to show he may very well be ready for NHL minutes next season.
Drew Commesso had 26 saves in the loss, but continues to post steady numbers with a .901 save percentage and 2.79 GAA in his rookie campaign.
But this is hardly the end of what will meaningful hockey for Blackhawks prospects. The OHL playoffs will begin in a couple of weeks, which should help figure how Gavin Hayes figures into next season. Hayes currently has a seven game point streak and could match his goal total from last season with five games to go.
Finally, Aidan Thompson kicks off the NCHC Tournament with the University of Denver this weekend. The Pioneers head into the tourney ranked third in the country. Speaking of valuable game experience–it could be a real chance at a National Title for the Pioneers and Thompson.
This next month will certainly be some must watch hockey for Blackhawks fans when it comes to the prospects.
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