Blackhawks' Prospect Pipeline Ranked NHL's Best by The Athletic

The Chicago Blackhawks have long been a franchise associated with excellence, and it seems their future is set to shine just as brightly. According to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, the organization’s under-23 players and prospects have soared to the top rank across the NHL, confirming what many Blackhawks fans have hoped for through GM Kyle Davidson's rebuild: a solid foundation for future success is firmly in place.

At the heart of Chicago’s prospect pipeline stands 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard, a name synonymous with high expectations and immense talent that was already on display at the NHL level last season. Bedard, accompanied by a standout defenseman, Artyom Levshunov, symbolizes the blend of top-heavy premium talent and depth that characterizes the Blackhawks’ system. 

Pronman's assessment highlights not only the promising talents of these young stars but also the depth of the organization's prospect pool, stating, "Chicago’s system is characterized by 1) how top-heavy its premium talent is and 2) how deep its system is overall."

The rankings provide a glimpse into a hopefully promising future in Chicago, with 17 prospects outlined as potential NHL players, showcasing the depth and talent within the Blackhawks' prospect ranks. Here is a look at how Pronman ranked the system.

Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Rankings via The Athletic

While some Blackhawks fans may not look at Lukas Reichel as a "prospect" after playing in the NHL over the last two seasons, the eligibility criteria of the rankings were listed as follows: "Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2024, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible." That criteria made Reichel eligible to appear on this list. Nearly missing out due to the stipulations was Alex Vlasic, who turned 23 in June but had a breakout season in 2023-24.