[https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2023/11/01/bn-blackhawks-top-20-prospect-rankings-november-graduations-big-improvements/](https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2023/11/01/bn-blackhawks-top-20-prospect-rankings-november-graduations-big-improvements/)
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1. Frank Nazar, C, Michigan (Big Ten)
2. Oliver Moore, C/LW, Minnesota (Big Ten)
3. Ryan Greene, C, Boston University (Hockey East)
4. Nolan Allan, LHD, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
5. Drew Commesso, G, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
6. Ethan Del Mastro, LHD, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
7. Martin Misiak, C, Erie Otters (OHL)
8. Nick Lardis, RW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
9. Colton Dach, W, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
10. Gavin Hayes, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
11. Adam Gajan, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
12. Roman Kantserov, RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
13. Landon Slaggert, W, Notre Dame (Big Ten)
14. Ilya Safonov, C, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
15. Paul Ludwinski, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
16. Ryder Rolston, W, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
17. Isaak Phillips, LHD, Rockford / Chicago
18. Aidan Thompson, C, Denver (NCHC)
19. Sam Rinzel, RHD, Minnesota (Big Ten)
20. Taige Harding, LHD, Providence (Hockey East)
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by mcosta1973
7 Comments
Shocked to see Rinzel so low but I assume a lot of it is because he’s so boom or bust and he’s been okay in the NCAA?
I think Ryan Greene is going to surprise people. He’s a smart player, good skater, and can really dish the puck. He’s got room to get bigger two. 2C upside player, likely 3C with good play in both ends.
No chance Nazar stays at C in the NHL. He’s a RW.
We really need another good defense prospect, hopefully we can get one in the draft next year. Korchinski and Jones are good but we need someone else in that top 4 that can create chances.
Curious to see what happens with Landon Slaggert. He’s having a hell of a year at ND as captain, but his rights expire before next season, so he could sign anywhere if he wanted. If he stays hot gotta think they try to sign him for Rockford after his college season.
Sam Rinzel at 19 is just.. objectively off base
Anyone else excited for the possibility of Artyom Levshunov in the draft? Offensive RHD could be a match made in heaven for this team, could be right in the hawks range too
A lot of these rankings don’t seem to reflect potential, purely just current play.
If it reflected potential Commesso would be second for sure, and Rinzel would rank top ten.
Commesso is just such a phenomenal goalie and prospect. He takes criticism so well, he’s got composure to rival Shesterkin, he’s extremely fast, he reads plays so perfectly, he holds his net better then any other young goalie I’ve ever seen, and he has the all star mindset of picking a weakness and fixing it until it’s a strength.
Commesso is going to be our starter, and he’s probably gonna be one of the best goalies in the league when it’s his time.
Aside from Nazar, there isn’t a single other prospect we have with such an incredible amount of skill and smarts as well as a mindset to always improve.
As for Rinzel, he is just such a good skater with a great ability to steal pucks and make plays while playing in a league known for having really good two way defence who have the perfect mindset to be reliable top 4 defence. Combine that with the success in a similar defence in Vlasic and he could seriously be a weapon for us in the future even if he doesn’t pan out and becomes the bottom line or 7th d man.