|
Top 10 Prospects: Chicago Blackhawks |
|
|
|
|
|
Despite their Cup, Chicago has continued to do a tremendous job at stocking the shelves with prospects, taking some chances on high upside (Teravainen, Saad) and moving out some of their Cup roster for futures. A good chunk of their pipeline is on the cusp of the NHL, which is promising for a team wanting to restock and take another run with their current core, whether they use their own prospects, or move them out for current NHL'ers.
1. Brandon Saad, Left Wing
Saginaw Spirit, OHL
43rd Overall, 2011
6’2, 208 lbs
The once highly-touted prospect, who fell, then became highly touted again is a force to be reckoned with. Considered to be NHL-ready, Saad is a big boy who can skate real well for his size. He makes real creative plays with the puck and thinks the game at a high level. Using his strength, he's a monster along the wall and down low around the net. While he's not a bruiser, he does have a power game, to go with his NHL-like shot.
Upside: First Line Big-Bodied Scoring Winger
NHL Comparable: James Van Reimsdyk
2. Teuvo Teravainen, Center/Left Wing
Jokerit, SM-liiga
18th Overall, 2012
5'11, 165 lbs
Like the Hawks top winger, TT is a bit on the small side with a real lack of strength in his body. However, he is the type of player who can absolutely make your jaw drop when he has the puck. He's as flashy as they come with quick hands, high end vision and creativity in spades when making plays or finishing them. He slows the game down and really works from the perimeter to create offense. He has the ability to line up at center or the wing, with an 'ok' defensive game. He'll need to add strength as he can be man-handled at times.
Upside: First Line Offensive Forward
NHL Comparable: Patrick Kane
3. Jeremy Morin, Left Wing
Rockford IceHogs, AHL
45th Overall, 2009
6’1, 190 lbs
Morin can play hockey real well. There's no denying that. His stock has fallen a bit, having missed a lot of hockey in the two years prior to this, as he's just gotten back into the groove and took some time to really adjust. His second half was real strong with Rockford, showing his ability to fill the net with rubber. He has a wild release and is a finisher through and through. Morin will get dirty and go to some tougher areas despite his 'sniper-like' game, and has shown some improvement in his skating.
Upside: Top Six Goal Scoring Forward
NHL Comparable: Alexei Kovalev
4. Mark McNeill, Center
Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
18th Overall, 2011
6’2, 208 lbs
McNeill can and will do it all. He'll fight, he'll make a big hit, grind the puck down low, play a strong defensive game, score a goal and set his teammate up... all in a day's work. He's a coaching dream, and a real on-ice leader who plays the game in the mold of an old school hockey player. He skates well, and can play the game in a multitude of ways.
Upside: Two-Way Top Six Power Center
NHL Comparable: Travis Zajac
5. Brandon Pirri, Center,
Rockford IceHogs, AHL
59th Overall, 2009
6'0, 180 lbs
Pirri is a player who continues to develop and really come into his own as a player. He has slick hands, and can really stick handle in a phone booth. He's shown high end vision in making plays and creating, as well as making very quick decisions with the puck. He's growing into his body and is getting close to making an eventual jump.
Upside: Second Line Playmaking Center
NHL Comparable: Kris Versteeg
6. Jimmy Hayes, Right Wing
Rockford Icehogs, AHL
60th Overall, 2008
6'6", 220 lbs
Hayes is huge. That much is certain. He's also shown some ability to play at the NHL level. After being touted as a Top 10 the year before his own draft year, he dropped like a rock and was picked up by Toronto before being moved for Brad Ross. Hayes is a strong forward, but has no real 'mean' in him despite the fact he could dummy some players with his body. He has good puck skills and an accurate shot, but does his most damage going to the net and planting his butt in front.
Upside:Top Six Big-Bodied Forward
NHL Comparable: Nik Antropov
7. Philip Danault, Center/Left Wing
Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL
26th Overall, 2011
6'0, 190 lbs
Danault will go through a wall to win a hockey game, and then some. He can skate well with a quick couple first strides out of the gate. He's one of the hardest workers on the ice, and has the smarts to back that up. He makes quick reads and will bring a healthy physical game. He's at his best when playing hard minutes, containing the other teams scorers.
Upside: Third Line Matchup Defensive Center
NHL Comparable:
8. Kevin Hayes, Right Wing,
Boston College, NCAA
24th Overall, 2010
6’3, 205 lbs
Kevin has really grown as a player, having once been considered more of a 'grinder.' He's got some size and will flash his ability to use that to make hits (moreso than his brother), but brings some skill to the table. He's really good at a low puck possession game, cycling the puck with quick in-tight hands. However, he doesn't show this game with any regularity and will need much more time, as he is considered a project at this point.
Upside: Top Six Offensive Forward with Size
NHL Comparable:
9. Kyle Beach, RW/LW,
Rockford IceHogs, AHL
11th Overall, 2008
6’4, 209 lbs
Beach is big and plays like he's even bigger. A guy who can irritate the hell out of you, and then score, Beach has intriguing tools but needs to get healthy and on track. When he's on his game, he's the most physical player on the ice, and absolutely destroys opponents in his tracks. He has quick hands with a real heavy and quick shot in his arsenal, and can put the puck in the net.
Upside: Top Six "Br00t Force" Power Forward
NHL Comparable: Milan Lucic
10. Dylan Olsen, Defense
Rockford IceHogs, AHL
28th Overall, 2009
6’3, 210 lbs
A big and mobile defender, Olsen can really lay the boom in open ice. He plays with a real edge, and despite his size can skate with the rest of them. He's shown flashes of offensive potential, but it has yet to materialize into production. For the time being he's something of a physical defender with some good defensive skills, and a big shot.
Upside: Second Pairing Physical Defender
NHL Comparable: Niklas Kronwall
Join the Discussion:
»