Sometimes, it pays to be awful.

Nearly two decades after snagging Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane early in the draft and making them the stars of the franchise, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Connor Bedard sweepstakes for 2023. Given the fact they already had one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, adding the best in the game only made them that much stronger.

This feels a lot like the late 2000s Chicago Blackhawks. After years of on-ice misery, they found quick success in the draft and immediately became a force, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Those three titles made them the first real dynasty of the salary cap era.

But those days are way behind them. Between the off-ice scandals and the aging core moving on, the Blackhawks are back at Ground Zero, trying to build something tangible. Bedard will be a massive influence for this team, giving them a truly generational talent. But they have to keep building around him because, in case you haven’t looked at their lineup recently, it’s pretty ugly.

Better days are ahead for the fanbase, one that got used to winning and it all taken away. Right now, just focus ahead, Hawks fans.

Biggest Strength

“Having the best prospect in the game” is the real answer, but that feels a bit too cheap. Instead, the Blackhawks deserve credit for building one of the most fascinating bluelines of any prospect pool. Led by Kevin Korchinski, one of the best defensive prospects in the game today, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. Need a skilled, two-way guy that can man the top pairing? That’s Korchinski. Need someone who brings size to the table? Meet Sam Rinzel. Need help immediately (and they definitely do)? Wyatt Kaiser’s the answer.

Biggest Weakness

It’s hard to pinpoint many weaknesses, but the fact that only one winger – Lukas Reichel – appears on this list is probably a sign that they need some extra depth there. Frank Nazar could play the wing and likely will in the NHL with the center depth the Hawks have, but there’s some work needed, for sure. If Nick Lardis ends up being a steal like many believe he can, that’ll be nice.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

Grade: A+

1. Connor Bedard, C, 18 (Chicago Blackhawks)

Drafted: No. 1, first round in 2023

This man doesn’t need any introduction. You’ve heard all there is to know about No. 98 given he’s been in the spotlight for half a decade already. His skill, speed, hockey IQ, and two-way play make him one of the most incredible talents we’ve seen since Connor McDavid. He’s the generational player that’ll bring the Blackhawks back near the top of the standings in no time.

2. Kevin Korchinski, D, 19 (Seattle, WHL)

Drafted: No. 7, first round in 2022

Have the Hawks had a defensive prospect this exciting since the Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook days? Taken seventh overall in 2022, the left-shot defender out of Saskatoon had a whopping 73 points in 54 regular season games before leading the Thunderbirds to the WHL championship. An explosive offensive defenseman, he stands tall at 6-foot-3 and isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage. He can hold his own in the defensive zone, which seems to be a rarer instance these days. Korchinski will be a leader on Canada’s world junior team in a few months, and there’s no doubt he’ll be ready to step into the NHL in another year.

3. Oliver Moore, C, 18 (University of Minnesota, NCAA)

Drafted: No. 19, first round in 2023

Moore was one of the best value picks of the first round. The fastest player in the draft, Moore is an incredibly hard worker that did so much for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in 2022-23. He centered the team’s second line and still managed to put up more than 70 points, often drawing high praise from coach Dan Muse. Moore is an incredible playmaker who plays a nice defensive game, too. He will make the move to the NCAA next season, but don’t expect him to spend too many years in college.

*Lukas Reichel (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)*

4. Lukas Reichel, LW, 21 (Chicago Blackhawks)

Drafted: No. 17, first round in 2020

Just about everyone thought Reichel could be a full-time NHLer last year. But the Hawks were in full-on tank mode, and with Reichel being just 20 at the time, there was no reason to rush him. Taken 17th overall in 2020, Reichel had 57 points in 56 games with Rockford in 2021-22 before scoring 20 goals and 51 points last season. He also skated in 23 NHL games, recording seven goals and 15 points. The team is in dire straits next year, with very few high-quality forward options behind Bedard. Really, there’s nothing in the way stopping Reichel next season.

5. Frank Nazar, C/RW, 19 (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Drafted: No. 13, first round in 2022

It was a lost year for Nazar, who only played 13 games after recovering from hip surgey. He had just seven points in that span and was quiet during the NCAA tournament, which was a shame to see. But when he’s healthy, he’s a lethal dual-threat up front who can easily score and set up teammates. He’s headed back to the University of Michigan for next year and should play an integral role with the departure of Adam Fantilli. Having an injury-free season will help put Nazar right back on track.

*Drew Commesso (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)*

6. Drew Commesso, G, 20 (Rockford, AHL)

Drafted: No. 46, second round in 2020

Commesso is ready for the next level. The 2022 Olympian with the United States spent three years at Boston University, putting up a solid 43-22-4 run through 73 games. Commesso was a standout with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and has a solid international resume, albeit in a short span since he never was a starter. Still, the Blackhawks liked what they saw enough to have him turn pro, and he should get a significant number of starts with the Rockford IceHogs this year.

7. Ethan Del Mastro, D, 20 (Rockford, AHL)

Drafted: No. 105, fourth round in 2021

Dang, his junior career really flew by. The 6-foot-4 defender proved to be quite the menace in the OHL, and the offense followed the past two seasons. After starting the year as Mississauga’s captain, he joined Sarnia for the team’s playoff push and played some of the best hockey of his three-year major junior career. Del Mastro also played a pivotal role in Canada winning gold at the 2023 world juniors after playing a more muted role the year before. It looks like he’s ready for the AHL this year, and he’s mature enough for the challenge.

8. Ryan Greene, C, 19 (Boston University, NCAA)

Drafted: No. 57, second round in 2022

Greene didn’t blow the USHL up by any means in 2021-22, so many were interested to see how he’d adjust to the NCAA. The Boston University forward looked great with 31 points, putting his slick puckhandling skills on display nightly. At 1-on-1, he’s one of the best in the Blackhawks’ system. His confidence in rushing the puck up the ice this year definitely improved over the past two years, something that was aided by having to do so much of the heavy lifting in Green Bay in his final year of junior. I’m not sure about his long-term potential, but he’s looking like a decent bottom-six option.

*Wyatt Kaiser (Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports)*

9. Wyatt Kaiser, D, 20 (Chicago Blackhawks)

Drafted: No. 81, third round in 2020

A speedy defender, Kaiser finished his three-year run at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the spring before turning pro. Kaiser had a career-high five goals and 23 points in 35 games, finishing college with 52 points over three years. Those are respectable numbers for a defender for whom offense isn’t the main selling point, with his footwork, passing and hockey IQ being standout qualities. Kaiser’s teammates seem to love playing with him, and he’ll be a decent part of Chicago’s blueline moving forward after a promising nine-game debut to close out 2022-23.

10. Sam Rinzel, D, 19 (University of Minnesota, NCAA)

Drafted: No. 25, first round in 2022

At 6-foot-4, Rinzel has the size NHL teams covet. He’s set to join the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2023-24 after a solid two-year run with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, and he’s definitely mature enough for next step. Rinzel is capable offensively, but his strength and own-zone play stand out the most. He’s also a decent skater for his size, too. The Blackhawks will be patient with him given their influx of young defenders, but there’s a ton to love about Rinzel’s game.

Other notables: Adam Gajan, G (19), Nolan Allan, D (19), Colton Dach, C (20), Alex Vlasic, D (21), Ilya Safonov, C (22), Arvid Soderblom, G (23), Isaak Phillips, D (21), Michal Teply, LW (22), Paul Ludwinski, C (19), Nick Lardis, RW (18), Victor Stjernborg, C/LW (20), Gavin Hayes, LW (19)

Previous 2023-24 NHL Prospect Pool instalments

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