Kyle Davidson's work in Chicago exposed in the NHL's prospect pool rankings

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Joshua Deeds
September 1, 2024 (9:27)

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It's that time of year again, as The Athletic's Corey Pronman has released your team's prospect pipeline rankings.

Of course, Blackhawks fans should be nothing but smiles as they have the top pipeline in the NHL according to Pronman.

Chicago's system is characterized by 1) how top-heavy its premium talent is and 2) how deep its system is overall. The Blackhawks made a lot of picks in the last few years. The result is 17 prospects projected to be legit NHL players and the No. 1 overall pipeline. They are led by a potential star center in Connor Bedard and a potential star defenseman in Artyom Levshunov. Chicago probably needs a few more high picks to round out the premium talent in this organization and give Bedard some scoring support up front, but there is a foundation of a potential contender steadily being built here.

Pronman feels that there are 17 Blackhawks prospects who could turn into legitimate NHLers in the future. But that isn't all as his rankings were extended to include those who could have a chance to play in the NHL.

Alex Vlasic recently graduated from this and makes the list considerably more impressive.

Here's Pronman's ranking of the Blackhawks' current pipeline:

Connor Bedard, C
Artyom Levshunov, RHD
Kevin Korchinski, LHD
Lukas Reichel, W
Sacha Boisvert, C
Oliver Moore, C
Sam Rinzel, RHD
Roman Kantserov, RW
Colton Dach, C/W
Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
Nolan Allan, LHD
Isaak Phillips, LHD
Marek Vanacker, LW
Frank Nazar, C
Gavin Hayes, LW
John Mustard, C
Drew Commesso, G

And your "Chance To Play" honors:

Adam Gajan, G
Ryan Greene, C
Wyatt Kaiser, LHD
Nick Lardis, LW
Paul Ludwinski, C
Martin Misiak, RW
Milton Oscarson, C
Samuel Savoie, LW
Landon Slaggert, LW

What is interesting is that Pronman ranks Lukas Reichel higher than Frank Nazar, as they should honestly be switched. Blackhawks fans don't hold Reichel in that high of regard anymore. Pronman has also ranked Sascha Boisvert ahead of Oliver Moore in the rankings, but that depends if Moore finds his way as a center in the league, and if Boisvert continues his physical streak in the NHL as a Center.

Greene and Lardis made the honorable mentions list, but Lardis is a legitimate goal-scorer who needs to add size, while Greene could turn out to be a great bottom-six center in the future.

It's great that Isaak Philips got a mention, as we should find much to like about his abilities. While he's not NHL-ready just yet, many players aren't at 21 or 22. He has developed well, going on four years in the AHL.

Source: Bleacher Nation
We're Number One! Blackhawks Pipeline Ranked BEST in the NHL