2025 Chicago Blackhawks training camp roster – breakdown
September 16, 2025
2025 Chicago Blackhawks training camp roster – breakdown
10 comments
I’m predicting Dach, Slaggert, Moore, and Lafferty, but have no problem with any of the contenders being the fill ins.
Defensively I expect Korchinski, Levshunov, and Del Mastro or Kaiser
Could see Lardis being a splash but I figure he’s the next one up after the 5, be it for injuries or if guys who are on the roster are just not impressing, I’d rather the young guys get time even if it means cutting a vet or two.
53 names is a lot to remember for anybody so I think its useful to see a breakdown like this of where everybody stands. Players within each tier are listed alphabetically.
None of these categories are official, of course, just my informed-as-possible opinions of what’s likely. You can quibble with some placements but I’m pretty confident in these evaluations. Some notes –
* I thought about putting Reichel in “contenders” because he is on thin ice and everyone in that category deserves a shot, but given he spent the entire year in the NHL last year even with a very rocky performance, with the new coach in place I imagine they’ll let him start there again this year. We’ll see how long he lasts.
* Soderblom is almost certainly going to start in the NHL, but technically on the depth chart I would say he is below Brossoit given the latter’s contract and pedigree. But Brossoit has barely skated at all in over a year so even if healthy (still a big if) I doubt they throw him right in the NHL.
* Kaiser is an RFA who oddly has yet to sign his new contract. It sounds like he and the team are still struggling to come together. But he is on the list on blackhawks.com and the CHGO guys said he has been participating in the “informal” practices for the older players that took place alongside rookie camp. But whenever he does sign he is very likely to break camp with the team given his long and relatively successful stint last year.
* Spellacy probably goes to junior, but I had him in that category last year and he shocked everyone by nearly making the team out of camp, being one of the final cuts. Given that, and his impressive performance at the showcase, I’m giving him a chance to make the team. ~~~However, even if he doesn’t, with the new rule allowing AHL teams to roster one 19 year old, (the Kevin Korchinski rule?), Spellacy is probably the best candidate for that spot if the Hawks decide to use it. So NHL AHL and OHL are all decent possibilities for him.~~~
Any of the Rockford guys could in theory make the team if they have an excellent camp, I’m not ruling anybody out, just being realistic about their chances.
Probably everybody in the Contenders and Hopefuls categories will get at least SOME time in the NHL this year due to injuries and general roster churn. This list is strictly for predicting the opening night roster.
Levshunov, Kaiser, and Korchinski are on the team
Just give Arvid the spot.
My thoughts:
* Soderblom will almost definitely be on the NHL roster. His numbers don’t really show it because he was playing behind a bad defense, but he played well last season and is only 24. He’s not waiver exempt, so they might lose him for nothing if they tried to put him in Rockford. I doubt management would take that risk.
* I’d like to start the season with Crevier as the 3rd RHD behind Rinzel and Murphy. Let Levshunov mature more in the AHL and then bring him up after Murphy gets moved at the trade deadline (earlier if his play in the AHL makes him undeniable).
* I have no idea who’s gonna win the battle at LHD between Korchinski, EDM, Allan, and Kaiser. Especially if Grzelcyk earns a roster spot and leaves only 1 for a youngster to claim. Korchinski obviously has the highest ceiling, but the other guys are 1-2 years further along in their development and better defensively.
* Dach, Slaggert, Lafferty, and Greene would be my guesses to fill out the forward group. Give Moore the Nazar treatment and hope that he follows the same path.
* Lardis could benefit from spending some time in Rockford before making his NHL debut. It’s a massive adjustment going from the OHL to the pros.
* I wish Spellacy hadn’t signed his pro contract yet, because I think the NCAA would be a good place for him. His speed and physicality is great, but the rest of his game is not pro ready.
Berezhnov isn’t a “contender” for Rockford as he’s got an ELC and will almost 100% be backup to Drew this season.
Yikes
Is Rinzel already a write-in for defense? I guess he’s basically the line between contenders and shoe-ins based off performance last year in his handful of games, but I guess given the other names there, it makes sense.
Sodersieve can go to Rockford and let them in between the pipes constantly there.
10 comments
I’m predicting Dach, Slaggert, Moore, and Lafferty, but have no problem with any of the contenders being the fill ins.
Defensively I expect Korchinski, Levshunov, and Del Mastro or Kaiser
Could see Lardis being a splash but I figure he’s the next one up after the 5, be it for injuries or if guys who are on the roster are just not impressing, I’d rather the young guys get time even if it means cutting a vet or two.
The team released the [official roster](https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-2025-training-camp-roster-and-schedule) today and I thought I’d update the graphic I made last year. (That one is [here](https://i.imgur.com/ANSLr1o.png), take a look if you’d like to reflect on how much the org has evolved in just 12 months)
53 names is a lot to remember for anybody so I think its useful to see a breakdown like this of where everybody stands. Players within each tier are listed alphabetically.
None of these categories are official, of course, just my informed-as-possible opinions of what’s likely. You can quibble with some placements but I’m pretty confident in these evaluations. Some notes –
* I thought about putting Reichel in “contenders” because he is on thin ice and everyone in that category deserves a shot, but given he spent the entire year in the NHL last year even with a very rocky performance, with the new coach in place I imagine they’ll let him start there again this year. We’ll see how long he lasts.
* Soderblom is almost certainly going to start in the NHL, but technically on the depth chart I would say he is below Brossoit given the latter’s contract and pedigree. But Brossoit has barely skated at all in over a year so even if healthy (still a big if) I doubt they throw him right in the NHL.
* Kaiser is an RFA who oddly has yet to sign his new contract. It sounds like he and the team are still struggling to come together. But he is on the list on blackhawks.com and the CHGO guys said he has been participating in the “informal” practices for the older players that took place alongside rookie camp. But whenever he does sign he is very likely to break camp with the team given his long and relatively successful stint last year.
* Spellacy probably goes to junior, but I had him in that category last year and he shocked everyone by nearly making the team out of camp, being one of the final cuts. Given that, and his impressive performance at the showcase, I’m giving him a chance to make the team. ~~~However, even if he doesn’t, with the new rule allowing AHL teams to roster one 19 year old, (the Kevin Korchinski rule?), Spellacy is probably the best candidate for that spot if the Hawks decide to use it. So NHL AHL and OHL are all decent possibilities for him.~~~
Any of the Rockford guys could in theory make the team if they have an excellent camp, I’m not ruling anybody out, just being realistic about their chances.
Probably everybody in the Contenders and Hopefuls categories will get at least SOME time in the NHL this year due to injuries and general roster churn. This list is strictly for predicting the opening night roster.
Levshunov, Kaiser, and Korchinski are on the team
Just give Arvid the spot.
My thoughts:
* Soderblom will almost definitely be on the NHL roster. His numbers don’t really show it because he was playing behind a bad defense, but he played well last season and is only 24. He’s not waiver exempt, so they might lose him for nothing if they tried to put him in Rockford. I doubt management would take that risk.
* I’d like to start the season with Crevier as the 3rd RHD behind Rinzel and Murphy. Let Levshunov mature more in the AHL and then bring him up after Murphy gets moved at the trade deadline (earlier if his play in the AHL makes him undeniable).
* I have no idea who’s gonna win the battle at LHD between Korchinski, EDM, Allan, and Kaiser. Especially if Grzelcyk earns a roster spot and leaves only 1 for a youngster to claim. Korchinski obviously has the highest ceiling, but the other guys are 1-2 years further along in their development and better defensively.
* Dach, Slaggert, Lafferty, and Greene would be my guesses to fill out the forward group. Give Moore the Nazar treatment and hope that he follows the same path.
* Lardis could benefit from spending some time in Rockford before making his NHL debut. It’s a massive adjustment going from the OHL to the pros.
* I wish Spellacy hadn’t signed his pro contract yet, because I think the NCAA would be a good place for him. His speed and physicality is great, but the rest of his game is not pro ready.
Berezhnov isn’t a “contender” for Rockford as he’s got an ELC and will almost 100% be backup to Drew this season.
Yikes
Is Rinzel already a write-in for defense? I guess he’s basically the line between contenders and shoe-ins based off performance last year in his handful of games, but I guess given the other names there, it makes sense.
Sodersieve can go to Rockford and let them in between the pipes constantly there.