Blackhawks Cowboy gives his full “Prospect Period” Prospects are classified by what is classified as “In the System” in Elite Prospects
With the Olympic Break wrapping up, it’s time for Chicago Blackhawks fans to sober up. The past two weeks have been a treat to watch. Meaningful hockey that hasn’t been felt by this fanbase since 2020 was a pleasant experience.
However, instead of superstars like Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, and Tage Thompson on our team, we get to watch the sub .500 Blackhawks team play hockey once again. Good news, the turn of the break will bring us the trade deadline and the addition of young internal (and hopefully) external pieces over the coming years.
Tier 6: Non-Factors
Erie Otters defenseman Ty Henry skates against the Kitchener Rangers during an Ontario Hockey League Western Conference quarterfinal game at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie on April 4
Players included: Janne Peltonen, Ty Henry, Riku Tohila, Joel Svensson, Ryan Mast, Jake Furlong, Jiri Felcman, Dmitry Kuzmin, Stanislov Brezenhoy, Samuel Savoie
Not every pick will be a hit. Not every trade will bring in a future franchise player. This tier is representative of that. Tier 6, the non-factors, is composed mostly of late-round picks from years past. Players like Janne Peltonen or Jiri Felcman, who will never play North American hockey. Others like Dmitry Kuzmin, Samuel Savoie, and Stanislov Brezenhoy will carve out lower-level professional careers. However, the chance that any of these players make the league is slim, if at all.
Tier 5: Low Chance NHLers
Ashton Cumby battles net front vs the Minnesota Wild. September 14, 2025
Credit: NHL Chicago Blackhawks
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Players included: Paul Ludwinski, Taige Harding, Martin Misiak, Aidan Thompson, Ilya Kanarsky, Ashton Cumby, Parker Holmes, Gavin Hayes
A small step above the last tier is the Low Chance NHLers. Here you will find mid-round to low-round picks that never materialized or even some “busts.” Paul Ludwinski and Martin Misiak headline the list of players whose chances of cracking into the Chicago Blackhawks lineup have all but been washed away. Both of them were highly touted second-round picks at one point whose potential has never materialized. Others, like Aidan Thompson and Taige Harding, were never expected to be contributors at the NHL level. From this list, Ashton Cumby and Parker Holmes will likely join the “Non-Factor” group in the coming years. Given that they are 2025 selections, it is too early to completely disregard them at this point.
Tier 4: Low Impact Roster Filler/Bubble Players
With the 72nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft
Players Included: Sacha Boisvert, AJ Spellacy, Jack Pridham, John Mustard, Julius Sumpf, Kevin Korchniski, Adam Gajan, Landon Slaggert, Ethan Del Mastro, Julius Sumpf
Tier 4 is gonna be the mesh spot. Prospects that flamed out and prospects on the rise intertwine here.
Among the risers, John Mustard, AJ Spellacy, and Jack Pridham have stood out as prospects. Spellacy and Mustard in particular have grown cult-like fanbases online. Fallers include some former first-rounders. Kevin Korchinski and Sacha Boisvert have seen hits in their stock over the past year or so. The third part of the tier comprises players who have seen the NHL, but with no regular time with the Chicago Blackhawks. The second part of this tier is what I call “The Bubble.” The Bubble is a tier that features the likes of Landon Slaggert, Ethan Del Mastro, and, until a recent trade, Nolan Allan.
Tier 3: Decent NHLer
Oliver Moore @STL for a preason game. Credit NHL Chicago Blackhawks Credit: NHL Chicago Blackhawks
Players Included: Nathan Behm, Oliver Moore, Marek Vanacker, Nick Lardis, Drew Commesso
Tier 3 is starting to show off some great talents. In my pyramid, tier 3 is a collection of the next two periods, once a better reading can be made on their potential. Starting us off is the combination of Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Drew Commesso. These three have all seen action with the Blackhawks, Lardis and Moore seeing extended time with the club. Both projects to be solid top-9 players, especially Moore, whose speed makes him a versatile asset. Commesso struggled in his first start this year but pitched a shutout in his second. He looks to be a very solid backup to Spencer Knight in the future.
Among the amateur ranks, Nathan Behm leads all Chicago prospects in points, and Marek Vanacker is second only to fellow Hawk, Jack Pridham, in scoring for the OHL. If their games can translate to a higher level, both can be solid middle-six players for the future.
Tier 2: The Wildcard
Players Included: Mason West
The “Wildcard” is a very special tier in the Cowboy Pyramid of Prospects. Usually, this spot is reserved for one or two players only. In the past, the likes of Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov have been in this spot near the top of the pyramid. Essentially, the “boom or bust” section. This player can go from first-line potential or completely wash out of the league, and no one would be shocked either way. Here is where we find Mason West.
West, the forward from Edina, was taken 29th overall in the 2025 NHL entry draft. At barely 18 years old and standing a monstrous 6’6 220 pounds, West quarterbacked (yes, football) the Edina Hornets to a 2025 State Championship before dropping the sport. Signed to the Fargo Force of the USHL and committed to play college hockey at Michigan State, West has all the potential in the world. But at the end of the day thats all it is. Potential. What Mason West can do with it remains to be seen.
Tier 1: Star Potential
Apr 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sam Rinzel (6) and Winnipeg Jets center Vladislav Namestnikov (7) chase the puck during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Players Included: Sam Rinzel, Vaclav Nestrasil, Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov
The top of every pyramid is the point at the top. It’s what makes a pyramid a pyramid. The base serves its role, but when people observe a pyramid, their eyes drift upwards, to the sky. Here at Cowboys Pyramid, some have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
Currently overseas, Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell are dynamic, each in their own ways. Kantserov was drafted in 2023 in the second round. This year, Roman has played both Center and Winger for Mettalurg of the KHL. Due to his teams sucess in Russia, Kantserov likely won’t be a Hawk this season. But next year, not one but two stars could be on the horizon. After being drafted No. 3 overall in this last draft, Anton Frondell has overcome poor management, lack of ice time, and other factors out his control, to still put up 15 goals in 36 games in the SHL.
Now in North America, Vaclav Nestrasil has been one of the two best players night in and night out for a decent UMass team. The Czech national was drafted from Muskegon and has impressed in his D+1 year. Nestrasil has recorded a very impressive 24 points in 28 games as just a freshman. Below, I’ll put a link to my interview with Vaclav before the season began.
Sam Rinzel has been great not only for Rockford but also for Chicago as well. The former Hobey Baker finalist scored 23 points in 54 games between the two teams. He’s hit the normal right patches that every rookie defenseman has, but he has more than star potential for Chicago.
The Cowboy Round-Up and What’s OnTap
Wrapping up year four of the rebuild, many players have graduated to the NHL. Artyom Levshunov, Frank Nazar, and Wyatt Kaiser are players who haven’t touched AHL ice so far this year. Spencer Knight and Connor Bedard are looking like superstars in this league. With that, the puzzle is now coming together, and not all the pieces will fit. It will be interesting to see which of the prospects trade, flame out, or thrive in the Windy City.