Now that the NHL Entry Draft has come and gone, it’s time to take a look at the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect pool. I’m not the biggest fan of rankings, so take these with a grain of salt. There is very little difference between being the 40th-ranked prospect and the 30th.  I’ve determined the order of this list based on what I think each player’s NHL ceiling is. The prospects have been split up into groups of five, so think of those as tiers, where the order could be interchangeable. Everyone has a different standard for what they consider a prospect. For me, it’s any player in the system who hasn’t cemented an NHL roster spot yet, regardless of games played.  

We’ll revisit this list after the World Junior Championship in January, and then again next summer. Today, we wrap up this series with the top five prospects in the Blackhawks’ system.  

5. Nick Lardis, F – 20, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds

If you told me in Nashville when the Blackhawks selected Nick Lardis in the third round that he’d be a top-five prospect in two years, I would have asked for some of what you were smoking. But here we are. He exploded for a historic season with the Brantford Bulldogs, scoring 71 goals and 117 points in 65 OHL games. He was the first 70-goal scorer in the OHL since John Tavares had 72 in 2006-07. Lardis carried his scoring touch into the postseason, where he had 11 goals and 15 points in seven games before suffering a knee injury.

Lardis confirmed at development camp that he will be ready for training camp, and he looked bigger than he did a year ago. There is no doubt that his elite shot will continue to give him opportunities to make the NHL. His release is lethal, and he’s the best finisher in the pipeline. However, he needs to round out the rest of his game if he wants to be more than just a one-trick pony. He has had issues with defensive engagement, being willing to be physical, and winning puck battles. Being an elite goal scorer is wasted if you’re a complete liability when you aren’t shooting the puck. Lardis will be given a chance to make the opening night roster, but he will likely need time in Rockford.

4. Kevin Korchinski, D – 21, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

Nobody in the Blackhawks system has been affected worse by the CHL-AHL age restriction than Kevin Korchinski. After having to play in the NHL as a 19-year-old, he played most of last season with the IceHogs. He scored three goals and 27 points in 56 games, with a minus-17. He was also the MVP of the AHL All-Star Classic. He had two goals and four points in seven playoff games, while showing a physical edge that he will need at the next level.

It seems that wanting to trade Korchinski is the way to be trendy on social media these days. Trading him just to trade is a huge mistake. Now, if he’s involved in a deal that brings in a young top-six forward who will be a core member for years to come, that’s a different story. Young defensemen take time to grow into their games. Guys like Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are unicorns. Great defensemen like Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson required multiple AHL seasons and extensive NHL experience before reaching their full potential. This is not a “make or break” season for Korchinski, but he does need to take a stride forward. He will have every opportunity to make the opening night roster. Spending time in Rockford again will not be a failure as long as he’s progressing.

3. Sam Rinzel, D – 21, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds

Like Lardis, Sam Rinzel’s rise up the organizational depth chart has been nothing short of spectacular. When he was taken 25th overall in 2022, many thought it would be three to five years before he’d even be considered for an NHL roster spot. After two seasons at the University of Minnesota, he made his NHL debut last spring and may never make a stop in the AHL. After 10 goals and 32 points in 40 NCAA games last season, Rinzek had five assists in his nine games with the Blackhawks.

Rinzel is a textbook example of how much the college game helps young blueliners. He was able to improve his game with more practice time and also become bigger and stronger in the weight room. His smooth skating stands out immediately. Everything comes with minimal effort. His size and mobility are what NHL general managers crave. He’s still a long way from being a bona fide star, and there will be growing pains this season. However, the Blackhawks might have a top-four defenseman for years to come in Rinzel.

2. Anton Frondell, F – 18, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

The third overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Anton Frondell, slots directly into the second slot. The well-rounded center brings size and a defensive game to the prospect pool. He scored 11 goals and 25 points in 29 HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier league. He was impressive against older, veteran players. He will return to Sweden for a full season in the SHL. We could see him in the NHL by the end of the season, depending on whether Djurgårdens IF makes a deep postseason run. He is also a lock to make Sweden’s World Junior Championship team.

Two minutes of Anton Frondell’s (#2025NHLDraft) best offensive moments from this season.

Blistering one-timers from the half wall, angle-changing releases from mid-range, strong off-puck instincts around the slot, creative finishing solutions from close range. pic.twitter.com/Psm7A0x29X

— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 5, 2025

Frondell may only be 18, but he plays like a grizzled veteran. He boasts a physical edge and a booming shot. Scouts have described him as “a tank on skates.” His strength and ability help him protect the puck well and be more patient in the offensive zone. He has excellent hands in tight areas around the net and scores greasy goals as well as highlight-reel worthy ones. Frondell is already a complete 200-foot player, as his awareness allows him to disrupt the play defensively. He could develop into a physical two-way player with elite goal-scoring skills.

1. Artyom Levshunov, D – 19, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds

Artyom Levshunov did his best to quiet the discourse over who the Blackhawks should have drafted second overall in 2024. Unfortunately, no matter how good he becomes, some will always compare him to Ivan Demidov. The 19-year-old blueliner showed flashes of why the Blackhawks have so much faith in him. He had five goals and 22 points in 52 AHL games for the IceHogs. However, he struggled in the second round of the playoffs against the heavy and physical Milwaukee Admirals. Levshunov put up six assists in his 18 NHL games.

Levshunov showed brilliance with and without the puck throughout his first professional season. Were there struggles along the way? Absolutely. He needs to work on his consistency, but that can be said about every defenseman with his experience. Don’t forget; he has played at four different levels (USHL, NCAA, AHL, NHL) over the past three seasons, while still adapting to life in the United States. The elite skating skills and puck-moving abilities show why the Blackhawks believe he is their number one defenseman of the future. It will be up to him whether he makes the opening night roster or not. All players develop differently, especially young defenders.

Blackhawks Prospects Rankings & Reviews

40-36: Kanarsky, Peltonen, Mast, Holmes, & Kuzmin
35-31: Svensson, Cumby, Henry, Tohila, Flecman
30-26: Sumpf, Harding, Behm, Ludwinski, Hayes
25-21: Thompson, Gajan, Misiak, Crevier, Slaggert
20-16: Pridham, Mustard, Savoie, Spellacy, Allan
15-11: West, Nestrasil, Dach, Vanacker, Del Mastro
10-6: Commesso, Greene, Kantserov, Moore, Boisvert