EP Rinkside 2022 NHL Prospect Pool Rankings: No. 13-ranked Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the midst of a total teardown rebuild. We're talking an HGTV-level gut job; smashing walls down with a hammer, leaving only the two-by-fours intact, and then starting from scratch.

After gutting the roster of the likes of Kirby Dach, Brandon Hagel, Petr Mrázek, Marc-André Fleury, and star winger Alex DeBrincat for futures, the Blackhawks made five selections in the top 60 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and currently hold six selections in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. With captain Jonathan Toews and current second in franchise scoring, Patrick Kane possibly on the move as well, we could see more draft bounty on the way to the Windy City.

With nearly two-fifths of the Blackhawks’ current pool being fresh faces and four players being part of the Elite Prospects Top 100 Affiliated Prospects list, their prospect contingent is full of high-upside, high-risk bets. Combine that with a glut of AHL defenders who already have dipped their toes in NHL action, and a high-end goaltender prospect in Drew Commesso -- the coffers are filling up with the next generation of players. Whether it’s a beautiful remodel or a DIY nightmare, only time will tell. {