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Chicago Blackhawks: Top 5 prospects to get excited about in 2019

By Dave Stevenson

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3 of Sweden versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3 of Sweden versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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2019 nhl draft chicago blackhawks
Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images /

After a strong 2019 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks prospect pool is surprisingly deep. Here are their top 10 prospects entering the 2019-20 season.

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a unique position. They’re trying to win now while still make themselves better for the future. That’s the Catch-22 you find yourself in when your core is aging. This core has won three Stanley Cups, so the next wave of players have a lot to live up to.

Last summer, the Blackhawks prospect pipeline wasn’t looking too strong. But I think with the improvements their prospects have made, along with those they have added, they have an above-average pipeline. They likely fall in the 10th to 15th range even after the Blackhawks lost Henri Jokiharju to the Buffalo Sabres in the Alex Nylander trade.

Allow me to clarify my definition of a “prospect” because everyone seems to have a different definition. Mine is fairly simple. If you meet the following criteria, you’re a prospect.

  • Under 25 years old as of the start of the 2019-20 season
  • No more than 30 games in a single NHL season or 40 NHL games overall

For example, Dylan Sikura is not a prospect. He played in 33 games last season. Alex Debrincat, despite being under 25, isn’t a prospect. Neither is Collin Delia, as he just turned 25 years old. The Blackhawks are getting younger and that’s worth getting happy about. Let’s take a look at which five prospects Blackhawks fans should be keeping an eye on.

Honorable Mentions

Philipp Kurashev has quietly put together two consecutive strong seasons for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. In his last 118 games there, he has 125 points. Kurashev impressed at both the World Juniors and the World Championship for Switzerland, combining for 11 points in 15 games between those two events. He’ll likely be playing in the AHL this season, so definitely keep an eye on him.

Evan Barratt has always had skill, but had trouble putting it all together before last season. He had a breakout season for Penn State, putting up 43 points in 32 games in his sophomore season. Barratt has a high hockey IQ and he seems to have figured out how to turn his immense talent into results. With 17 goals last year, he’s a better goal scorer than he’s given credit for. If last year wasn’t a fluke, Barratt could push for an NHL roster spot next year.

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