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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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Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

5. Aleksi Saarela

If Aleksi Saarela‘s last name sounds familiar, it should – the Blackhawks drafted his brother Antti Saarela in the 2019 NHL Draft. Chicago got the former in the Calvin de Haan trade. Saarela was one of the Charlotte Checkers best forwards last season. He wasn’t happy with the organization, though, so they traded him.

Saarela is getting a fresh start with the Blackhawks. He’ll be motivated to prove the Hurricanes wrong. Last season, Saarela had 30 goals, 24 assists, and 54 points during the regular season in 69 games. Additionally, he had 15 points in 17 games during the Checkers’ Calder Cup run.

Everywhere Saarela has gone for an extended period of time, he has scored. Goal scoring tends to translate well across levels. Saarela could push for a roster spot with the Blackhawks this season, but he’ll likely start in the AHL. Still, expect to see him sooner rather than later.

Saarela has a high ceiling. I could see him as a top-six forward because he’s so dangerous when he has the puck. Saarela has improved away from the puck but could stand to improve a little bit more in that regard. He didn’t get the chances he probably deserved in Carolina, but the Blackhawks will be more than happy to give him a chance since they could always use more skill.

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