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Chicago Blackhawks: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about

By Colton Pankiw

Brandon Hagel #38 of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Brandon Hagel #38 of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Brandon Hagel (38)
Brandon Hagel #38 of the Chicago Blackhawks.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Brandon Hagel

Since being taken in the Sixth Round (No. 159 overall) by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Brandon Hagel has continued to get better and better. While he will likely never become an elite NHL talent, he certainly has the potential to develop into a solid middle six forward. In fact, he doesn’t seem to be very far away from that already. The 22-year-old put up an impressive 19 goals and 31 points in 58 games this past season, his first as a pro, with the Rockford IceHogs.

Considering the numbers he put up during his junior career for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, it remains a mystery as to why the Sabres elected not to offer him an entry-level contract. Whatever the reason, the Blackhawks sure don’t mind, as they were able to obtain a very offensively talented prospect for nothing. While Hagel’s first AHL season was by all accounts a success, he should be able to boost those numbers even more going forward. His 41 goal, 102-point 2018-29 season with the Rebels proves just how much talent he has.

Philipp Kurashev (71)
Philipp Kurashev #71 of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Philipp Kurashev

Like Hagel, Philipp Kurashev had a pretty solid rookie season with the IceHogs, posting seven goals and 19 points in 36 games. What makes those numbers even more impressive is the fact that he was just 20-years-old for the entirety of the season. The now 21-year-old Swiss forward was taken by the Chicago Blackhawks in the Fourth Round (No. 120 overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft after his second season in the QMJHL, in which he posted 19 goals and 60 points in 59 games.

Related Story. Top 8 St. Louis Blues Prospects to get excited about. light

After being drafted, Kurashev spent one more season in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts and was able to improve his totals from the season prior, scoring 29 goals and 65 points in 59 games. Both of those totals easily led his team, as Andrew Coxhead came second in both goals with 19, as well as points with 47.

Kurashev is currently playing in the Swiss National League while waiting for hockey to begin in North America, and he is putting his playmaking abilities on display with eight assists in 12 games. While he likely still needs some more development time in the AHL, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get at least a few games in the NHL this upcoming season.

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