Top prospects for Chicago Blackhawks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1 -Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Chicago Blackhawks, according to NHL.com.

1. Connor Bedard, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 1 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Regina (WHL): 57 GP, 71-72-143

Might as well start with the next face of the Blackhawks.

Bedard (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) led the Western Hockey League in goals (71) and points (143) and was tied for first in assists (72). The 18-year-old also helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with a tournament-best 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in seven games, the most ever by a Canada player at the tournament and the fourth-most by any player.

"He wants to be great, he takes nothing for granted, he's humble," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. "I could just say he gets it. He just gets it. He's going to put in the work to be as good as he's going to be, or can be, and that's really exciting, considering how good he already is."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Lukas Reichel, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 17 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Chicago (NHL): 23 GP, 7-8-15; Rockford (AHL): 55 GP, 20-31-51

The Blackhawks didn't want to rush things with Reichel (6-0, 170), especially last season with the start of their rebuild. But there's no doubt the 21-year-old is ready for a full-time role. He has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 34 games over the past two seasons with Chicago.

"Here's another guy who's physically starting to develop," said Anders Sorensen, coach of Rockford of the American Hockey League. "This year I think the mental maturity came a long way. Just knowing he's got a great work ethic, but he's finally starting to put it all together. I think the sky's the limit. I think he's a great kid, he's a great off-the-rush player, he's a super smart player, and he's super coachable."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Kevin Korchinski, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 7 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Seattle (WHL): 54 GP, 11-62-73

Korchinski (6-1, 185) had a strong season with Seattle, especially during the playoffs, when the 19-year-old had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 19 games to help power a WHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup final.

"Now it's time for him to rest and rejuvenate and just come and show us that he belongs here next year (by performing well) at rookie camp and main camp," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. "I don't expect anything less from him. He's a guy that's got a high-end motor and goes. He can definitely skate in the League. We want to make sure that he's going to be comfortable and able to defend and do everything else a defenseman has to do in this league to play."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Alex Vlasic, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 43 pick in 2019 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Chicago (NHL): 6 GP, 0-1-1; Rockford (AHL): 56 GP, 2-17-19

Vlasic (6-6, 199) obviously brings size and has played 21 games with the Blackhawks over the past two seasons (three points; one goal, two assists). The 22-year-old had a strong season for Rockford and was part its first power-play unit.

"It was actually (Blackhawks assistant general manager) Norm MacIver and some of these guys who brought it up to me and said, 'Why don't we try him (on the top power play)' just try to encourage him to do more with the puck," Sorensen said, "and we did. I was really happy with his progress."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Cole Guttman, F

How acquired: Signed as free agent on Aug. 18, 2022

2022-23 season: Chicago (NHL): 14 GP, 4-2-6; Rockford (AHL): 39 GP, 16-14-30

Guttman (5-9, 167) was having a good showing for Chicago before he had surgery on his right shoulder on March 16. He was expected to be out for four months.

"With the medical, I'm not sure. That's not my field," Sorensen said. "But from what I understand, indications are he'll be ready for training camp and if he is, I think it'll be determined on the ice how he does."

Projected NHL arrival: This season