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2025-26 Midseason Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 rankings: The complete list

It’s all here.

Posted on by Dave Melton
Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

(Editor’s note: Instead of breaking this into a series of posts, it’s all right here on one big list with comments from the SCH staff as well as the SCH community of voters who joined in on this year’s rankings. The complete ballots are also at the end of this post. Thanks to everyone who participated!

No. 1 — Connor Bedard (C)

  • Birth date: July 17, 2005 (20)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (1st overall) in 2023 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 1 (Everyone)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 1, no movement

DM: Let’s take a moment and extend a thanks to all of our community voters who avoided any attempts to galaxy-brain this and joined us in a unanimous vote with Bedard as the No. 1.

EG: Not only does Bedard take our top spot (where he’ll continue to do so until the day he turns 26), but he should also have the top spot as the best player under 25 in the entire NHL as well. I know the national narrative has shifted toward Macklin Celebrini being the superior player, but IDGAF. Bedard has had similar production without a real linemate in sight, so I’ll just be over here watching him turn Shea Thoedore into dust on repeat into infinity:

No. 2 — Spencer Knight (G)

  • Birth date: April 19, 2001 (24)
  • Acquired via: Trade
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 3 (Eric), 6 (Zack), 7 (Dave, LBR)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 6, up four spots

DM: Here’s where we admit a small error: Knight was not included on our list of players in the community rankings. However, since he was a unanimous No. 2 on the SCH staff ballots, and because we know that the SCH community voters are among the smartest hockey minds on the planet, we know they probably would’ve done the same thing so we just went ahead and put Knight as No. 2 for everyone.

EG: No debates to be had. Knight has firmly established himself as both the second best and second most important player on the Blackhawks besides Bedard. Despite his numbers (and the team) coming back down to Earth after a white-hot start, he’s still 13th in Goals Saved Above Expected while playing behind a bottom-five defense.

No. 3 — Alex Vlasic (LD)

  • Birth date: June 5, 2001 (24)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (43rd overall) in 2019 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 3 (Dave, LBR, Steve), 4 (Eric), 6 (SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 3, no movement

EG: I think Vlasic resides more in the “pretty good player” category, as opposed to becoming the Jacob Slavin, Jr. that I once upon a time hoped he might be. Whatever he is, we need to get him away from Crevier, stat. Vlasic’s best season came when he was paired up with a mobile partner in Seth Jones, and anchored in more of a stay-at-home role, which is the ideal match for his skill set. I’d love to see him get an extended look with Sam Rinzel at some point.

SK: Vlasic has trended downward in my personal rankings. I do believe Seth Jones elevated his play (remember when he was cited as one of the NHL’s best shutdown defensemen?), and I also think being partnered with Louis Crevier has impacted him (while simultaneously boosting Crevier’s numbers). Vlasic will be an excellent middle-pairing shutdown player, just maybe not on the first pair as I would have once thought.

No. 4 — Frank Nazar (C/RW)

  • Birth date: Jan. 14, 2004 (22)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (13th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 3 (Eric), 4 (SCH), 5 (Dave, LBR, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 2, down two spots

EG: We’ve said it on the podcast a few times recently, but Nazar’s struggled enough lately that his final 25 games feel a lot more important than they probably should. Nazar got off to an impressive start with five goals and six assists in his first 10 games, but has only put up two goals and 11 assists in the 31 games since. Whatever has been plaguing him, hopefully he was able to get it sorted during the Olympic break. He’s at his best when he’s playing fast and confident, so I really don’t care how many points he puts up the rest of the way, as long as we’re seeing him create the same type of chances he was at the end of last season/beginning of this one.

SK: Frank Nazar’s recent stretch has impacted my thoughts on him. Yes, Nazar is a much better player than his recent stretch suggests, but it’s made me concerned about his future role. Goal scorers don’t go cold like he has (two goals in 31 games?). Kyle Davidon’s extension for Nazar was certainly a bet on his production, and it’s hard to argue that he’s lived up to the signing.

No. 5 — Wyatt Kaiser (LD)

  • Birth date: July 31, 2002 (23)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (81st overall) in 2020 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 4 (Dave, LBR, Steve), 5 (Eric), 11 (SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 13, up eight spots

SK: Kaiser’s had an excellent season. I’d argue that he’s been the best defenseman of the Hawks this season. Kaiser’s role as Levshunov’s safety has showcased some defensive smarts on his part, and we’ve seen Kaiser take steps forward in the OZ.

LBR: I say there isn’t really an argument: Kaiser has been the best defenseman for the Hawks this season. Outside of a handful of awkward games, he’s been the most consistent, well-rounded blueliner no matter who his partner or usage has been. He’s handled tough minutes without caving in personally, moved the puck cleanly under pressure, and quietly driven play at 5-on-5 in a way that doesn’t always scream for attention but shows up if you’re paying it any. On a blue line that’s had its share of turbulence, he’s been the closest thing to a stabilizing force.

No. 6 — Anton Frondell (C/LW)

  • Birth date: May 07, 2007 (18)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (3rd overall) in 2025 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
  • Rankings: 3 (SCH), 7 (Dave, LBR), 8 (Eric, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 7, up one spot

EG: Wasn’t super high on the Frondell pick to begin with, and a weird SHL season where it feels like he’s primarily been a power-play merchant isn’t making me feel better about it. That being said, it sounds like he’ll be on his way over as soon as Djurgardens playoff run is over, so I’ll be as excited as anyone to catch a glimpse of what he can do against actual NHL competition.

LBR: Frondell is probably going to be a somewhat divisive player until he gets to North America, and that’s less about talent and more about context. He hasn’t exactly been put in a position to succeed in Sweden, playing on a team that yo-yos him around the lineup and doesn’t offer much in the way of stability or offensive insulation. It’s hard to build rhythm — let alone confidence — when your role changes nightly and the leash feels short. Yet, Frondell has done decently well with that under-defined role, staying pace with his production from last year in a tougher league and rounding out some elements of his game. That’s progress, even if it’s not leaping off the scoresheet necessarily.

No. 7 — Artyom Levshunov (RD)

  • Birth date: Oct. 28, 2005 (20)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (2nd overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 6 (Dave, LBR, Steve), 7 (SCH), 9 (Eric)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 5, down two spots

EG: This is getting concerning fast. Levshunov has been one of the most sheltered defensemen in the league this season, while also being one of the worst. While there’s definitely skill and talent there, I currently have zero faith that the Blackhawks have any idea how to properly develop this player, and the fact that they sat him for a three-game “reset” before the break certainly isn’t making me feel any better.

SK: As a former public defender of keeping Levshunov at the NHL level over the AHL, I’d like to publicly eat crow and admit that I was wrong. Levshunov’s physical skills are impressive. But his hockey IQ has been exposed and, to be honest, I’m not so certain if that’s something time in the AHL could fix (not that I think he’ll get sent there, anyway).

DM: Two things feel true here: patience is required of any young defenseman who’s still figuring things out at the NHL level. But it’s also fair to question how much patience should be required of a player who was selected No. 2 overall. A positive finish to this hockey season for Levshunov would do wonders for the collective psyche of everyone involved, including us!

No. 8 — Roman Kantserov (RW/C)

  • Birth date: Sept 20, 2004 (21)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (44th overall) in 2023 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
  • Rankings: 5 (SCH), 6 (Eric), 8 (LBR), 9 (Dave)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 8, no movement

SCH: Kantserov is dominant in the second best league in the world.

DM: There probably isn’t a player I find more intriguing in the Hawks system right now than Kantserov. What he’s doing at his age in the KHL is remarkable, but we won’t know how well that translates to the NHL until he gets here. If it does? Hoo boy.

EG: The fact that he’s at No. 8 on this list might seem downright foolish 365 days from now. Let’s all hope that’s the case.

LBR: Kantserov remains one of the higher-upside swings in the prospect pool because the offensive skill package is legitimately intriguing. What he’s doing in the KHL is beyond exciting. The main questions are whether his frame can handle heavier NHL minutes and how smoothly his game adapts to the smaller North American ice surface. If those adjustments go well, there’s real top-of-the-lineup potential, but the uncertainty around the transition means he could be a boom-or-bust type of player.

No. 9 — Sam Rinzel (RD)

  • Birth date: June 25, 2004 (21)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (25th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) | Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • Rankings: 7 (Eric, Steve), 8 (Dave, SCH), 9 (LBR)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 6, up two spots

EG: I still believe that Rinzel not only has the highest ceiling of all the young defenders currently in the Blackhawks’ system, but also that he’s the only one with a shot of becoming that ultra-rare No. 1 defenseman every team needs in order to truly contend. His instincts and feel for the game are both mature and impressive enough that he got some dark horse Calder chatter before the season began — and while all of that is still under the hood — the fact that he scuffled in the way a lot of young players do in their first year in the league doesn’t change what he could become. The thing that impressed me most about Rinzel so far this season doesn’t even have anything to do with his play, but it was a quote (that I just spent 20 minutes looking for but couldn’t find) after he was recalled from Rockford on Jan. 30 where he said he understands now that the next part of his development is about the mental side of the game, and how hard it is as a younger player to accept that sometimes a boring shift is the best shift you can have (which is something Jeff Blashill has been repeating all season). Big Rinzel guy over here, and I still think the sky’s the limit.

LBR: There’s no way around the fact that Rinzel had a rockier start to this season than anyone really wanted to see. His time in Rockford hasn’t been spotless, but the bigger picture is more encouraging: he looks like he’s regained some confidence and started applying the right lessons in how he manages gaps, uses his skating, and handles pressure with the puck. The drop in ranking here has more to do with a little faith being shaken after the slow start than it does with any major long-term concern about Rinzel’s upside, plus the simple reality that some of the players ahead of him have just been steadier this season.

No. 10 — Nick Lardis (LW)

  • Birth date: July 08, 2005 (20)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (67th overall) in 2023 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) | Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 9 (SCH), 10 (LBR, Steve), 12 (Dave, Eric)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 11, up one spot

SK: Lardis has been fun to watch. What’s impressed me is that he’s finding scoring areas of the ice at the NHL level. He’s in the right places, and that’s what I wanted to see during his time here.

LBR: I really don’t think we’ve scratched the surface with Lardis. There’s just a lot to like: the speed is nice, the shot absolutely rips, and he plays with the kind of smarts that makes you lean forward a bit when he has the puck. At least in Rockford, it’s not empty-calorie offense, either: he stays involved, hunts pucks back, and keeps plays alive. Once he gets a little stronger and rounds out the small details, it feels like there’s another jump coming.

No. 11 — Oliver Moore (LW/C)

  • Birth date: Jan. 22, 2005 (21)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (19th overall) in 2023 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 10 (Eric, SCH), 11 (Dave, LBR), 12 (Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 10, down one spot

DM: This has probably been mentioned in a recap or two but the thing that’s impressed from Moore the most this season has been his vision and passing. The speed was such a known quantity that it seemed to overshadow other parts of his game that have been quite good, even if the ability to put the puck in the net will likely always fall short of the requisite skill their to make Moore a true top-six forward.

LBR: Moore has shown this season that he can absolutely be a legitimate NHL player. The question isn’t really whether he belongs, but how high the offensive ceiling goes. The floor feels fairly safe as a fast, hard-working checking-line forward who can kill plays with speed and energy, but there’s still a path to more if the offensive game connects just a little more consistently. If he can turn a few more rush chances into actual production and tighten the finishing touch, there’s at least a plausible middle-six, possibly second-line, projection.

No. 12 — Kevin Korchinski (LD)

  • Birth date: June 21, 2004 (21)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (7th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • Rankings: 10 (Dave), 11 (Eric, Steve), 12 (SCH), 13 (LBR)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 9, down three spots

DM: Korch is back up with the big club this week and the need for him to have an impressive stretch of games feels a lot more urgent than it probably should for someone his age … but that also seems to be the reality of the situation, doesn’t it?

EG: While I’m not quite ready to pull the plug on Korchinski being a big part of the Blackhawks’ future, with the way that they’ve handled him so far, I’m certainly looking at the plug.

LBR: Korchinski was arguably Rockford’s best defenseman last season and really stood out during the playoffs, where his offensive transition game and confidence with the puck were at their sharpest. This season was going alright until he was moved to his off-side, which seemed to disrupt some of the rhythm in his game. The potential is still clearly there – the skating and puck-moving ability that made him such a high-end projection prospect hasn’t gone anywhere — though whether he ultimately fully realizes that ceiling remains an open question, and especially if that potential will be seen in a Hawks jersey or not.

No. 13 — Ryan Greene (RW/C)

  • Birth date: October 21, 2003 (22)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (57th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 12 (LBR), 13 (Dave, Eric, Steve), 14 (SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 19, up six spots

SK: I didn’t expect Ryan Greene to make the roster out of training camp. Here we are, with 56 games under his belt this season. Greene has shown good positioning and impressive hockey IQ at the NHL level. I’m really intrigued by how he closes out the season.

LBR: Greene is another prospect whose ceiling probably isn’t going to be driven by raw offensive, but he’s shown enough hockey sense to be useful and productive, even if that production isn’t showing up on the scoresheet. The main positive is that he plays a smart, complementary style: he can keep shifts moving, make the simple play to support more skilled linemates, and generally avoid killing possession even if he isn’t the one finishing chances. The points haven’t always followed, but that’s not really the only measure of his value. So far, Greene’s shown that if he’s surrounded by higher-end talent, he’s the kind of player who can quietly help make that line work without needing the puck to dominate the conversation.

No. 14 — Drew Commesso (G)

  • Birth date: July 19, 2002 (23)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (46th overall) in 2020 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • Rankings: 15 (Dave, LBR, Steve), 18 (Eric, SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 18, up four spots

LBR: Some of the bump in Commesso’s rank here might be circumstantial since there just aren’t a ton of compelling goalie options behind Knight right now, especially with Arvid Söderblom faltering this season. But this isn’t just default optimism: Commesso has been genuinely steady for Rockford, refining his game in ways that actually matter with tighter post integration, better rebound control, and a calmer presence when things start to unravel in front of him. There have been plenty of nights where he’s been the only reason the IceHogs are even within shouting distance, absorbing extended defensive-zone shifts and still giving them a chance. That kind of consistency, especially behind a leaky team, carries weight.

DM: Goalie trajectories always seem to be longer and typically weirder than most. Commesso’s path has not been immune from that, with some slow starts and strong finishes in his Rockford tenure mirroring similarly bumpy rides during his seasons at Boston University. The overall trend seems to be pointing upward, though, and it seems like the next season or two will give Commesso a longer look at the NHL level. The No. 1 spot belongs to the guy near the top of this list but no one’s secured the backup spot yet.

No. 15 — Marek Vanacker (LW)

  • Birth date: April 12, 2006 (19)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (27th overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
  • Rankings: 15 (Eric), 16 (SCH), 17 (Dave, LBR, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 20, up five spots

LBR: Vanacker has bounced back nicely from his shoulder injury, and the biggest positive this season has been his scoring touch returning closer to the projection that came with him on draft day. Overall, he’s roughly on pace for about 10 more points than his 2023–24 total, which is a pretty solid recovery step coming off injury. The combination of size and speed is still the main draw, but he’s also flashed some smarter offensive reads and nice defensive instincts this year. With that kind of all-around progression, he’s put himself back into the conversation as a plausible middle-six projected forward rather than someone whose trajectory looks stalled.

DM: Vanacker doesn’t have the eye-popping OHL numbers that his fellow prospect and former Brantford teammate did but this season has done plenty to make him a player to watch as he moves on to the professional ranks later this season and hopefully makes a move towards the NHL — perhaps as soon as next season.

No. 16 — Vaclav Nestrasil (RW)

  • Birth date: April 06, 2007 (18)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (25th overall) in 2025 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
  • Rankings: 13 (SCH), 16 (Dave, Eric), 19 (LBR, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 17, up one spot

LBR: Nestrasil is still more of a long-term, patience-required type of prospect than someone who jumps off the page right now, but he’s made some really strong progress this season. The most notable developmental signs is that his NHLe projection production has roughly doubled compared to where it was pre-draft, which is a pretty meaningful step even if the raw totals aren’t eye-popping yet. His tools remain intriguing with his size, a decent sense of positioning, and flashes where you can see how his game might translate as he matures physically and reads plays quicker. Another season of similar development could see him move up this prospect list significantly.

SK: I’ve liked what Nestrasil has done in his freshman year with UMass. His production has cooled off slightly following a strong appearance at the World Juniors; he only scored three points in eight games. But he’s also been out with an injury since Feb 1.

DM: Would’ve been nice for Nestrasil to maintain his torrid rate of production from the first half of the hockey season but still an impressive hockey season overall for Nestrasil. A dominant sophomore season at UMass ahead of a promotion to the NHL next March/April would be the ideal path forward from here.

No. 17 — Louis Crevier (LD)

  • Birth date: May 4, 2001 (24)
  • Acquired via: Seventh-round pick (188th overall) in 2021 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 14 (Dave, Steve), 16 (LBR), 17 (SCH), 22 (Eric)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 16, down one spot from 2024-25 rankings

LBR: Crevier’s often found himself paired with Alex Vlasic this season, and the results have mostly settled into “okay” territory. There are nights where the play can be a little rough around the edges, and others where you hardly notice him at all, which is honestly a fine outcome for a depth defender. The problem is the Hawks keep playing him outside depth, limiting everyone’s effectiveness honestly. However, credit where credit is due, Crevier hit the 100-game mark before the break and he’s at least proven he can play in the NHL. It just should be more as a 5/6/7 where he can provide quiet, but unremarkable stability.

SK: The Blackhawks have their future seventh defenseman, and that’s great and all, but it is curious that he’s played a lot of minutes with Alex Vlasic on the top-pair. There have been moments when Crevier has poor positioning on goals against, and I do think that he’s brought Vlasic’s play down. So why did I rank him at 14? Like LBR said, he’s proven that he can play in the NHL.

No. 18 — Ethan Del Mastro (LD)

  • Birth date: January 15, 2003 (23)
  • Acquired via: Fourth-round pick (105th overall) in 2021 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
  • Rankings: 14(LBR), 16 (Steve), 19 (Eric), 20 (SCH), 22 (Dave)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 12, down six spots

EG: Del Mastro certainly has all the tools to be a complete defensemen (and probably with a bit more offense than you think), what he really needs now is the chance to work through his nerves and settle into the NHL lineup for an extended look to see what he can do with them. It feels like Connor Murphy could be traded any minute now, so that might be his best (and last?) shot at cracking the lineup. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we know what Crevier is, and more importantly, isn’t, at this point, it would be a significant misstep if the organization moved on from Del Mastro before it was able to answer the same question(s) about him.

LBR: Del Mastro still profiles as a dependable, steady defenseman, but he hasn’t really had a large enough sample / opportunity to show what he might be capable of at the NHL level yet. Part of that is on him after a poor showing at training camp, but there’s also an argument that he’s been somewhat blocked by other roster decisions when he might have benefited from a longer look.

No. 19 — Nathan Behm (LW/RW)

  • Birth date: April 18, 2007 (18)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (66th overall) in 2025 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
  • Rankings: 14 (Eric), 18 (LBR, Steve), 19 (SCH), 23 (Dave)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 23, up four spots

EG: I’m higher on Behm than most, and I see some Matt Boldy in his game. Behm is a bigger forward with a great shot who plays with speed and does just about everything well. He’s headed to Arizona State next fall — so he’s still a few years out. If you’re going to conduct a rebuild entirely through the draft — which is what it appears Kyle is attempting to do at the moment — then you’re going to have to hit big on a few mid to late round picks in addition to the first rounders. I think they did with Behm.

DM: This is probably the surprise player of the season within the Blackhawks prospect pool, although the road between him and the NHL remains a long one. But Behm is certainly a more intriguing prospect now than he was when the Hawks drafted him last summer and we’ll need to keep a close eye on him at the NCAA level next season.

No. 20 — Sacha Boisvert (C)

  • Birth date: March 17, 2006 (19)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (18th overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: North Dakota (NCAA)
  • Rankings: 15 (SCH), 19 (Dave), 20 (Eric, Steve), 21 (LBR)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 14, down six spots

SK: Sacha Boisvert is expected to turn pro at the end of his season with BU, however, he’s not having the season many hoped he would. His shoulder injury has impacted his production and limited him from appearing in the World Juniors.

LBR: Boisvert has had a pretty iffy go of it in the NCAA so far. The production has basically plateaued, and while there have been injury setbacks mixed in, it’s hard to know how much grace to extend when you’re stacking up a prospect list. Boisvert was also never viewed as the highest-ceiling swing in the pool to begin with — more steady projection than star upside — and while he’s grown in some areas of his game, it hasn’t been a dramatic leap. Without a meaningful bump in offensive output, it’s tough for him to climb, especially as others around him push forward. Boisvert is only 20, though, and it might do him some good to spend quality time in Rockford next year where the Hawks can have more hands-on approach to his development.

No. 21 — Colton Dach (LW)

  • Birth date: January 04, 2003 (23)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (62nd overall) in 2021 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 21 (Dave, Steve), 22 (LBR, SCH), 25 (Eric)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 16, down five spots

LBR: Dach was never billed as one of the crown-jewel prospects, but there was a reasonable hope he could grow into that third-line, power-forward type who makes life miserable below the dots and chips in 35 to 40-ish point pace offense. Instead, this season has mostly parked him in fourth-line minutes, which isn’t exactly prime development real estate. There are still intriguing elements there — he protects the puck well and isn’t shy about contact — but he hasn’t really carved out a defined identity yet. Right now he feels a bit in-between: not quite offensive enough to force his way up the lineup, not quite specialized enough to lock down a clear-cut bottom-six role.

DM: My lingering memory of Dach this season was him skating on a line with Bedard earlier in the season, Bedard setting him for multiple prime scoring chances like the one below and Dach being unable to finish them. He was then quickly demoted to the bottom six where he’s remained and hasn’t really stood out much this season. It’s been hard to shake this feeling of dissatisfaction with Dach’s overall production and it feels like his long-term standing with this remains on a shaky foundation.

No. 22 — Jack Pridham (RW)

  • Birth date: Oct 08, 2005 (20)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (92nd overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
  • Rankings: 17 (Eric), 20 (LBR), 24 (Steve), 25 (Dave, SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: Honorable mention

EG: Pridham is having a huge season for Kitchener and is well on his way toward vaulting himself into that Lardis/Kantserov trajectory, wherein he becomes a completely different level of prospect. He certainly fits the mold of the type of player this front office has coveted the last few drafts — a defensively responsible winger with size who’s also a plus skater that can absolutely fly — and if the offense is for real now, he’s suddenly become a major asset.

DM: It’s an impressive season for Pridham, although he is on the older side for a player in the OHL, which is why his numbers are not as impressive as those of someone like Vanacker. Still someone worth monitoring in the next few seasons as he moves on to the professional ranks.

No. 23 — Adam Gajan (G)

  • Birth date: May 06, 2004 (21)
  • Acquired via: Second-round pick (35th overall) in 2023 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
  • Rankings: 18 (Dave), 21 (Eric), 24 (SCH), HM (LBR, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: N/A

SK: Gajan started the season strong with a .919 save percentage in 20 games. However, the next nine games saw his save percentage drop to .905. He’s spent some time away from Minnesota-Duluth as he was on Team Slovakia. I’d like to see Gajan close out the year on a strong note. We know that goalies take a long time to develop, and he’s only 21.

DM: Gajan’s trajectory offers reminders of Arvid Soderblom, as Gajan was almost an afterthought following a disastrous 2024-25 season but then put up some incredibly strong numbers in the first half of this season to return to these rankings. Still not sure which version of Gajan is indicative of the one we’ll be seeing in the future but he has, at least, made us consider his potential with the team again.

No. 24 — Landon Slaggert (LW)

  • Birth date: June 25, 2002 (23)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (79th overall) in 2020 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Rankings: 20 (Dave), 22 (Steve), 23 (LBR), Unranked (Eric, SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 22, down two spots

LBR: Slaggert is in a similar boat to Dach in that his role has never really felt settled this season. It’s always been known Slaggert’s offensive upside was going to be modest at best, so it’s a little strange that there hasn’t been a full organizational push to steer him toward the clearest path to sticking is becoming an elite shutdown, penalty-kill specialist who coaches trust late in games. The tools are there: he skates well enough to close space, plays with energy, and doesn’t shy away from the hard routes or board work. But until that identity is fully embraced and sharpened, he’s kind of hovering in that tweener space instead of maximizing what could be a very useful niche.

SK: Slaggert’s season hasn’t been consistent, even if he started off with an injury. I was impressed with his 33 games last season and saw a potential bottom-six forward, however, he hasn’t proved that he can consistently do that this year, which saw him get a stint in Rockford. Maybe it’s the condensed schedule, which I think has impacted the younger players on the team.

No. 25 — John Mustard (LW)

  • Birth date: August 16, 2006 (19)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (67th overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Providence Friars (NCAA)
  • Rankings: 23 (Eric, Steve), 24 (Dave, LBR), 25 (SCH)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 24, down one spot

SK: John Mustard is having a better sophomore season with Providence College than his freshman year (24 points in 31 games compared to 20 points in 37). I’m interested to see how he finishes the season, as Providence is having a good year all around.

LBR: Mustard is very much the kind of toolsy, project swing Kyle Davidson loves to draft, but he’s also one of the few in that mold who’s actually improved year over year. The offense has ticked up, the defensive details look stronger, and he’s learned how to weaponize his speed instead of just showing it off in straight lines. Heck, by NHLe projection, Mustard’s technically not that far behind where guys like Boisvert or Moore were tracking in comparable seasons, which at least makes you raise an eyebrow. The progress isn’t big enough yet to jump him up this list, but the trajectory is pointing more positively and that makes him a legitimate sleeper to keep an eye on.

HM — Mason West (C/W)

  • Birth date: Aug. 03, 2007 (18)
  • Acquired via: First-round pick (29th overall) in 2025 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Fargo Force (USHL)
  • Rankings: 19 (SCH), 25 (LBR, Steve), Unranked (Dave, Eric)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: Honorable mention

LBR: West is still very much a work in progress, and the sample size at this stage is pretty small, but the underlying tools are encouraging. Playing with the Fargo Force, he’s shown enough skating ability and raw athletic traits to suggest there’s something to build on, even if the details of his game are far from finished. The production has been just okay, but he’s not had a full year dedicated to only hockey yet either. The development path here is going to take time, and right now it’s more about watching how the skillset matures rather than expecting immediate impact.

SK: As someone who wasn’t a fan of the pick at the time, I do like the potential with Mason West. There’s just not a lot we can definitely point to. West begins with collegate hockey career next season, and I’m very intrigued to see how his physical tools translate.

DM: I’m just glad that we won’t have to endure any jokes about West being the best QB in Chicago since we all know who owns that title.

HM — AJ Spellacy

  • Position: Center/Right Wing
  • Birth date: Feb. 24, 2006 (20)
  • Acquired via: Third-round pick (72nd overall) in 2024 NHL Draft
  • 2025-26 team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
  • Rankings: 23 (SCH), 24 (Eric), Unranked (Betsy, Dave, Steve)
  • Last T25U25 ranking: No. 25, down to unranked

LBR: Spellacy is in a similar category to West where the tools really pop, but the developmental polish just isn’t there yet. He’s shown flashes with Spitfires of strong skating and obvious athletic upside that make you pause when he gets a step on defenders. The issue is more about how those traits are being converted into consistent, structured play — he’s still fairly early in the process of learning how to use his speed and skill in a more advanced, predictable way. Right now he’s very much a projection bet rather than a finished product.

DM: I understand that Spellacy projects as a bottom-of-the-lineup guy who can be a PK specialist but someone who could be in the NHL down the road should have more than 23 points in 44 games during their age-20 season in the OHL, right?

A few wrap-up comments from the SCH community voters:

I like these players. I think they have the most potential from this rank.

More rankings going to players who have played for the Blackhawks and looked good doing it.

I’m generally biased towards young players. The Hawks will be able to add second-pair defensemen or third-line wingers in free agency as needed. What they really need from their prospects is the high-end talent. I value ceiling more than floor. I also think we tend to overrate prospects, particularly those drafted in later rounds, based on what they’ve done recently. Jack Pridham is seventh in the OHL in points, second in goals. That’s great for a D+2 season for a guy taken at No. 92 overall. But most players taken at No. 92 don’t become good NHL players, and even if a player taken at No. 92 ends up becoming a fourth-liner, how much value are they really adding? The question we should be asking is, is Pridham’s season good for a player who will someday be a middle-six forward? Not particularly. At a certain point, the league you’re playing in is a sign as to how good you are, which is why I’m lower on our prospects in the CHL in their D+2 season, NCAA in their D+3 season, or in the AHL in their D+4 season or beyond.

Full ballots are below:

DaveEricLBRSteveSCH Community
BedardBedardBedardBedardBedard
KnightKnightKnightKnightKnight
VlasicNazarVlasicVlasicFrondell
KaiserVlasicKaiserKaiserNazar
NazarKaiserNazarNazarKantserov
LevshunovKantserovLevshunovLevshunovVlasic
FrondellRinzelFrondellRinzelLevshunov
RinzelFrondellKantserovFrondellRinzel
KantserovLevRinzelKantserovLardis
KorchinskiMooreLardisLardisMoore
MooreKorchMooreKorchinskiKaiser
LardisLardisGreeneMooreKorchinski
GreeneGreeneKorchinskiGreeneNestrasil
CrevierBehmDel MastroCrevierGreene
CommessoVanackerCommessoCommessoBoisvert
NestrasilNestrasilCrevierDel MastroVanacker
VanackerPridhamVanackerVanackerCrevier
GajanCommessoBehmBehmCommesso
BoisvertDel MastroNestrasilNestrasilBehm
SlaggertBoisvertPridhamBoisvertDel Mastro
DachGajanBoisvertDachWest
Del MastroCrevierDachSlaggertDach
BehmMustardSlaggertMustardSpellacy
MustardSpellacyMustardPridhamGajan
PridhamDachWestWestPridham

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