After ranking the top 100 NHL prospects for 2015-16 and ranking each team by organizational depth, ESPN Insider Corey Pronman ranks the top 10 prospects for each NHL team. Here is his entry for the Chicago Blackhawks. Extended write-ups on prospects ranked in the top 100 can be accessed here.
Chicago's system remains solid despite an underwhelming 2015 draft class and the graduation of Teuvo Teravainen. They have a deep pipeline with many quality prospects, including an elite one in Artemi Panarin, who was signed as a free agent.
Gustav Forsling had a good 18-year-old season, playing top-four minutes for Linkoping in the Swedish Hockey League. His eight-point performance at the IIHF World Junior Championships is tied for 25th all-time by a defenseman, and is top 5 for an underage defenseman. It'll surprise nobody then that he's a great puck-mover with quality mobility, puck skills and a big shot. His defense isn't horrible, but there is definitely a lot of room for improvement there, as Forsling would often find himself caught out of position. He's average sized, but I think he's actually adequate when it comes to physical play.
Nick Schmaltz is a frustrating player, because he is wildly inconsistent yet also wildly talented. He's a highly skilled playmaker who can make unique offensive plays, whether it's with his hands, vision or skating. However, his all-around play -- particularly his physical play -- is a major work in progress. On his best shift, Schmaltz can make plays few others can, and shows a very high level of offensive hockey sense due to his creativity and patience.
Phillip Danault is a good skater with a great burst in his first step. He's an excellent penalty killer who works hard, and has above-average hockey sense. His pure skill level is the big question mark though, and he's likely not going to be on an NHL power play unless it's in a spot duty. He can set up a few plays with his vision, but doesn't have the puck skills to be real threatening. Due to a recent hip injury, he's going to be out of action for about three months. Trevor Van Riemsdyk got some NHL playing time this past season after signing out of college. He's an above-average puck mover with good hockey IQ. His skating has improved to about average, although his defensive play remains questionable.
Mark McNeill produced well this past season, but when talking to hockey people, the issue around him is discussing what his role will be in the NHL. Is he dynamic enough to be on an NHL power play? Is he good enough defensively to penalty kill at the top level? He's got size and some skill, with a big shot, and has shown versatility in the AHL, but as an NHL prospect, he's a bit of a tweener.
Tyler Motte is a versatile forward who does everything well. He brings good speed to the table, along with above-average puck skills and a fantastic two-way work ethic. Norell isn't a scoring type of defenseman, but he skates well and has excelled defensively at different levels during the past few years. His hockey sense is quite impressive.
Vince Hinostroza (11th) is a fun player to watch. He has a dynamic flash to his style of play, as his vision and creativity are high-end, but his physical game is lackluster.
Noteworthy prospect
Garret Ross (12th) got people's attention after putting up 43 points in 69 AHL games this past season. He has pretty good hockey sense, works hard and makes plays at both ends, but his skating is mediocre.
2015-16 impact
Van Riemsdyk and Ville Pokka should both push each other for NHL time on the Chicago right side. Panarin will slot into an everyday shift right out of camp. Ryan Hartman and McNeill could also be in position to contribute as injury call-ups while Kyle Baum showed last season he could potentially fill a bottom-of-the-lineup role right away, although he doesn't have a ton of upside. Danult was on the radar prior to his injury.