Blackhawks Prospects Flood World Juniors Ranks In Impressive Pipeline Display

As we near the midpoint of the NHL season, things couldn’t get much worse for the Blackhawks, who currently hold a record of 10-22-1. The team wasn’t expected to make much noise this year, but it didn’t take long for fans to begin looking forward to the draft lottery more than a potential playoff berth.

Amid a rough season, the IIHF’s World Junior Championship thankfully began early Tuesday morning with a four-game slate, and an incredible six Blackhawks prospects were featured on two teams. The inclusion of these high-caliber prospects is a great sign of what’s to come for a team looking toward the future.

Frank Nazar

As perhaps the most anticipated prospect in the Blackhawks’ current pipeline, Nazar is finally fully healthy after he missed much of last year with an injury. The star center has returned with force to the University of Michigan, where he has 18 points in 18 games. He’s looking to lead Team USA to gold from the 2C spot, and will be the primary focus of the Blackhawks - Nazar is the skater closest to making the NHL roster in the future.

Gavin Hayes

Hayes makes the projected starting lineup as Team USA’s fourth man on the right wing. The 2022 third-round pick of the Blackhawks has rounded out his game since being drafted and is known for his excellent scoring ability. Chicago’s offensive pipeline is overflowing with talent, but Hayes is thought to have a real shot at the NHL roster in the near future.

Oliver Moore

Moore rounds out Team USA’s forward group as the team’s extra forward (teams get 20 skaters instead of the NHL’s 18, so he isn’t a scratch). The fact that Moore isn’t even in the top 12 forwards of his squad is a testament to the depth of the roster. The 19th-overall pick of this year’s draft was labeled a steal at his slot, and draws attention due to his extraordinary skating ability - he wins the race to nearly every puck. He’s having a great season at the University of Minnesota, and if he can get some ice time in the international spotlight, Moore’s unique game will stand out above his peers.

Sam Rinzel

As the only Chicago blueliner to appear in this year’s tournament, Rinzel is the third RHD for Team USA. The former first-round pick of the Blackhawks is making his first appearance on the international stage against some of the world’s premier young talent. It’s a big tournament for the young skater - he could gain a lot of confidence by performing well and carry it into his game at the University of Minnesota, improving the trajectory of his ascension to the NHL. With a painfully thin defensive unit in Chicago, the team could certainly use him.

Martin Misiak

Misiak is no stranger to international play - this season marks his third straight year with Team Slovakia’s U20 unit. This year’s second-round pick will likely spend most of his time on the team’s second line, where he’ll make a living as a good all-around forward. Misiak already logged an assist in the first game of the tournament this morning, and he’ll look to keep that energy going as a player Blackhawks fans should keep an eye on.

Adam Gajan

As the Blackhawks continue to struggle with a lack of goaltender depth, Gajan’s name becomes more and more relevant. The 19-year-old obviously won’t be between the pipes at the United Center anytime soon (he’s committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2024-25 season), but he’s been a pleasant surprise already in the USHL. Gajan should get plenty of time as Team Slovakia’s top goaltender, and he opened the tournament with a strong game, saving 27 of Czechia’s 29 attempts.