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Chicago Blackhawks 2024 Draft Class & Prospect Pool Overview | THW Prospect Corner
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Jul 22, 2024
In this episode of The Hockey Writers Prospect Corner, Matthew Zator and Dayton Reimer get together to go through the Chicago Blackhawks' 2024 Draft class and dive into the prospect pool with the top five prospects, noteworthy players up front, on the blue line and in goal. They also talk about the strengths and weaknesses of it overall. The THW Prospect Corner crew are great writers too: Dayton Reimer - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/dreimer/ Matthew Zator - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/mzator/ Peter Baracchini - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/pbaracchini/ Follow The Hockey Writers: Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheHockeyWriter Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehockeywriters_ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheHockeyWriters Graphics by Vince Richard - https://www.behance.net/vincergraphics #2024nhldraft #blackhawks #nhldraft #prospects
View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, everybody
0:02
Welcome to another episode of Prospect Corner here at The Hockey Writers. I'm your host, Matthew Zattor, and as always, joined in by my one prospect expert here
0:11
Dayton Rimer. Peter is away, and it's funny, we switched from last week
0:17
And Peter here, and now we got Dayton. We'll get back together eventually here, but Dayton knows it going
0:23
It's good, yeah. Yeah, sad that it's not the full reunion again, but I can wait
0:28
It'll be okay. Yeah, we'll probably get next week. Hopefully. Yeah, hopefully
0:34
Nothing else happens. But we're going to continue our series, our Prospect Pool Overview series that we started a few about a month ago, I think
0:44
And we kind of went on and off as we covered the draft. But we're not going to repeat the other teams, but we're going to keep going and start and I guess restart with the Chicago Blackhawks and go from the top of the draft on skipping the teams we have already
0:59
gone through. But we're going to go with the Chicago Blackhawks. They had a really strong 2024 draft, a lot of really good names
1:06
A lot of names we've talked about on this show a few times. But we're just going to go through it and not go too deep into some of them because we
1:12
have talked about a lot of these guys already. But, you know, obviously Blackhawks went, Artem Lef Shunov with their first pick in the
1:23
first round and had three first round picks. We already know pretty much everything you need to know about
1:29
Ardenlev Shunov, one of the best defenders in the draft and probably, arguably, the best, I guess
1:37
depending on who you talk to. And then they went to Sasha Boy Verre and Merrick Vaneker
1:43
Again, we've talked about Boy Verre quite a bit. So, Dayton, what do you think about Merrick Vanekar, their third first round pick
1:51
Because that's a guy we probably haven't really talked about on this show and a lot
1:57
Yeah, I thought it was a pretty solid. selection by them. It was a little higher rank than I had
2:03
I had him as an early second rounder, but there was a lot of, like, really interesting skills
2:10
Actually, I might have moved him into the first round. I can't remember now. It's been a minute. My mind has been elsewhere lately
2:17
Yeah. I just got back from vacation. That's why I was not around last time
2:22
But, no, Vaneker has, or is it Van Acker? Benacher, I think it's Van Acker
2:27
I think it's Van Acker. Yeah, one of my friends. make sure I pronounce that right. Yeah, lots of really interesting skills in his game
2:34
I really liked what I saw, what I watched. He had a very good season with the Brantford Bulldogs, 82 points, 36 goals, pretty decent
2:43
playoffs, too. Not so good at the under 18s, just a goal, but he was playing a depth role, so it
2:50
was tough to shine. Yeah, really solid pick at 27. I don't think there was a lot of guys that they could have got better
2:56
He's a really smart player. I like how he thinks about the game and sort of, you know, takes control
3:03
And yeah, he's got some very interesting upside. I'm interested to see kind of how he pans out for a late first round pick
3:10
You can never really be 100% sure of how those work out. But that one's a solid one, but a Blackhawks
3:15
I liked it. Yeah. I say, Boy, Bear, we already know great two-way player
3:21
I think he's going to end up being a really good maybe middle six guy for the Blackhawks down the road
3:26
we're going to talk about the other other top prospects as we go through the show here
3:31
that they're going to end up having down the road. But yeah, three first round picks and three solid more
3:38
three more solid prospects that are going to be adding to their pool. Moving into the next round, the second round, they added, or third round
3:45
they didn't have a second round pick. But three third round picks and three really solid guys getting there too
3:51
John Mustard, we've talked about a lot so far, AJ Spalassie and Jack Pridham
3:58
I'll talk about Spilassi because I did his prospect profile. I'm really impressed
4:03
I actually wasn't sure where he was going to go in the draft, actually
4:07
Third round pick, I kind of projected him to be around there
4:11
I've just got his profile up here. Again, it's been a minute since I wrote it
4:16
I've seen where I actually had him going. And I'm saying that I said third round
4:21
So there you go. I actually was pretty right. said a third or fourth round probably 60 to 70 range guess where he went 72 i was uh almost i
4:32
kind of ranked him a little higher but you know really solid a guy that could potentially be a bit
4:38
of a steal in the third round i mean he wasn't really ranked a lot um only elite prospects had him
4:44
ranked at 70th uh and i shaltzs country scotti at 72 amongst north american skaters but
4:50
you know he what was interesting about him going through it is he actually um
4:54
had a chance of not going into hockey. He was actually a highly ranked NCAA top recruit for not hockey football
5:05
And, you know, he's a big guy. He's six foot two, 195 and was one of the higher guys that for football, could have gone to football route
5:15
but chose hockey and went to the Windsor Spitfires and ended up playing a pretty good energy role with them
5:24
last season and I'm really actually excited about his upside because he's really quick
5:31
very physical forward and has a bit of a leadership already, had an alternate
5:38
I had an A on his jersey this year for the Spitfire. So has that going about him
5:43
He's got great work ethic, great motor. Basically the players I like
5:48
That's why I write some of these players' profiles because I like what they bring
5:52
and one thing he's he's going to bring is that work ethic and that high motor
5:57
which I'm really excited to see what he can do in the NHL. At some point, I don't know, probably a third, fourth liner
6:05
And you need those guys in your lineup, as we see in the playoffs, those are the guys that really shine
6:10
And I think he can end up being a really good pick down the road. So I like that pick for the Blackhawks in the third round
6:18
Jack Pridham, Dayton, what do you think about him? He went 92nd
6:22
I know Peter was really high on him and actually wrote his profile, I believe
6:27
And, of course, he was high in John Mustard. So I think he's really, he really like, probably really likes the Blackhawks draft
6:34
But what do you think about Pridham there? Yeah, I think Pridham was a solid pick by them
6:39
He, unlike Mustard, who sort of fell into their lap at the third round
6:43
Pridham was pretty much expected to go in the late third round by most rankings
6:50
Like you said, Peter was a little higher on him than most
6:54
But yeah, really solid season with the BCHL. A little under a point per game, but in the playoffs he took off
7:02
he's got some decent size. He's really fast. Yeah, it could be a very solid pick
7:08
He's going to the Boston University for next season. So that's a really good place for someone who can develop that more two-way game
7:18
College is really good for that. So he's a bit of a project, but no, I think that's another, like you said, a really solid pick for the Blackhawks
7:27
They had a really good draft with the picks that they have despite not having a second rounder
7:32
I think, yeah, they nailed the mustard pick. He's a really intriguing player out of the USHL
7:37
Spalacey, another good one. Pridam, yeah, follows that is another solid forward that can add to that growing cohort for the Blackhawks that they have
7:50
just like high-end offensive guys who, you know, do have some other skills as well
7:55
Well, high energy too. I think John Mustard, another one, very high motor and seemed to like those types of players
8:02
going down the road here. And that's something, again, you need in the playoffs and even during the regular season
8:10
you need those guys to be those bottom six energy for guys to complement those highly skilled
8:17
And they already have quite a few of those guys. too. So yeah, very, very good picks
8:23
Jumping to the fifth round, they had one fifth round pick, and they chose Joel
8:29
Svenson as Swede. I don't know, I bet I'm not really familiar with him
8:34
Just looking at some of his Sky Reports here, great skater and great awareness, two of his
8:40
strongest attributes I don know Dayton have you seen Joel Spencer anything of him you want to kind of add there Yeah I probably in a little bit of the same boat as you Don know a bunch about him He a forward a left winger primarily
8:57
He's got decent size at 6'1, 185, according to elite prospects. Yeah, a bit more of a two-way player with the Vihou, Faiso
9:10
Something like that. His show, yeah. He was playing with the under 20 team in the S-HL
9:16
with them. He had 33 points in 25 games, 24 of which were goals. So he's got a really good shot. He actually led their team in goals, despite playing almost half as much as some of their top guys, namely Leo Sol and Millennius
9:34
So he's got some offensive upside. I think there is a lot of work to do, as you'd expect with a fifth round pick. But he did manage to sneak into seven games
9:46
games with the SHL. So he does have some pro experience already, which is promising
9:51
And that's probably where he'll be for the next couple of seasons, I would expect
9:55
as he sort of develops that more NHL-ready game. Yeah, I mean, again, sixth round pick, it's not, or fifth
10:06
What was I was, I was, geez, I jumped to, yeah, fifth, fifth round pick
10:11
I mean, sometimes these guys pan out, sometimes they don't. And, you know, you take a shot and, you know
10:16
he could potentially be good for them too. Final pick, they had Ty Henry in the sixth round, 163rd overall
10:25
This is a pretty good pick. I mean, this is a guy that played Erie Otters had a pretty good season for them
10:32
He had, I mean, he's not an offensive defenseman. He had seven assists in 54 games
10:38
He's more that more defensive defenseman, a pretty good, you know, physicality
10:45
good mobility as like that you want to add anything about tie henry i mean he's six
10:51
four so he's a pretty big defenseman left-hand shot i again not a if you just look at the
10:58
stat sheet you're saying well he's not much of a defenseman but uh you scoring's not always the
11:04
biggest thing you're looking at yeah um he hasn't scored a goal since joining the oh hl last
11:12
season or two seasons ago, 22, 23, which is, you know, something that you might take into account
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That's probably why he's a sixth round pick. But I did actually watch him a little bit
11:25
Back a couple of months ago, I was checking in on all of the prospects who were playing in the
11:31
CHL playoffs. And of course, the Erie Otters had a series or two. I can't remember exactly
11:37
but that led me to watching Ty Henry, and he looked really smart on defense
11:44
He was calm, he was smart. He kind of reminded me of the way Noah Warren plays
11:49
who was kind of a surprise invite to the World Juniors in 2024
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I didn't expect Noah Warren to get that invite, and all of a sudden he was there
12:01
and he played pretty solid. He's, yeah, just a big defensive physical
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defenseman who can make really smart plays. He doesn't make mistakes, at least not very frequently
12:15
He can be relied on to be sort of that depth guy. And that's what Erie seemed to do
12:20
So I like him as a late round pick. I think that's a great grab by Chicago. So hopefully he pans out
12:30
And hopefully he gets his first goal next season. Yeah. Well, it seems like he seems like he's more of that
12:36
focuses more on the defensive side more than offense. I mean, he's a good skaters
12:42
I mean, that could help him in the NHL if he does make it that far
12:46
Because if you are primarily defense, you've got to be a good skater
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You're not going to be able to be doing much. I mean, with all the skill that's in the NHL now and most guys are good skaters
12:58
you've got to at least have that in your back pocket. And it seems like that's what you're going to be able to
13:02
he does have. So if he can maybe add a little bit more offense to his game, then maybe he'll make it
13:09
But he's got the size. He's got the skating. So that's two things that are ready going for him
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One note, his dad was, played in the CFL, Andrew Henry, retired CFL players
13:21
That's pretty cool to see. So he's got some athletic genes. So that's, it seems like that's, again, one of his strengths, too
13:30
all right that's so that was the black hawks 24-24 draft now let's move into their top five prospects
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now some of these guys could be already in there so I'll give you my top five and it matches with
13:46
some of the others that have kind of looked around Ardenlochinov of course leading the way right now
13:52
of course Kevin Korsensky Connor Bedard are not part of this list anymore
13:56
they've graduated they played a lot of the season last year so they're not part of this list
14:02
Number two for me, Oliver Moore, three, Frank Nazar, four, Sasha Boyver, and five, Sam Renzel
14:10
Dayton, do you got, who's your top five? Is it pretty similar, or you got some changes there
14:17
Yeah, that's pretty similar. I might change Renzel for, like, Boisver or Van Acker
14:25
I think those guys are all kind of in this really good
14:29
second tier if you want to call it that um yeah other than that that's that's pretty much the
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only difference i've i would i would note those the newcomers are are maybe more interesting than the
14:45
old guys yeah i mean at the top three i think are pretty set i mean yeah those are pretty
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more nays are i mean i don't think anyone's going to disagree with those that top three i that beyond that
14:59
It's where it kind of gets, depends on your opinion of where these guys sit
15:04
So, but that's pretty good, pretty solid top five for the Blackhawks
15:10
I mean, Lev Shunov may, may graduate this list next year because he may play an entire
15:17
season next, next or this season for the Blackhawks, depending on if he decides to go back
15:22
to the NCAA. I don't know. I haven't heard anything of that's for sure
15:27
if he's coming to the NHL or not, he has signed his ELC
15:31
Yeah, so I think that means he's ineligible to return. That's right. When they sign ELCs there
15:37
he'll be playing. So it depends on if it'll be, it'll be in the NHL full time or not
15:43
We'll see. All right, well, that's, yeah. I mean, let's shoot off
15:49
I think he's NHL ready, just watching him already. I just, and it seems like the Blackhawks think the same by signing him
15:57
already and and he obviously thinks so too. Okay, let's talk about some noteworthy forward prospects
16:06
We can go forward defense and goalies. And outside of the top five because, I mean, we've talked about a lot about these
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unless you want to. I mean, you can talk about some of the top five because there are some really good guys in here
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So I will say you can talk about some of the top five. Dayton, who do you got
16:26
because there's some exciting names. You probably should be talking about. Nick Lardis is a really interesting prospect that they have
16:33
He was a third round pick last season in 2023. A little undersized at 511, 165
16:40
but he made his HL debut this year after putting up 50 points in 37 games, 29 goals
16:46
So he's got some real skill. And I mean, we harp on don't overlook the little guys so much on this podcast. Yeah
16:54
And I think this is one who very much shouldn't be. He's very good at what he does and I think could become an impact forward in the NHL
17:04
He's still a little bit of ways, of course, but he's one that kind of sticks out to me as that
17:09
next tier of top prospects with the Blackhawks. Another guy I really like is Martin Misiac
17:17
He doesn't quite have that offensive upside, I think, that Lardis does, a little bigger
17:22
and a little bit more strong on defense. He's a good forechecker
17:27
He has a little bit more of that strength. And he still has like a really good shot
17:31
He had 23 goals with the Erie Otters in 60 games this season and then put up three assists in five games at the World Juniors for Slovakia So he is also looking to make his HL kind of rookie season this coming year And I think he could be a really strong addition for them
17:50
kind of that middle six guy who can compliment a developing roster like the Blackhawks
17:56
Yeah, I mean, I'll add a couple names. Landon Slaggart, I've liked him since they drafted him
18:02
And he debuted in the NHL this past season after coming over from the University of Notre Dame
18:07
he had 20 goals in his last season there. Played 16 games with the Blackhawks at four points
18:13
scored his first NHL goal. One thing I love about him, again
18:17
his high motor, his physicality and ability to just be that big force out
18:24
out there. And the NHL will see if he can translate that from the NCAA
18:29
and his previous experience with the United States Development League. But it's, I think one thing
18:37
with him is he's going to be able to be that good third, fourth line guy
18:42
I don't think he has really high upside as a top six forward
18:46
but the biggest thing that I think he brings is that is that physicality
18:52
And just he's not afraid of hitting someone. And he has a
18:55
he's a pretty good skater too. And I've really liked Slegerd since
19:01
since 2020 when he was drafted. And another guy, I'll throw it again
19:05
I mean, Frank Nazar, you can't. He already has shown. I mean, he played in the NHL very limited games
19:12
but he scored in his first game, which is always, I love seeing that when you're
19:17
you know, scoring your first NHL game. And I think he's going to end up being a high end
19:24
you know, compliment to the Connor Bedard to, to Oliver Moore, those types of guys and end up being part of that. Again
19:34
the forward groups that they, forward group that they got coming up, Blackhawks are going to end up icing a very highly skilled top six once everyone's at their prime
19:44
Because Nazar Moore, Bedard, I mean, those three right there. You're looking at a pretty high-end young core moving forward
19:54
And Nazar I really like his game. Very skilled, very, you know, potentially be a 70, 80-point guy down the road
20:04
So I like Nazar. I like Slaggart. I think obviously two very different players
20:09
but I think ended up being pretty good for this upcoming young wave
20:15
that the Blackos have coming over here. All right, defense. Who do you got kind of highlighted
20:22
apart from Lev Shunov because we all know he's really good. Yes, yeah, Leves Shunov was, I think
20:30
the perfect pick for that, and a lot of us called it, and we'll leave it at that
20:34
I really like Landon Slaggart. I think he showed a lot of skill last year in his rookie season in the
20:43
HL, 37 points, which is always promising. He's also got that physicality that can be used well to support as more of a defensive defenseman
20:56
So he's got those two-way abilities that I think is really important if the team is
21:02
going to be building very high offense. you want your defense to play a little bit more, you know, stay at home
21:08
Six foot four, 205. Yeah, he can do some damage with that
21:14
I also really like Nolan Allen. He was a first round pick back in 2021
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and he's taken his development a little slower than some of the others around his draft class
21:23
But he's a really skilled defenseman. He's a good skater. He has, yeah, just like really good agility when it comes
21:33
to playing defense. He also made his rookie debut in the AHA
21:39
last season, not quite as offensively gifted. But, yeah, got that more defensive mind
21:46
and I think that could develop very well until like maybe a second pairing guy in the future
21:51
Yeah, I like Nolan Allen. I mean, when he was drafted, everyone was like, what
21:55
Why is he drafted in the first round? Are you supposed to be in the third or fourth or something like that
22:00
Yeah, maybe a bit of a reach. but, you know, he could end up being, and he had a really good season in the
22:07
HAL had pretty, I mean, offensively had five goals, which, I mean, probably not expected
22:12
for a guy that's mostly more leaning towards the defense. So, I mean, but you need those guys in the NHL to complement those offensive defensemen
22:23
And, you know, Lev Shunov being that good two-way guy, maybe he could pair with him down the road
22:29
And who knows? I mean, Nolan Allen could still end up. being a very good, maybe not
22:35
I just don't think he should have been a first round pick, maybe a second. I mean, but that first rounder is, whenever the first round pick
22:45
I'm like, I don't know if he's that high end for a first round
22:49
No, I think I agree with you on that, but I still like that he is a solid defenseman
22:56
And when you are picking with a late first round pick, what is he, 31st overall
23:00
Yeah, it was really late. Yeah. Yeah. You're taking a, it's basically a second round pick anyways
23:06
And so you make those big risk, those big swings on a guy that could be really good
23:12
or maybe he's just a depth guy. And I think that's, both of those are fine
23:18
Could they have someone better? Sure. But I don't think they're upset with what Allen has become
23:25
Yeah, especially that he's already in the HAL and he's doing well there
23:29
I mean, we'll see what he does once he's, gets to the
23:32
NFL level and I don't think he's made his, no, he hasn't
23:37
he hasn't made his NHL debut yet. So I mean, I mean
23:41
who knows this year, maybe? I mean, they have added a lot of defensemen
23:44
and free agency. So maybe they won't have as many young guys on the blue line
23:50
So he may get some call-ups. But we'll end up seeing what he can
23:55
what he looks like in the NHL. But, I mean, so far, so good. I mean
23:59
when you guys look good in the AHL, that's good sign that they could potentially be good down the road
24:05
And there's not a lot of guys that don't perform in the HAL that end up being good in the NHL
24:13
There are guys that do ridiculously good in the HAL. It aren't bad good in the NHL, but they still end up being NHL players
24:20
It's just not as high end as they show in the HAL. So Alan could still be a pretty good guy
24:28
All right, goal tending. We'll talk about the two guys. because, I mean, they're too high-end goaltenders
24:34
They got Drew Commesso and Adam Guyan. I'll let you pick which one you want to talk about, Dayton
24:40
Who do you want? I'll take Guyane because I wrote his draft profile back when he was picked
24:46
Yeah, I really like Guyane. Of course, he jumped under the scene in the World Juniors
24:51
when he had a really strong showing in 2023, putting up a 936A percentage in four games
24:58
Yeah, that's like Slovakia always gets these, kind of dark horse goalies that just jump out and steal the show
25:05
And Guyon was that. And he came back and did pretty well again, had more wins, just a slightly lower save percentage
25:14
His first season in the USHL after playing, actually, no, it was technically his second season
25:21
He had six games in his first here in 2023. But then last season, he played a full season, 43 games, diffed a little bit for an 890
25:31
save percentage. So, you know, a little bit more of a learning curve
25:36
development bump, if you want to call it that. But I still think he's got really high-end skill
25:45
He's very athletic. He can make those big game saves that you need
25:50
and just needs that time to develop that, I guess, intuition and getting ready for the pro level
25:57
He'll be at, oh, where is it here? University of Minnesota Duluth next season, which will be fantastic
26:04
I'm very excited to see how he does in the NCAA. Yeah, they picked him
26:10
He was the first goaltender off the board last draft. So, I mean, that was something that we didn't expect
26:17
And there were some other guys that were supposedly going to go before him
26:22
But he's showing that he was definitely worthy of being an early second round pick
26:28
and this way he shown for Slovakian both times he been three times that he bet the juniors Just twice Just twice Yeah I was right the first time Should always go with my first instinct
26:42
Um, yeah, two times. And both times he was really good for Slovakia
26:46
one of the better goaltenders at the world juniors. And yeah, end up being drafted high in the second round
26:52
It's pretty good. And he's shown why he was. Uh, Drew Comeso
26:57
a little further along in his development. He is in the, with the rock for
27:01
right ice hogs that he was he came from boston university last season and didn't play any games
27:08
in the hl but then played 38 this year 2.65 goals against average 906 save percentage decent
27:15
for the a hl in his first season i'm always interested to see goaltenders move from the ncd
27:20
to the hl because the workloads a lot different um i mean he did play around the same so they
27:27
kind of kept it within that same range he played 34 games for Boston University last season, 38 and the AHL
27:35
So the workload didn't change. I'm always interested if maybe next, probably next season
27:40
he'll see a little more of the net. But, you know, he's on the right track for a goaltender that is probably still
27:48
their top goaltending prospect and could end up being a backup maybe this season
27:55
probably not, because they did sign some guys to kind of go there
27:59
and of course they still have a veteran in net. They haven't moved on from Marazek yet
28:07
So it looks like they want to keep the succession going. I don't want to throw a rookie goaltender into the fire to start
28:16
especially on a rebuilding team that defensively isn't the best yet. This season may be a little different with the additions they've made
28:24
but I think Camaso still has ended up working through his development
28:28
development. Pretty good. Pretty good H.L. First season and probably get a bulk of the starts next
28:35
season or this coming season. So I think his development's on the right track. All right
28:43
To end here, we've got to just pick an underrated prospect in their pool. I mean
28:48
probably mentioned maybe then already, but who is your most underrated? Yeah, I'll throw in a name that we haven't talked about yet. I really like Colton Dock. He's
28:58
sort of jumped up as a guy who can kind of do anything decently well
29:05
When he was picked in the second round, I thought that's a big reach. He is not an offensive guy
29:11
He was benefiting from the teammates around him. But then he made his World Junior appearance
29:18
And it's like, oh, this guy actually looks really solid. So he's just become this really adaptable, really well-rounded player
29:26
He's six foot four, almost 200 pounds. and of course, younger brother of Kirby Doc
29:31
I think he's never going to reach those offensive heights that Kirby's going to hopefully hit with the Canadians
29:39
But, yeah, Colton Dock has just a really solid all-around ability. He had 27 points in 48 games in his rookie season in the HL
29:49
and could be in the NHL sooner than I think any of us expect
29:54
because he's just got, like I said, that really well-rounded ability and fills a lot of holes that a lot of NHL teams need
30:05
I'll just say mine because I already went through him. But AJ Spilassie, he's my underrated guy
30:12
I think a lot of people are underrating him in the draft
30:16
And it looks like the Black House didn't because they drafted him in the third round
30:20
But I think he's going to end up being a really good bottom six player that you're just going to want on your team
30:27
in the playoffs. And he's already shown that he could be somewhat of a
30:32
of that type of a player in the OHL. So we'll see when he does move to the AHL and moving forward
30:38
But I'm really excited to watch him, his development. And I think he's going to be underrated by a lot of people
30:46
And we'll see, we'll see if he can pan out as that high energy
30:50
big physical forward in the bottom six that I like watching in the NFL
30:55
He's not undersized. He's not one of my undersized guys, but again, motor and high energy, and I like those players
31:05
All right, strengths quickly. What do you think the Blackhawks, what are their biggest strength as a prospect pool
31:11
I mean, overall, I think they're pretty balanced. I'm not, but what is their biggest strength overall here
31:18
I think high-end forwards, guys who can put the puck in the net with ease. Lots of guys who just have really, really high-end scoring abilities
31:25
like you just scroll through their depth chart. It's like, oh, half these guys are snipers
31:30
Yeah. They're just really, really skilled at putting the puck in the net. And so that's not going to be an issue for the foreseeable future
31:38
That's for sure. No, I agree. They're high-end forwards. And they have a high-end guy in every position if you want to look at it
31:46
I mean, defense, of course, Lab Shunov. I have forward. They've got Nazar Moore, Boy, there
31:53
I mean, go down the list. and then goaltending, they have a couple high-end guys there too
31:59
So it's really you can't find a place where they don't have high-end skill
32:04
And that's going to really benefit them down the road. And to compliment the guys they already have in the NHL very young, too
32:12
So yeah, I agree with that. Weaknesses maybe it would be a little bit harder to pick one because they are pretty balanced
32:19
But what do you think is their biggest weakness? I would say maybe defensive depth
32:27
Like they just added Lev Shunov. They have Kortinski. They've got a couple of other guys
32:31
We mentioned Nolan Allen, Sam Renzel. They've got Alex Velasik in the NHL
32:37
Really good guys. Beyond that, I'm not convinced that they have anybody who's like a top four guy
32:43
They have a lot of maybes, but I'm not sure about it
32:48
So I think if they wanted to address any of, issues, that would be the area
32:54
I don't think it's a big issue. Like, we already talked about several guys who are just, like, really good
32:59
But, yeah, that's, I think that's the one area that they could maybe boost up a little bit
33:06
Yeah, I mean, Lev Shunov is going to be a top pairing defenseman in his prime and they've got
33:13
something set there. But yeah, I agree. I think they don't have as many for sure things for talking
33:21
for top four. I mean, you know, Ethan Del Mastro could potentially be a top four
33:26
You got, you know, Sam Renzel, of course, could be a top four. But they're not 100%
33:31
yes, for sure they're going to be. So, yeah, I agree. I think they can maybe add a bit more there
33:37
It's not a high thing where it's like, yeah, be sure, we have to do that, but they could do it
33:43
And just continue boosting their defense of depth. And they did that with free agency, obviously
33:50
but that's not prospects. We'll see. We'll see where they are down next year
33:57
and what they do in the draft, where they are in the draft. It could potentially be different
34:02
if they do improve as much as everyone's kind of thinking they will
34:06
with their additions in free agency. But yeah, I think the Blackhawks have a solid prospect pool
34:14
and probably one of the, probably in the top five at this point
34:17
When the next farm rankings come out, they'd probably be in the top five. What do you think
34:22
Where do you place them right now? Definitely in the conversation of top five
34:27
There's a lot of really strong prospect pools. But, yeah, like three first round picks in this year and I don't think they missed on any of them
34:35
That's a really good pool. Yeah, I see top five. We'll see where Logan puts them
34:44
All right. Well, there's another episode, Prospect Corner. Thanks, Dayton, for joining me here
34:50
and we'll hopefully get Peter back on the show and make it a trio again next week
34:54
and go over his way too early 2025 rankings, which is already put out
35:00
And yeah, we're already starting to think about the 2025 draft. A link of Gretzky's around the corner as well
35:05
August, beginning of August, that's going. And it's right here. Well, not here
35:11
But in Canada, closer, we can actually watch it at reasonable times
35:16
And that's going to be good. but we'll see what happens there
35:21
And until our next episode, we'll see you on another episode of Prospect Corner
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