Top 25 Chicago Blackhawks Prospects: Honorable Mentions
Just missing the cut were forwards Michal Teplý, Jalen Luypen and defenseman Louis Crevier
A few Chicago Blackhawks prospects just barely missed the cut to be included on my Top 25 Blackhawks Prospects list. It was very close, so I decided to choose three honorable mentions. If you missed it, here are all the criteria and eligible prospects for my list.
Michal Teplý
Position: LW/RW
Age: 21
Acquired: 2019 NHL Draft (fourth round, pick #105)
Expected 2022/23 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
2021/22 Stats: 31 points (13G, 18A), Six PIMs, 103 SOG, 12.6 SH%, and 15.15 eTOI/GP in 60 AHL GP
Contract Status: Two years, $820k (entry-level contract)
It was a tale of two seasons for Michal Teplý. The first 18 games of the 2021/22 AHL season saw Teplý only produce one secondary assist and a -4 rating. The last 42 games saw him explode offensively with 30 points (13G, 17A) and he was a constant fixture in the IceHogs’ top-six. Lukas Reichel, Andrei Altybarmakyan, and Teplý formed a deadly trio to end the season.
The 21-year-old has an intriguing set of tools in his tool box. He has a bigger frame at 6’3”, he’s both a good shooter and passer, and he competes hard. Not to mention he produced pretty well in the AHL this year at only 21-years-old.
I do have questions regarding his skating and consistency. Teplý is not a bad skater, but his top speed isn’t great and it takes him a bit to reach said top speed. The big question with him is his consistency. Even if you didn’t watch him and just looked at his numbers, from the first 18 games to the last 42, you’d be able to tell that he struggles to consistently produce/perform.
If Teplý can become more consistent (both in production and play) I feel like he could be a nice bottom-six offensive threat for the Blackhawks. He’ll likely spend the 2022/23 season with the Rockford IceHogs.
NHL ETA & Potential: Maybe 2022/23 but likely 2023/24, 3rd line power forward
Jalen Luypen
Position: C/LW
Age: 20
Acquired: 2021 NHL Draft (seventh round, pick #216)
Expected 2022/23 Team: Rockford IceHogs / Edmonton Oil Kings (AHL / WHL)
2021/22 Stats: 64 points (29G, 35A), 78 PIMs, 200 SOG, 14.5 SH%, and 14.77 eTOI/GP in 66 WHL GP
Contract Status: Three years, $859,167 (ELC)
When I think about underrated Blackhawks prospects, Jalen Luypen is the first name to come to mind. Heck I might be underrating him right now as only an honorable mention. He had a great year for the WHL Championship winning Edmonton Oil Kings, where he posted 29 goals and 35 assists in 66 games. Not to mention he did so as primarily a third-liner.
The former seventh-round pick has done nothing but impress since being drafted by the Blackhawks. He plays with a ton of energy, pace and has an outstanding work ethic. He fits what the Blackhawks want to build their next great team around. The 20-year-old is also a dual-threat offensively, but his shot especially stands out. Luypen played in all situations (5v5, power play & penalty kill) this past season for the Oil Kings, so he has a lot of versatility as well.
There are definitely some concerns with Luypen. The first one is definitely his diminutive size as he’s only 5’10” and 154-pounds. He’ll have to bulk up if he wants to make the NHL. Some other concerns with Luypen include his discipline (0.86 PIMs/G) and his lack of high end offensive skill.
If Luypen can put on some more weight while continuing to improve on his already impressive skills I believe that the Blackhawks could have a swiss-army knife on their hands. The 20-year-old will either spend the 2022/23 season with the Rockford IceHogs or will head back to Edmonton to play with the Oil Kings.
NHL ETA & Potential: 2024/25, Bottom-six forward with potential to play in the top-six in a pinch
Louis Crevier
Position: RHD
Age: 21
Acquired: 2020 NHL Draft (seventh round, pick #188)
Expected 2022/23 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
2021/22 Stats: 36 points (10G, 26A), 18 PIMs, 153 SOG, 6.54 SH%, and 23.11 eTOI/GP in 62 QMJHL GP
Contract Status: Two years, $850,833 (ELC)
The past few drafts the Chicago Blackhawks have prioritized big and tall defensemen. If there was ever a poster boy for big and tall defensemen it would be Louis Crevier. The former seventh-round pick stands at 6’8” (without skates) and weighs in at 214 pounds. He put up 36 points (10G, 26A) in 62 games this past season with the Québec Remparts.
Much like Luypen, Crevier has done nothing but exceed expectations as a former seventh-round pick. Because of his height the 21-year-old has great reach and it allows for him to neutralize plays with his stick. He’s also very mobile for his size, has a hard/heavy slap shot, and is great in the defensive zone.
The main things Crevier has to work on are consistently using his size to his advantage and his passing ability. The other thing to note is that he’ll never put up gaudy offensive numbers or show a tremendous amount of offensive skill.
Crevier will need to continue to learn how to consistently use his size and improve upon his transition ability. But he has a nice foundation of skills/tools including his size, slap shot and reach that make him an intriguing prospect. Crevier will likely spend the 2022/23 season with the Rockford IceHogs.
NHL ETA & Potential: 2024/25, Third-pairing shut-down defenseman with PK1 upside
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