Top 25 Chicago Blackhawks Prospects: Honorable Mentions
The three prospects just missing the cut are Jalen Luypen, Jaxson Stauber, and Ryder Rolston
The Chicago Blackhawks prospect pipeline has gotten significantly stronger over the past two years, due to the addition of young premier talent (i.e. Connor Bedard). Because of all the additions some promising prospects just missed my top 25 but made my honorable mentions. If you missed it, here are all the criteria and eligible prospects for my list.
Jalen Luypen
Position: C/LW
Age: 21
Acquired: 2021 NHL Draft (seventh-round, pick #216)
Expected 2023/24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
2022/23 Stats: 39 points (18G, 21A), 36 PIMs, 105 SOG, 17.14 SH%, and 16.15 eTOI/GP in 38 WHL GP
Contract Status: Two years, $859,167 (ELC)
This marks the second straight year that Jalen Luypen has been an honorable mention on this list. At this point, it’s more indicative of the talent that the Blackhawks have added than on Luypen himself.
During this past season he scored 18 goals and added 21 helpers in 38 WHL games. He was also a point-per-game player in the WHL playoffs, before joining the Rockford IceHogs on their playoff run. He played in three AHL playoff games, and did quite well, which is rare for a player his age.
Most of what I wrote about Jalen Luypen last year is still true today. While his stats don’t jump off the page, he is a very intriguing prospect. The first thing you notice about him is his speed. He’s just so quick and can turn on the jets in a split-second. The 21-year-old is also very tenacious and forces lots of turnovers. It’s that type of play that endeared the Blackhawks to him. In fact, he’s drawn a lot of comparisons to a former Blackhawk in Brandon Hagel. Personally, I believe those expectations to be too lofty for the seventh-round pick.
There are a few question marks with Luypen. The first concern is his size as he’s only 5’10” and 154-pounds. He needs to add muscle because he gets knocked off the puck way too often/easily, and it will be a problem for him at the pro level. He’s also prone to injuries because of his diminutive size. Finally, it remains to be seen how high his offensive ceiling is.
Jalen Luypen will need to continue to add size, but his combination of speed and work ethic give him a chance at becoming an NHLer. The Blackhawks like him a lot so that helps his chances as well. This upcoming season will be important for him.
A realistic projection for Luypen is a fourth-line energy winger who can give you ~15 points a season. If all goes well, he could be in the NHL by 2024/25, but 2025/26 is far more likely.
Jaxson Stauber
Position: G
Age: 24
Acquired: Undrafted Free Agent signed in 2022
Expected 2023/24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
2022/23 Stats: 6-8-0 Record, 0.894 Save Percentage and a 3.32 Goals Against Average in 17 AHL GP / 5-1-0 Record, 0.911 Save Percentage and a 2.81 Goals Against Average in Six NHL GP
Contract Status: One year, $883,750 (ELC)
Jaxson Stauber had a very fascinating 2022/23 season to say the very least. He started the season as the Rockford IceHogs backup/third string goaltender, but due to injuries he was forced to play NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks. Normally, you would think a young goaltender would perform well in the AHL but struggle when forced into the NHL, right? Nope, not even close in Stauber’s case.
The 24-year-old goaltender put up an astounding NHL stat line of; five wins, a 0.911 Save% and a 2.81 GAA in six games. He was fantastic at the NHL level and was even “ruining the tank” for the Blackhawks. However, in the AHL it was a different story. He was inconsistent, struggled, and put up an 0.894 Save% and a 3.32 GAA.
I’m not going to act like I know anything about goalies. I rely on what the stats say and what scouts think when it comes to goaltenders. So, here’s what some of them have to say:
“Jaxson Stauber opened a lot of eyes to what he is capable of. He’s a goaltender who plays an assertive, but not overly aggressive style. He was not overwhelmed by the speed of the play, thanks in part to his sharp reads off the rush. He's very good at making micro-adjustments with his feet, even while the play is coming down on him with speed. Stauber also continually makes saves with his hands simply due to solid positioning. This is a fantastic trait to have.”
“There’s room for growth, but it’s still early in his development path. I know he’s 23 years old, but it’s a steep curve for goalies, and he made some strides this year. I think showing that day in and day out is what we’ll be looking for next year.”
It’s expected that Stauber will share the net with fellow Blackhawks prospect, Drew Commesso, down in Rockford this year. This upcoming season will indicate what type of player he is. Will he be the goaltender he was with the Hawks, the IceHogs, or somewhere in the middle? If I had to bet, it’s somewhere in the middle.
Jaxson Stauber projects as a third goalie, potentially a backup, at the NHL level. At the very least he’s a quality depth option for the Hawks. Realistically, Stauber could see NHL action very soon in 2023/24 if injuries arise. However, one more season in the AHL would be ideal for his development.
Ryder Rolston
Position: RW/C
Age: 21
Acquired: Trade (2021 Trade Deadline)
Expected 2023/24 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
2022/23 Stats: 20 points (7G, 13A), Four PIMs, 94 SOG, and a 7.45 SH% in 27 NCAA GP
Contract Status: Three years, $895k (ELC)
The final honorable mention is forward prospect, Ryder Rolston. Rolston had a good, not great, junior year in college. He was the most efficient player for Notre Dame, racking up seven goals and 13 assists in 27 games. Unfortunately, his college season was cut short due to injury. He also joined the IceHogs for their playoff run but didn’t get in any games.
The first thing that catches your eye when you watch Rolston is his blazing speed. He just flies on the ice and it’s almost impossible to keep up with him. He might be the fastest skater in the Hawks’ system besides Oliver Moore. The 21-year-old also possesses a hard and accurate shot. On top of that, he works hard and wreaks havoc on the forecheck. The Hawks project him as a Sam Lafferty-type with more offensive upside.
I do have a few qualms with Rolston’s game. Firstly, I’m not sure how high his offensive ceiling is. He does have some intriguing offensive tools, but nothing high end. His overall hockey sense is a big question mark as well. There are times where he just doesn’t see the ice well and forces bad shots.
Ryder Rolston has a real shot at being an NHLer, and it’ll be interesting to see how his game plays at the pro level. Personally, I think it’ll translate smoothly due to his speed. But he needs to really buy into that Sam Lafferty style if he wants to make it.
To me Rolston has a remarkably similar projection to Jalen Luypen. His speed and tenacity make him a prime candidate to be a fourth-line energy winger of the future. I could see him in the NHL in 2024/25 if everything goes well.
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