Prospects Season Previews: A Fresh Start for Paul Ludwinski

A sprained ankle be damned, Paul Ludwinski has been on the mend and is another speedy forward in a deep pool of centers.

So how should 2023-24 look if he’s back to full strength?

Ludwinski Set To Get Back on Track

The ankle injury shut his season down after he appeared further ahead of his 2021-22 pace. But seeing the lower numbers are taken into context playing 20 less games than when he rang up 16 goals and 43 points. Averaged out, Ludwinski beats his point total with those 20 games but falls a bit short in goals.

Speculation only fancies what could be but betting against Ludwinski, who said the injury forced him to think differently.

“I’ve been working on the physical side of my game getting stronger upper body wise,” Ludwinski said.  “So I feel like when I’ll hit the ice again I’ll be right back to normal and trying to push to be a better player and a better teammate.”

It’s what the Blackhawks and their fans can hope to hear and see when he is back on the ice full time.

Projections for Paul Ludwinski

Without much to compare it to, there’s a bit of a mystery as to what the season should like. All there is by comparison are the numbers he put up in 2021-22. The more eye popping part were his postseason numbers 12 points in 11 games (7-5). Take the numbers however one wishes, only an ankle injury could slow the momentum.

The 19-year-old inked his entry-level deal and knows that it’s simply to get back onto track without the pressure of a will-they or won’t-they offer him a deal.

The Measured Prediction

Ludwinski beats his numbers from last season, upping his point totals into the 60’s.

Shoot the Moon Prediction 

Ludwinski buries 25 goals and builds on it with some postseason success that turns heads.

Say it Ain’t So Prediction

The injury bug bites again, keeping Ludwinski out of the lineup and off the scoresheet, not hitting his full potential for a second consecutive season.

Final Thoughts

Of the prospect pieces so far, Ludwinski’s is on the shorter side only because the sample size last year wasn’t as expansive as the others listed. The potential is sky high for him and a healthy season will provide him the latitude to put him on the trajectory to Chicago.

Previous Prospect Season Preview Pieces: Kevin Korchinski | Lukas Reichel | Gavin Hayes