Blackhawks Daily: Summer Power Rankings; Delightful Del Mastro

The Chicago Blackhawks improved the roster through free agency and are positioned to see a sizable increase in wins and points. Will it be enough to help division standing? That seems to be the more pressing question. 

Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal has the Blackhawks still at the bottom of the summer division rankings. Tough, but fair. After all, the rest of the division certainly made moves starting with the Predators who sure as heck look all in. About the Hawks, Rawal noted they’re deep in the rebuild and are still not really close to a playoff spot. Which of course, is spot on.

The hard part of what the Blackhawks now face has been written about has been chronicled here often. Aside from bulking the roster up with some more talent, Chicago has to play in the tougher of the Western Conference divisions while also a competitive conference that saw the eighth seed get into the playoffs with 98 points.

That’s a 45 point increase for those keeping score at home. It’s a tough ask–and measuring the incremental growth will now be the focus of the rebuild going forward. So how better to cushion that blow of reality? Prospect rankings!

Chicago Hockey Now has been revealing its prospect rankings all week. We’re now at #3 after going in reverse order and will include honorable mentions at the end of the ten. Today’s feature had Ethan Del Mastro, who could be one of Chicago’s best draft steals if he hits the potential he seems to have.

Chicago Blackhawks

Kicking off CHN’s ranking of Chicago Blackhawks prospects, a look at prospects #7-10 led by Nick Lardis.

Oliver Moore leads prospects #4-6 in the Chicago Blackhawks pipeline.

Ethan Del Mastro is the #3 prospect in the Chicago Blackhawks system.

What do the recently graduated Chicago Blackhawks prospects look like now?

National Hockey Now

Washington Hockey Now: The Washington Capitals owe a lot to Evgeny Kuznetsov.

San Jose Hockey Now: San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty learned a lot by being left off the WJC team.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens have given Arber Xhekaj