The Chicago Blackhawks have done very well for themselves by drafting plenty of talent that is spread out across many leagues this season. But one name to make note of is Roman Kantserov, whom the Blackhawks drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft.
Frank Seravalli said that it's possible we see Kantserov in Chicago as soon as his KHL season ends. What is he doing in the KHL? Only on pace to have the best rookie season in KHL history, even better than someone like Kirill Kaprizov.
Kantserov is just 21 years old and has 19 goals and 33 points in 30 games this season for Magnitogorsk Metallurg. As a comparison, Kaprizov had 51 points in 57 games, while Kantserov is on pace for 63 points in 57 games.
It's always important for teams to draft steals later in the draft. Even though the second round isn't too late, the first round is where the most stars and the top players typically come from. The Blackhawks have some good talent on their team right now, but some of them are on the older side and aren't going to be long-term options in Chicago. Young players are going to have to continue stepping in and doing what Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Spencer Knight, Artyom Levshunov, and more have done.
Kantserov could be the long-term answer to who Bedard's wing is going to be. There are, of course, other strong options in the NHL and in the system for Chicago, but from what Kantserov is doing in the KHL, he is comparable to the skill level of players like Karpizov and Artemi Panarin, true game-changers.
The Blackhawks are going to be a very dangerous team and they have already taken a nice step this season. If we see Kantserov in the NHL this season, watch out for the Blackhawks to get back into the playoffs and be contenders very soon.
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