The Chicago Blackhawks have a very good farm system with prospects playing all over the place. In the AHL, CHL, college hockey, USHL, and overseas. Here, we're going to dive into three recent draft picks over the last three years that are impressing overseas and shouldn't be far off from coming over to North America.
First up is the third overall pick from last season, Anton Frondell. This solid center, who will be in the top-9 for the Blackhawks next season, whether that be at center or the wing. He is very talented and has put up strong numbers for an 18-year-old in all three places he's played this season.
Frondell has played the most in the SHL, getting into 34 games, scoring 15 goals and 22 points. Impressive for someone his age to be doing that in one of the top leagues in the world. He also scored 10 goals and 13 points in 11 games for Sweden under-20 at the International-Jr and five goals and eight points in seven games at the World Juniors. He might take less time to adjust to pro hockey, unlike Frank Nazar, because Frondell has been playing against men already.
Next, and arguably more anticipated than Frondell, is Roman Kantserov. He has decimated the KHL this season, was good last season, and has put up points everywhere he's played. The 21-year-old is very much NHL ready as he is fifth in league scoring with 3-4 fewer games played.
Kantserov could instantly come into the top-6 for the Blackhawks and provide a good deal of scoring as he has 29 goals in 49 games. Maybe a future Connor Bedard winger. Chicago is trying to get him over to the NHL by the end of the season, and it's more reason to sell their pending UFAs.
Lastly, Ilya Kanarsky, a goaltender in the VHL, is having an excellent season despite being on a very poor team. The 21-year-old seventh-round pick from last year is 7-14-8, but has a 2.54 GAA and .925 SV%. His team gets majorly outplayed and he stands in there. Even at 21 years old, he will have a number of years ahead of him before coming over to North America. He has to prove himself in the KHL first, but he's showing that he's not far off from getting his chance.
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