The Chicago Blackhawks already have a strong young core group of players contributing in the NHL, but plenty more are on the way. Not all of the top draft picks or talented players will turn out or stay with the Blackhawks. There are just too many good options at this point and veterans need to also be mixed in places.
But we aren't going to count out any player yet. One prospect that has caught the eye of people paying attention to junior is Marek Vanacker, the Blackhawks' 27th overall pick from 2024, is leading the OHL in goals with 17.
Vanacker has 17 goals and 24 points in 17 games and the 19-year-old is set to turn pro next season. Like how Nick Lardis dominated in junior last season before taking the step to the AHL in 2025-26, Vanacker appears to be on the same path. He might put up a fight in training camp, but it makes more sense for him to get acclimated to the faster game against men in the AHL first and not be rushed to the NHL. There are plenty of top prospects the Blackhawks can get in games first before rushing one or many first rounders to the top league.
Vanacker's 17-year-old season that got him drafted saw him put up 36 goals and 82 points in 68 games. It was a bit of a weird year for him last season, playing just 42 games and scoring 24 goals and 42 points. But he's back to the player that the Blackhawks drafted and is developing nicely. The more pieces like this that Chicago has, the better off they will be.
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