en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Chicago Blackhawks News https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/news With the 2026 NHL Draft Combine this week in Buffalo, it’s worth looking at how the experts have ranked prospects before the official heights and weights come in. Over the course of the past 11 months, I’ve been tracking 2026 NHL Draft prospect rankings from the most consistent and trusted analysts, scouts and experts. The last time I published our own was on Feb. 11 — I’ll have an updated list before the draft begins later this month. The following chart is the consensus top 32 2026 NHL Draft prospects based on their average rankings since the first of March. There are 12 sets of individual rankings considered for this. I have the author and the date of the rankings indicated for the high and low rankings along the way. Rank Player Pos Avg High Highest Source Low Lowest Source 1 LW 1.5 1 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 4 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 2 LW 2.2 1 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 5 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 3 RHD 3.2 1 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 6 Sportsnet (Bukala, May 15) 4 LHD 5.3 3 ESPN (May 4) 7 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 5 RHD 5.8 3 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 11 Elite Prospects (April 21) 6 C 6.0 3 Sportsnet (Bukala, May 15) 10 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 7 LHD 7.8 2 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 18 ESPN (May 4) 8 RHD 8.4 5 ESPN (May 4) 11 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 9 C 8.6 4 TSN (Button, May 20) 15 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 10 LW 11.5 7 Elite Prospects (April 21) 14 Sportsnet (Bukala, May 15) 11 C 12.5 9 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 21 TSN (Button, May 20) 12 RHD 15.2 6 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 22 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 13 LW 16.1 11 McKeen’s Hockey (April 19) 26 ESPN (May 4) 14 LW 16.7 10 ESPN (May 4) 27 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 15 LHD 17.1 9 McKeen’s Hockey (April 19) 30 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 16 RW 18.7 10 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 34 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 17 C 19.5 12 ESPN (May 4) 27 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 18 LW 20.2 6 ESPN (May 4) 44 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 19 C 21.5 9 Sportsnet (Bukala, May 15) 31 Elite Prospects (April 21) 20 RW 22.2 14 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 49 TSN (Button, May 20) 21 RW 22.5 10 TSN (Button, May 20) 35 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 22 C 23.5 16 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 33 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 23 LW 23.9 17 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 43 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 24 LHD 24.5 6 Elite Prospects (April 21) 39 TSN (Button, May 20) 25 C 26.3 13 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 36 The Athletic (Wheeler, May 4) 26 RW 29.4 11 ESPN (May 4) 46 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 27 RHD 29.4 19 TSN (Button, May 20) 44 Elite Prospects (April 21) 28 C 30.8 19 The Athletic (Pronman, May 13) 39 Daily Faceoff (Ellis, April 14) 29 LW 31.6 10 Sportsnet (Bukala, March 17) 61 TSN (Button, May 20) 30 LHD 32.2 22 The Athletic (Wheeler, March 17) 55 Elite Prospects (April 21) 31 RHD 33.3 17 The Athletic (Pronman, March 10) 50 TSN (Button, May 20) 32 RHD 33.5 24 ESPN (May 4) 48 Elite Prospects (April 21) The 2026 NHL Draft (June 26-27) NHL Draft Ranking Takeaways The reason I wanted to include the dates of the rankings in this is because you can start to see how much helium some prospects — like and — have had in more recent weeks. In March, both were fringe first-round prospects. Now, both are considered potential top-ten picks. I think this chart does a nice job of showing us a few things, the biggest of which is the lack of consistency in how scouts and analysts view this year’s draft class. Among the players in the top 32 overall in the consensus rankings here, 21 have, at some point since March 1, received a top-ten overall rankings. You will also note that some of the players have received rankings that would indicate a first-round grade and all the way down to a grade late in the second round. ‘s high (10) and low (61) is the biggest variance on the list; he’s certainly one of the biggest wild cards in this year’s class. Also Read Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:46:11 GMT Tab Bamford https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827660 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827660 false false While it isn’t specifically Blackhawks news, it feels like this could have a significant impact on some of the Blackhawks’ plans for the summer. Late Monday night, sneaking it in before the start of the Stanley Cup Final, the Vancouver Canucks they have named Manny Malhotra as their new head coach. This doesn’t come as a shock; the Canucks have been rumored to be close to this decision for some time now. But hiring the father of one of the top forward prospects in the draft is always a delicate dance when you own the No. 3 pick. One has to think the Canucks will have some looooong conversations about what to do if Manny’s son, Caleb, and Ivar Stenberg are both available when they’re on the clock. If that does end up being the case, that’s a great scenario for the Blackhawks at No. 4. And the Canucks hiring Manny is why so many mock drafts — including from the weekend — have going to Vancouver to play for his father. WELCOME COACH MANNY! General Manager Ryan Johnson announced today that the have hired Manny Malhotra as the 23rd Head Coach in franchise history. DETAILS | — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) As the Blackhawks look to the trade market to add a significant piece this summer, it would be ideal to find a team that needs to move a player who fits what the Hawks want to accomplish but is available because they cost “too much” for the current employer — too much for their current location, but not enough that it hinders the Blackhawks’ ability to retain their internal players or go to market to add more skill. With that in mind… Let’s go ahead and throw a new name on the list of guys I really wouldn’t mind the Blackhawks targeting this summer as a trade option: New York Islanders forward . Bruce Garrioch of the wrote the following on Monday: A league executive told The Citizen that the New York Islanders are exploring the market for forward Mathew Barzal. The club would like to clear some cap space, but it’s a big financial commitment with four years left at $9.15 million through 2030-31. Um, yes please! Not only has he worked out with Connor Bedard in recent summers, but Barzal can fly and he’s a strong possession player (career 58.4 Corsi For percentage). Yesterday was a newsworthy deadline for the Blackhawks, who moved a player before his rights expired. , however. One somewhat interesting name is , who played with Colton Dach in Kelowna during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. He’s a big player (6-3, 209) who has one game of AHL experience on his resume. He was a fifth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in 2024, but his rights were traded to Pittsburgh before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. I wouldn’t necessarily use a draft pick on Graham, but as an AHL free agent in Rockford I would have some interest. Seven players to re-enter 2026 NHL Draft after having rights expire — Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) Scott Wheeler published a on Monday in which he wrote about Jack Pridham’s situation (before the ). Here’s what Wheeler wrote about Pridham: [The] sense I get is that he wanted an opportunity that the Blackhawks weren’t willing to promise him, and so the 2024 third-rounder will now try to find that somewhere else. He didn’t have a great finish to the OHL playoffs and saw his minutes reduced at times, but played well this week in Kelowna and scored his tournament-best fifth goal in the final. His skating and shot are his biggest assets. Multiple reports on Monday indicate Pridham is headed to the University of Denver this fall. The Stanley Cup Final begins tonight (7 PM CT on ABC). Who ya got? The Final begins tonight! Who ya got, fans?— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) Emily Kaplan at ESPN Melinda French Gates is joining the Seattle Kraken as a minority investor, pending NHL approval. News: Melinda French Gates is joining the Seattle Kraken as a minority investor. The move pairs one of the world's most influential philanthropists & business leaders with Samantha Holloway one of the few women to serve as an NHL principal owner. — Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) The Florida Panthers they have signed big defenseman to a three-year, entry-level contract. The New Jersey Devils they have signed massive defenseman to a three-year, entry-level contract. Finally, the Canadiens met with the media to end their season on Monday morning. Brendan Gallagher was emotional talking about what appears to be the end of his time in Montreal. An emotional Brendan Gallagher confirms that he will be moving on from the Habs — /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) BLEACHER NATION: | Subscribe to the Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:46:07 GMT Tab Bamford https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827659 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827659 false false It has seemed for weeks like the Nashville Predators were dragging their heels in their search for a new head of hockey operations in the wake of Barry Trotz announcing his pending retirement. Now, it appears they were just waiting for the chance to interview one guy. On Tuesday, just hours before the start of the Stanley Cup Final, the Predators Chris MacFarland, who was the general manager of the Presidents Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, is taking the role of President of Hockey Operations and General Manager in Nashville. Welcome to Smashville, Chris! We're proud to announce that Chris MacFarland has been hired as our President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Full details » — Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) In Denver, the Avs their President of hockey ops, Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Sakic, “will resume the General Manager duties for the foreseeable future, including through this month’s draft and the start of the league year.” This is a huge move for Nashville, who own 14 picks in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, beginning with the No. 10 overall selection. Also Read Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:46:02 GMT Tab Bamford https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827658 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56827658 false false The Chicago Blackhawks should be open to trading any of their draft picks, and should the Toronto Maple Leafs consider trading Matthew Knies? Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:35:42 GMT Mark Easson https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56826438 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56826438 false false Long-time captain for the Minnesota Wild, Mikko Koivu, is returning to the Central Division — just not with Minnesota. According to a team announcement, the St. Louis Blues have hired Koivu to serve as a European development consultant. The Blues’ press release indicated that Koviu will assist with development plans for European prospects drafted by […] Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:05:11 GMT Brennan McClain https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56826073 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56826073 false false The Chicago Blackhawks have the chance to further add to what they hope will be a young core that will eventually develop into a consistent Stanley Cup champion Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:37:52 GMT Scott Rogust https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825730 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825730 false false Instead of having multiple threads over the next few weeks, let’s keep all of the Cup final discussion localized to this spot. The full schedule is below and head down to the comments to get your picks in! All times below are Central Time Tuesday, June 2 Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, ABC, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4 Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, ABC, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6 Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights, ABC, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights, ABC, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11 Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, ABC, 7 p.m. Sunday, June 14 Game 6: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights, ABC, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 Game 7: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, ABC, 7 p.m. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:04:50 GMT Dave Melton https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825320 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825320 false false The Chicago Blackhawks have traded the rights to Jack Pridham to the Lightning. This isn’t the first time Chicago has moved a player’s rights—should fans be ... Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:59:47 GMT Locked On Blackhawks https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825262 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825262 false false ► Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/HMA► Hello guy... Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:51:28 GMT Graviteh https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825149 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56825149 false false The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline included several rumors that involved Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. As soon as the deadline came and went, his name was suddenly everywhere. Apparently,… Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:24:42 GMT Jim Parsons https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56824796 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56824796 false false NHL analyst Steve Peters joins for a full breakdown of the Stanley Cup Final. Can Vegas keep the upsets coming, or is Carolina too strong? Which former Black... Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:25:35 GMT CHGO Sports https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56823318 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56823318 false false The former Chicago Blackhawks forward has been a force in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:04:52 GMT Greg Boysen https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56822292 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56822292 false false Welcome to June, Blackhawks fans. The month started off with a bang on Monday, as GM Kyle Davidson made his […] The post appeared first on . Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:10:30 GMT Jack Bushman https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56821539 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56821539 false false A little news, a little look back and a little look ahead! Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:17:11 GMT Dave Melton https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56820854 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/articles/56820854 false false