There are basically two categories when it comes to a team’s prospects — those who are many years away from the NHL and the those who are nearly ready.
The Blackhawks have brought almost all of their top prospects closer to the NHL by signing them to entry-level deals in the past few years, a list that includes Nick Schmaltz, Gustav Forsling, Tyler Motte and Vinnie Hinostroza.
Schmaltz and Forsling are probably the Blackhawks’ top two prospects at this point. Ville Pokka, Ryan Hartman, Mark McNeill, Motte and Hinostroza would be ranked after them. All those players have been signed and are close to the NHL now.