The Chicago Blackhawks are starting to see the shape of their future forward corps, and it's looking like a group that could turn heads for years to come. Connor Bedard is the clear-cut centerpiece - the franchise face and top-line center who’s already showing the kind of poise and production you build around.
Frank Nazar, recently locked up with a long-term deal, is tracking to be the second-line pivot for the next decade. Then there’s Oliver Moore and Nick Lardis, both flashing top-six upside this season, and possibly settling into top-nine roles at worst.
Add in Colton Dach and Ryan Greene, who could anchor a solid third line, and suddenly Chicago’s forward depth chart looks as deep as it’s been in years.
And that’s without even factoring in 2025’s third-overall pick Anton Frondell or KHL standout Roman Kantserov - both expected to push for top-six roles as early as next season.
But while the offensive pipeline is brimming with promise, the blue line presents a more complicated picture. There’s no shortage of talent - the Blackhawks have stocked the shelves with intriguing defensive prospects - but what they lack is clarity. More specifically, they don’t yet have a clear heir to the Duncan Keith throne: a true No. 1 defenseman who can anchor the back end and drive play at both ends of the ice.
Let’s break down the top candidates vying to become that guy in Chicago.
Alex Vlasic: Steady as They Come
At 24, Alex Vlasic is already one of the more experienced names on this young roster. The Wilmette native has been a rock on the Blackhawks’ blue line for three seasons, and the team showed its faith in him with a six-year extension in 2024. He’s a shutdown machine, averaging over 21 minutes a night and consistently drawing the toughest matchups.
But here’s the catch: while Vlasic is elite defensively, he doesn’t bring much pop offensively. And in today’s NHL, the top-tier defensemen - think Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Victor Hedman - are two-way forces.
Vlasic might not have that kind of offensive ceiling, and that likely caps his potential as a true No. 1.
Still, every team needs a Vlasic-type - a guy who makes life miserable for opposing forwards and brings stability to the back end.
Wyatt Kaiser: The Reliable Riser
Wyatt Kaiser’s season got off to a late start due to contract negotiations, but once he hit the ice, he wasted no time making an impact. The 23-year-old has become a trusted all-situations player for head coach Jeff Blashill, and he’s already set a new career-high with 11 points.
Kaiser isn’t the biggest guy on the ice - he’s listed at 6'0", 190 pounds - but he compensates with high-end skating and smart stick work. He’s the kind of player who quietly makes the right play more often than not. That said, while he’s tracking toward being a dependable top-four defenseman, he likely doesn’t have the offensive juice or physical presence to be a franchise cornerstone on the blue line.
Artyom Levshunov: The High-Ceiling Playmaker
If there’s one player in the system who could become Chicago’s next No. 1 defenseman, it’s Artyom Levshunov. The second-overall pick has already shown why the Blackhawks were willing to bet big on him. His offensive instincts are undeniable - he’s on pace for 34 points in 80 games, which would outpace what guys like Charlie McAvoy, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson produced in their age-20 seasons.
But with that offensive flair comes a learning curve. Levshunov has had his share of rookie mistakes - over-aggressive pinches, risky passes, and lapses in coverage.
That’s not unusual for young defensemen, and the upside is still sky-high. If he can tighten up the defensive side of his game, Levshunov has all the tools to be a top-pairing force - and maybe even the guy on Chicago’s back end for years to come.
Sam Rinzel: The Tools Are There
Sam Rinzel turned heads during his nine-game NHL audition last spring, showing off the kind of skating and skill you don’t often see in a 6'4" defenseman. He started this season with the big club, but after 28 games, the Blackhawks decided he needed more time to develop and sent him down to Rockford.
It’s a setback, sure, but not an uncommon one. Vlasic, Levshunov, Kaiser, and Louis Crevier all spent time with the IceHogs before sticking in the NHL.
Rinzel has the raw tools - size, mobility, puck skills - to be a top-pairing guy. The question now is whether he can put it all together consistently.
If he does, the Blackhawks might have something special.
Kevin Korchinski: Once the Favorite, Now a Question Mark
It wasn’t long ago - summer of 2023, to be exact - that Kevin Korchinski looked like the future of the Blackhawks’ blue line. He was coming off a monster season that included a World Juniors gold medal, a WHL championship, and First All-Star Team honors. But since then, things have gone sideways.
Korchinski struggled in his first full NHL season, then spent most of the next two years in Rockford. He’s only appeared in two NHL games this season, and the offense that once set him apart hasn’t translated at the pro level.
Combine that with shaky defensive play, and it’s fair to wonder where he fits in the long-term picture. At 21, there’s still time - but the trajectory has definitely cooled.
2026 First-Round Pick: One More Shot at a Game-Changer?
Even with all the young talent already in the system, the Blackhawks could be in line to add another high-end piece. As of January 24, they sit 27th in the NHL standings - a position that could land them another top-10 pick in the 2026 draft.
And this year’s class features several defensemen with star potential. Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, Alberts Smits, and Carson Carels have all been projected as top-10 picks and have already represented their countries at the World Juniors. Any one of them could be a game-changer for a team still looking for its next elite blueliner.
If the Blackhawks keep trending upward while still landing a top-tier defensive prospect, that’s a win-win scenario - progress now with a chance to land a foundational piece for the future.
So… Who’s the Next Duncan Keith?
Right now, there’s no slam-dunk answer. But there are options - and that’s a good place to be.
If we’re stacking up the odds, Artyom Levshunov leads the pack. After him, it might be one of those 2026 draft prospects, followed by Sam Rinzel.
The Blackhawks are still searching for their next defensive anchor, but the pieces are in place. Now it’s about development, patience, and maybe a little bit of luck. One thing’s for sure: the future of the blue line is still being written in Chicago.