Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov keep showing up in the same conversations around the Blackhawks, and this week only added to the noise.
Frondell, the 2025 No. 3 overall pick, was included by The Athletic among the early Calder Trophy favorites for 2026-27, and NHL.com rolled out an interview with him on Thursday after speaking with Tom Gulitti at the NHL European Media Tour last month. In that conversation, Frondell talked about wanting to help get the Blackhawks back in the playoffs, his offseason training, and whether he’ll line up at center or wing this season.
Kantserov got his own boost on Thursday from Steven Ellis, who ranked him among the five best undersized prospects to know ahead of the 2026-27 season. Chicago Hockey Now also noted that Frondell and Kantserov were listed among the favorites to win the Calder Trophy in 2027, with both players’ previous pro experience and projected usage this year making them strong candidates.
The praise doesn’t stop there. Ellis also slotted Frondell and Kantserov as the Blackhawks’ top two prospects in his recent NHL pipelines ranking. Chicago’s prospect pool was ranked the best in the league, and Nick Lardis, Vaclav Nestrasil, and Xavier Villeneuve also drew attention.
Elsewhere around the league, the Detroit Red Wings’ general manager search appears to be moving past the two-month mark. Frank Seravalli had originally reported the club wanted to have its next GM in place by Labor Day, but that timeline looks like it will not be met.
The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford also put out ten bold predictions for the St. Louis Blues, including a fast start, a 30-goal season for Jimmy Snuggerud, and a move that would bring Alexander Nikishin over from the Carolina Hurricanes.
In Colorado, Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said contract talks with Artturi Lehkonen could carry into the start of the regular season. Lehkonen, 31, is in the final year of his current deal.
And NHL.com reported Wednesday that Prime Video has become the exclusive local streaming home this season for the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.
There was also a note involving the New Jersey Devils media and a player saying he was surprised by the trade news, while also discussing the possibility of a long-term extension with New Jersey.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Could Benefit If Anaheims Cutter Gauthier Situation Gets Worse
Cutter Gauthiers rise has been one of the more notable developments in Anaheim, with the forward putting together a strong start to his NHL career and following it up with a 41-goal season last year. Even with that production, his long-term fit with the Ducks has become a little murkier because of the pressure on their roster-building picture, and that is the kind of situation rival teams are watching closely.
The Blackhawks would be among the clubs with reason to pay attention if things get uncomfortable between Gauthier and Anaheim. Chicago is still in the stage of adding young talent and looking for high-end scoring help, and a player with Gauthiers ceiling would fit that timeline in a major way. For now, though, the issue is still unfolding, and the Ducks may yet find a way to keep the conversation from turning into a trade-market dilemma. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Need Roman Kantserov To Deliver Right Away
Roman Kantserov is arriving with a clear job description, and it is not the kind that allows for much easing in. The 2023 second-round pick is being brought into the Blackhawks mix as a player who can help address a glaring need for more consistent scoring, which makes his transition from the KHL one of the more intriguing storylines as the team tries to keep its offense moving forward.
Chicago is looking at him as a possible fit in the top six, with the idea that he could land in a spot that gives him real responsibility right away. With Connor Bedard sidelined, the Blackhawks need young forwards to supply some punch, and Kantserovs early adaptation could matter a great deal for how quickly the group finds a more reliable attack. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Prospects Are Entering A Make Or Break Season In Rockford
The Rockford IceHogs are marking their 20th season as the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, and the timing makes this winter feel especially important for the organizations young players. A handful of prospects have taken noticeable steps forward in Rockford, giving Chicago a deeper pool to monitor as the NHL club looks for help that can grow into something more than a short-term patch.
Samuel Savoie and Gavin Hayes have each put themselves in position to force the issue, while Paul Ludwinski and Martin Misiak enter a more pivotal stretch with their long-term standing still very much in question. For those two, better production is not just about earning attention this season, it could shape whether they remain part of the Blackhawks plans at all once the year is done. [Read more 🡒]