The 2025-26 season hasn't exactly been a highlight reel for Blackhawks fans. With a record of 22-26-9 at the Olympic break, they're sitting in sixth place, trailing the last wild card spot in the West by 10 points.
A playoff run seems more like a dream than a reality at this point. So, naturally, the focus shifts to the future and the prospects who might just reignite the spark in Chicago.
Enter Marek Vanacker and Jack Pridham, two young guns lighting up the Ontario Hockey League. Vanacker is leading the league with an impressive 39 goals, while Pridham is hot on his heels with 35. These performances are giving Blackhawks fans something to cheer about, but the real question is: how do these rising stars fit into the team's long-term strategy?
Vanacker is having a standout season, his best since 2023-24. With 39 goals, 26 assists, and a total of 65 points, he's on track for a 92-point season, surpassing his previous best by 10 points. After bouncing back from a torn labrum, Vanacker has emerged as the dynamic scorer everyone hoped he'd become.
What's exciting about Vanacker is his versatility. He's equally effective on a shutdown third line as he is on a high-flying first line.
This adaptability gives him a strong shot at making the 2026-27 opening-night roster. Even if he doesn't start the season with the team, he's poised to be a fixture in the Blackhawks' middle six, blending offensive prowess with solid defensive play.
Pridham, on the other hand, is in the midst of a breakout campaign. In just his second OHL season, he's already surpassed last year's numbers with 35 goals, 36 assists, and 71 points-a 17-point jump. This surge has eased concerns about his offensive skills and shown that his time in junior hockey is paying off.
Pridham is set to join Boston University for the 2026-27 season, so it'll be a couple of years before he dons a Blackhawks jersey. However, if his development continues on this trajectory, we could see him in Chicago by the 2028-29 season.
He’s likely to become a key offensive piece in the bottom six, adding depth and length to the lineup. And if he keeps exceeding expectations, a top-six role isn't out of the question.
Sure, the OHL isn't the NHL, but seeing these two dominate is a promising sign for the Blackhawks' future. It offers a glimmer of hope that brighter days are on the horizon for this storied franchise.