The NHL’s evolving panorama creates extra alternatives for rising stars, particularly with the signing of Entry-Stage Contracts (ELCs), signaling groups’ dedication to future expertise. For fantasy managers, these signings provide extra than simply headlines: they reveal workforce route and participant potential. Whether or not becoming a member of a playoff contender or a rebuilding squad with elevated ice time, these prospects are set to impression their groups and fantasy leagues.
On this piece I’ll evaluation their short- and long-term alternatives, specializing in workforce construction, ELC timing, and contract particulars (shout out to Puckpedia). By taking a look at potential deployment and roster outlook, we will achieve perception into how these gamers match and their fantasy potential. This week, all three gamers occur to be from the identical workforce—an uncommon however noteworthy coincidence.
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Artyom Levshunov – Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Video games Performed: 18 | Factors: 6A | ATOI: 20:19
The Blackhawks wasted no time fast-tracking Artyom Levshunov, signing him out of Michigan State final summer season. After 52 video games with the IceHogs, he acquired an 18-game look with the Blackhawks down the stretch and seemed like he belonged, dealing with the tempo and strain with confidence.
Levshunov’s NHL-ready dimension stands out, however it’s his poise and fluid mobility that basically elevate his recreation. At this level the blue line is in flux. Seth Jones was moved to clear cap house and create alternative, and the correct facet is now vast open. Levshunov won’t leap into top-pair duties instantly to begin the season, however the pathway is possbile. There may be probably a veteran addition coming, somebody who can stabilize issues whereas giving Levshunov house to develop. Possibly Matt Grzelcyk, Ivan Provorov, Aaron Ekblad or Brent Burns, all of that are free brokers this summer season. Chicago might additionally probably transfer some property in a commerce.
If Levshunov enters camp trying like he did throughout his late-season audition, a second-pair position with energy play reps is effectively inside attain. Count on his common TOI to hover round what he was getting this season, with room to develop as he positive aspects belief in additional conditions.
One angle to keep watch over is how Chicago deploys its younger protection core on the ability play. Most of their high prospects, together with Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic, shoot left. Levshunov’s right-handed shot and durable body give him an actual edge, particularly over Sam Rinzel, who remains to be growing. If Levshunov earns PP1 duties inside the subsequent yr or two, it might align completely with Bedard’s rise and the Hawks’ cap-friendly window.
From a fantasy standpoint, dynasty managers ought to already be holding shares. Levshunov tasks as a multi-category asset in hits, blocks, minutes and will flirt with 40–45 factors as early as subsequent season in the correct position. The actual ceiling, although, kicks in if he grabs high power-play utilization. A 50+ level upside shouldn’t be out of attain. His bodily maturity and defensive polish already draw comparisons to Moritz Seider, and he may really be forward of Seider developmentally on the similar stage. Backside line: the Blackhawks have made their transfer. Levshunov is right here, and the runway is evident.
Oliver Moore – Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Video games Performed: 9 | Factors: 0 | ATOI: 13:35
Oliver Moore won’t generate the identical buzz as Connor Bedard or Levshunov, however make no mistake, he’s a serious pillar in Chicago’s rebuild. He didn’t get a mid-season appear like Frank Nazar, however signing his ELC early indicators the workforce’s perception he is prepared to show professional. Skipping one other yr in school reveals confidence in his growth and a transparent intent to get him began on the subsequent section immediately.
The 9 video games he performed on the NHL degree had been mild on factors, however they served a much bigger goal. By beginning the clock on his ELC now, Chicago is staggering its high contracts towards one another—Moore, Levshunov, Rinzel on yr following Bedard, Korshinski and Nazar. It provides Kyle Davidson flexibility as he maps out a aggressive roster window round Bedard, and Moore’s early leap suits the timeline.
As for his position, Moore’s versatility is each a power and a work-in-progress. He has performed heart and wing throughout totally different ranges, and that’s probably how he’ll break in with the Hawks, a middle-six winger with PK reps and the power to slip into heart as wanted. That mirrors what we noticed from Nazar late within the season, and with Bedard locked into the 1C position and Nazar probably becoming as a 2C or hybrid, Moore turns into the man who can transfer across the lineup and drive tempo.
The centre place is one which which takes time to get used to. Simply ask gamers like Quinton Byfield, Leo Carlsson, and Mason McTavish; the latter two on a rebuilding workforce much like Chicago. From a comparability perspective, consider a Dylan Larkin-lite profile within the early levels for Moore: pace, construction, with potential of two-way reliability. Chicago’s system rewards accountability, so if he doesn’t produce early, count on him to earn minutes based mostly on effort and situational consciousness.
From a wage cap lens, there’s house for extra ahead assist. Pat Maroon‘s retirement, Andreas Athanasiou’s unsure future, and expiring offers like Donato (who could or could not re-sign) open up spots and Davidson has already made it clear once more the plan is to encompass Bedard with legit NHL expertise. Add within the retained salaries of Jake McCabe and Mikko Rantanen coming off the books, and there’s room to make a splash.
Whereas that each one sounds thrilling Moore’s deployment relies upon closely on what the Blackhawks do that coming low season. He may even see some reps within the AHL earlier than getting a everlasting look with the Blackhawks. Regardless, Moore ought to be stashed in deeper dynasty leagues, he is not going to mild up the league immediately, however the long-term top-six upside is actual with sneaky multi-cat worth.
Sam Rinzel – Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Video games Performed: 9 | Factors: 5A | ATOI: 23:22
Sam Rinzel’s growth has been regular, calculated, and totally aligned with Chicago’s long-term method to reshaping their blue line. There isn’t any purple flag right here – only a measured path via the USHL and two seasons with the College of Minnesota, the place he performed inside a defensively structured system that centered on self-discipline, positioning, and good puck motion. It’s precisely what Rinzel wanted to spherical out his recreation. The group clearly sees a gap on the correct facet of its defensive depth chart. Whereas Levshunov and Korchinski may seize many of the headlines, Rinzel quietly addresses a key want: a right-shot defender with dimension, easy, mobility, and offensive instincts.
Very like Levshunov and Moore, Chicago’s transfer to burn the primary yr of his ELC sends a powerful message. Many anticipated him to return for a 3rd NCAA season, however as an alternative, the workforce has prioritized time with the Blacckhawks and professional reps in Rockford. This means they need to get a better take a look at how he adjusts to the pro-level tempo whereas constructing chemistry with a rising pool of younger defensemen. With solely Levshunov and Connor Murphy forward of him on the correct facet, there’s a sensible path towards severe NHL minutes subsequent season and earlier than you might count on.
In any dynasty format with farm techniques or multi-cat scoring, he ought to be firmly on the watchlist if not already rostered. His upside lies in changing into a dependable second-pair defenseman who can contribute throughout a number of stat classes. A 30-to-35 level ceiling is inside attain subsequent season, notably if he secures PP2 deployment and continues so as to add layers to his offensive recreation. The comparability right here is extra of a Brock Faber or Colton Parayko-lite—regular, good, and environment friendly, with the potential to rise relying on how the minutes and particular groups’ utilization shake out.
If Rinzel earns the belief of the teaching employees early in his professional profession a PP1 alternative is unquestionably not out of the query. His worth in lots of fantasy codecs will solely proceed to climb.
Thanks for studying! See you subsequent week. For extra content material/fantasy hockey evaluation, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cowl, comply with and message me on X @Punters_hockey.
