With just one preseason game remaining before the Blackhawks kick off their 2026-27 regular season in Las Vegas, now is a good time for us to update our rankings of the best prospects in the organization.

This year’s final preseason rankings are… different than previous years. First, we actually got to see lots of these guys on the ice together in the middle of the summer because the Blackhawks decided to move their development camp back on the ice. That was nice — especially to see the college guys working alongside the others because we don’t get to see NCAA players in training camp or the prospect showcase.

The other reason this year’s final preseason rankings are slightly different is so many guys have graduated to the NHL level. Over the past four years we’ve been putting these lists together and breaking them down with hopes that there would be guys making an impact on the NHL ice for the Blackhawks at some point. Now, we’re watching many of the guys drafted over the past half-decade do precisely that in Chicago and Rockford.

It’s an exciting time to be tracking Blackhawks prospects because, while the first wave is now in the NHL, the next groups in the pipeline will have their opportunities to earn an NHL spot soon enough. And there’s a lot of talent still coming.

I have updated most of the heights and weights to be based on either the Blackhawks’ training camp roster or updated college rosters. You may notice some big jumps in weight; there was clearly a theme this summer that the players in the Hawks’ pipeline needed to get in the weight room. It’s been impressive to see the work they’ve put in both at development camp in the middle of the summer and again now in training camp.

Finally, please note this will likely be the last time the top two players on our list are eligible. I fully expect to graduate them both as soon as the regular season starts because they’re Blackhawks at the NHL level.

So, after watching a lot of these guys over the summer and in NHL training camp over the past couple weeks, let’s jump into our final 2026 offseason/preseason rankings of the top 20 prospects in the Chicago Blackhawks pipeline.

MORE: BN Blackhawks Top 20 Prospect Rankings: Preseason Final Updates (via Tab Bamford)

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