Monday and Tuesday mark the final two games of another disappointing season in this lengthy rebuild for the Chicago Blackhawks. The organization will finish 31st in the league standings for a second straight season, as they currently sit with a 23-46-11 record and 57 points. They will have the second best odds to win the draft lottery this year, with Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa being the top two prospects up for grabs this summer.
The Blackhawks have debuted a handful of young players in the organization’s prospect pipeline this season. Most of these have come within the last month or so, and a majority of them were first round draft choices. General manager Kyle Davidson has seen six of the eight first round picks he has made over the past three drafts play in the NHL this season, with the other two selections not far behind the rest.
When the Blackhawks take on the Canadians Monday evening in Montreal, two more individuals will be making their NHL debuts as the season comes to a close. Another Chicago forward prospect will get his shot with the big club, and the Canadians’ top draft pick last year who was almost a Blackhawk will get to see NHL ice for the first time.
The Chicago Blackhawks almost drafted Ivan Demidov
Ivan Demidov officially signed his entry level contract last week with the Canadians after many assumed he would remain in Russia for at least another season. The forward was the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, but it was rumored for quite a while that Chicago had serious interest in selecting him with the second overall pick. The Blackhawks ended up going with defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who was played well to begin his NHL career after making his debut last month.
Demidov making his debut against Chicago is ironic to say the least. He is coming off a strong season for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, where he has been for parts of the last three seasons. Demidov scored 19 goals and added 30 assists for 49 total points in his 65 games this year. Montreal is a win away from clinching a playoff spot, and they can do so in his debut at home this evening.
Ryan Greene will make his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Greene was a second round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2022 draft. The now 21-year-old has spent the last three seasons at Boston University after spending a couple of years with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Greene has improved in each of his three seasons at the collegiate level and earned a nod as one of the program’s co-captains for this past season.
The Terriers lost in the National Championship game against Western Michigan on Saturday night in a game that the Broncos dominated from start to finish. Greene didn’t waste any time signing his entry-level deal, as he agreed to terms with the Blackhawks on Sunday morning.
Greene will join Demidov in making his debut on Monday night at the Bell Centre. Based on scheduling this season, the forward will have to wait to make his United Center debut until next year. Greene had 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 40 games at Boston University this past season. He is seen as a bottom-six forward for the Blackhawks down the road and will certainly get a fair shot at making the team out of camp this summer. Greene’s leadership qualities that he brings to the table will help his case as well.
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