Latest Updates on the Top Prospects for the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks don't live in a vacuum. While they have a roster loaded with superstar players such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith, all of whom are capable of leading the team to another Stanley Cup, they are not immune to injuries or the aging process.

Young defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk just suffered a left patella fracture in a Nov. 16 victory over the Dallas Stars. As a result, the Blackhawks looked to the Rockford IceHogs, their AHL affiliate, for a replacement. They called up prospect Adam Clendening, who will likely take Van Riemsdyk's place on the varsity squad.

The Blackhawks have several prospects who will likely contribute at the NHL level in the foreseeable future. In this piece, we look at several of the top prospects within the organization and how they are playing. We include Clendening, who could make his NHL debut Thursday night at Calgary.

Defenseman Adam Clendening

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The Blackhawks will more than likely give Clendening an opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level as a result of Van Riemsdyk's injury.

The Blackhawks have full confidence in Clendening's ability to show what he can do from an offensive perspective, because he has a big shot and is an excellent passer. Clendening had 12 goals and 47 assists in 74 games at Rockford last year, and he has a goal and three assists in 16 games this season.

The issue with Clendening is his defensive play. Rockford head coach Ted Dent and his assistants have been working with him on his play in his own zone, and there has been progress.

“[We’ve focused on] just awareness defensively and commitment to be a good defender,” Dent told Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com. “Take care of his end and be positionally sound when he doesn’t have the puck more than anything. I think he has always had the ability, just never been held accountable for it. Through video and putting an emphasis on it, it’s improved.” 

According to Powers, Clendening is "expected" to make his NHL debut at some point during the Blackhawks' six-game road trip, so he will likely have a chance to show just how much progress he has made.

Center Teuvo Teravainen

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The Blackhawks' No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft has a prominent role in the team's long-term plans. Finnish-born Teuvo Teravainen will likely fill the team's No. 2 center position at some point in the foreseeable future.

He could get called up later this year or may not make a serious jump to the Blackhawks from Rockford until next season. Teravainen is getting used to the physical style played in North American, and general manager Stan Bowman likely doesn't want to rush his development.

Teravainen has scored two goals and eight assists in his first 14 games this season. His ability to see a play develop and make a sharp pass to a teammate has been on display, and he appears to be getting used to the hitting. 

He had a bit of a slow start but has been coming on in his recent games with the IceHogs. Teravainen is starting to get used to his surroundings, and with each passing game, he gets more prepared to play at the NHL level.

Expect Teravainen to start the 2015-16 season with the Blackhawks.

Forward Mark McNeill

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Mark McNeill is regularly a center for the IceHogs, but he is versatile and should be able to play any of the forward spots when he gets a chance to play with the Blackhawks.

Chicago's 2011 No. 1 draft pick is Rockford's leading scorer. He has put up nine goals and seven assists in his first 15 games and also has a plus-seven rating.

While it's not likely that McNeill is going to keep up his more-than-one-point-per-game average over the long haul with Rockford, he has demonstrated significant improvement after scoring 37 points in 76 games last season. 

McNeill suffered a lower-body injury last week that forced him out of the lineup for one game. He is considered day-to-day and should be back in the lineup shortly.

McNeill should get a chance to skate with the Blackhawks this year if they need to make an injury call-up.

Defenseman T.J. Brennan

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The Blackhawks acquired defenseman T.J. Brennan from the New York Islanders as part of the Nick Leddy trade just before the start of the season, and the 25-year-old has been playing quite well for Rockford.

Brennan is a fine puck-mover, and he has scored 11 points in 16 games. He has been especially hot lately, with 10 points in his last eight contests. He leads the IceHogs with a plus-12 rating.

Leddy was regularly in Joel Quenneville's doghouse, and it seemed as if it was just a matter of time before the Blackhawks would part company with him. Brennan is at the age where he has matured fully, and if he keeps playing well and the Blackhawks have any more injury issues, he could get his chance to play with the big club.

If Brennan continues to produce, he could get a call-up this season if the Blackhawks have an additional injury situations or Clendening has difficulties.

Center Nick Schmaltz

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The Blackhawks' 2014 first-round draft pick is playing college hockey at North Dakota in his freshman season. Schmaltz has adjusted well to the collegiate level, with one goal and seven assists in his first nine games.

However, his progress has been slowed by a lower-body injury. The Blackhawks have no immediate timetable on Schmaltz, as the 18-year-old is going to need quite a bit of seasoning before he gets a chance to play in the NHL.

He is a skilled scorer, but the Blackhawks would ideally like to see more energy from him and allow him to develop a bit more before he earns a chance to compete at the NHL level.