Chicago Blackhawks: Top 5 Prospects of 2014-15

Adam Clendening projects to be very much like Nick Leddy, albeit with less speed. Clendening is brilliant offensively and has been steadily expanding his game for several years. He still has some own-zone issues to work on, but there is some major promise here.

Stephen Johns had a bit of a disappointing training camp and preseason, being overshadowed by Trevor van Riemsdyk and never truly threatening to make Chicago's season-opening roster. With that said, his blend of size, physicality and hockey IQ aren't particular common in an increasingly skill-oriented NHL, and he looks to be a solid top-four defenseman at some point down the line.

Jeremy Morin made Chicago's roster to start the season, and he should get plenty of opportunities to succeed with Kris Versteeg out for the next three weeks. Morin has one of the best shots on the team and has already flashed considerable goalscoring potential at the NHL level.

Acquired in the Nick Leddy trade, Ville Pokka is Chicago's clear-cut #2 prospect. The Finnish defenseman is already a strong two-way presence and could play a top-four role in the NHL as soon as next year.

The Brad Richards signing all but guaranteed that Teuvo Teravainen would play most (if not all) of his 2014-15 season with the Rockford IceHogs. The hope is that Teravainen will spend the year developing a two-way game at center and dominating the AHL.