There is a skater on the Chicago Blackhawks having a very good first full season in the NHL, and it’s not Connor Bedard (well, not only him). It is defenceman Alex Vlasic, who is not a rookie because he played at least six games in each of the prior two seasons, but had just 21 career games heading into the 2023-24 season. Let’s look at his path as a prospect, how things have gone in the NHL, and what kind of fantasy hockey upside he has. 

Drafted in the second round of the 2019 Draft, the 6’6” Vlasic has never been a big producer at any level. His three years of college hockey provided 20 points in 82 games, his one AHL season saw him post 19 points in 56 games, and his NHL career has resulted in 14 points through 70 games. Being lauded for his defensive work, it isn’t as if his offensive