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Blackhawks lose promising prospect as Jack Pridham heads back to NHL Draft

Chicago's former third round pick improved his stock dramatically before allowing his rights to expire.
ByCasey McAleer|
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Jan 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill reacts during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jan 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill reacts during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

With the arrival of June, the Chicago Blackhawks rights over former third round draft pick Jack Pridham have expired. Pridham had not yet signed an entry level contract, and without a commitment to an NCAA school, Pridham is set to re-enter the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks selected Pridham back in the third round of the 2024 draft, 92th overall. Since then, Pridham has elevated his play and therefore raised his ceiling. As such, it makes perfect sense why he would wish for a reset. Unfortunately, for the Blackhawks, this means the loss of a prospect that has only gotten more and more promising. 

Pridham's breakout season changed the equation

Pridham's path back to the draft has been an unconventional one. Due to changes in eligibility concerning the NCAA and the CHL, the possibility of revisiting the draft didn't exist when Chicago drafted Pridham. The greater NHL is still having difficulty navigating these sorts of eligibility requirements, and Pridham's case is one that's likely to pick up national attention. There simply hasn't been a case like this before, and how the NHL goes about this can set a precedent for the future.

The Blackhawks have had trouble signing entry level contracts through the last few years. Just last year, Dominic James had a similar situation that eventually led to James leaving the Blackhawks entirely.

Is this a systemic problem with the Blackhawks, or is this a problem within the NHL as a whole? The Blackhawks have not been a top team the last few years, and that could contribute to prospects not wishing to play in Chicago. But could this point to a greater issue?

At this point, there are more questions than answers. Pridham's departure is undoubtedly a loss for the Blackhawks, but it may also be a sign of a changing NHL landscape. If more prospects begin pursuing similar paths, teams throughout the league could face the same challenge Chicago faces today. Until then, the Blackhawks are left wondering whether this was an isolated setback or the beginning of a much larger trend.

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