{"id":156824,"date":"2025-09-14T19:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T19:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/156824\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T19:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T19:51:09","slug":"blackhawks-prospect-oliver-moores-ability-to-improve-his-finishing-could-determine-future-nhl-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/156824\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore’s ability to improve his finishing could determine future NHL role"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. PAUL, Minn. \u2014 Oliver Moore\u2019s ability to improve his finishing could determine whether he becomes a bona fide top-six forward or merely a speedy depth piece for the Blackhawks<\/a> long-term.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Moore, 20, has just about everything else you would want.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s an otherworldly skater with strong work ethic, good vision and enough physical edge. At Hawks rookie camp this week \u2014 and in Hawks\u2019 3-2 overtime win Saturday against the Blues in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase \u2014 he has clearly been a notch above most prospects.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear whether he\u2019ll be a center or winger in the NHL, but it wouldn\u2019t really be a problem if he turns out to be the latter, especially if Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar do stick at center.<\/p>\n

“[Oliver is] very dynamic,\u201d Rockford coach Jared Nightingale said. “[It] seems like he doesn\u2019t tire out, [even] when the puck\u2019s on his stick. He\u2019s obviously a threat when he gets that wide speed. He\u2019s so short and stout that it\u2019s tough for defensemen to contain him.\u201d<\/p>\n

It all comes down to the finishing. That was a question mark when the Hawks drafted him 19th overall in 2023, and it significantly affected his production<\/a> as a sophomore last season at the University of Minnesota, as he finished with the exact same point total (33) as he did as a freshman. <\/p>\n

Then during his nine-game NHL cameo in April, he tallied four assists but none of his 16 shot attempts found the net. With good reason, finishing was a focus area for him this offseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big reason why I turned pro is because [the Hawks\u2019 staff is] so hands-on with you,\u201d Moore said. \u201cWe did a great job over the summer hammering down things I can work on, and I\u2019m looking to see that pay off here during the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big thing I\u2019ve talked about is just execution. I\u2019m getting in the right areas and finding the right soft spots. It\u2019s really [about] just bearing down on those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

In camp scrimmages this week, Moore had some prime looks saved by newly signed Russian goalie prospect Stan Berezhnoy \u2014 a camp standout \u2014 and he banged his stick on the boards, feeling the scrutiny from Hawks brass watching closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can be a difference-making player if I can put the net,\u201d he added. \u201cThat [goes for] anybody, but when you get chances to do that and you don\u2019t finish, you\u2019re obviously frustrated. It\u2019s a balance. You\u2019ve got to control your emotion, but you also have to care, and I\u2019m definitely a player that does.\u201d<\/p>\n

On a side note, Moore is correct about that going for anybody. Fellow forward prospect and Hawks roster hopeful Ryan Greene, for example, is in the same boat. Greene is responsible defensively, but he\u2019s not going to be a big producer at the NHL level. Whether he can contribute at all offensively could determine his fate.<\/p>\n

Moore showed strong chemistry Saturday with another fellow forward prospect, Nick Lardis, as they teamed up to create a number of scoring chances, but none went in during regulation.<\/p>\n

That finally changed in overtime, however, when Moore \u2014 following a play design Lardis drew up beforehand \u2014 beat his man down the wing, made a quick one-on-one move against the Blues goalie and tucked in the game-winner.<\/p>\n

Oliver Moore said Nick Lardis drew up this play during the break before OT.<\/p>\n

\u201cLardy said he\u2019s done it like six times in Brantford, so I\u2019m gonna trust the 70-goal scorer.\u201dpic.twitter.com\/5MQLAisnC9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Lardy\u2019 said he\u2019s done it like six times in [junior hockey], so I\u2019m going to trust a 70-goal scorer<\/a>,\u201d Moore said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to gain confidence here. If you\u2019re not playing well out there, you\u2019re not going to play well in training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019ll need to continue demonstrating that improved finishing touch in more than just prospect showcases to convince the Hawks, but it was an encouraging sign.<\/p>\n

“[It\u2019s] common math: the more chances you get, eventually one is going to go in,\u201d Nightingale said. \u201cHe has a bright future.\u201d<\/p>\n