Blackhawks Player Grades: Isaak Phillips

The Chicago Blackhawks have a loaded talent pool for defensemen. With Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, Alex Vlasic, and others in the pipeline and at the NHL level, there isn't much room for other young defensemen in the near future. That said, as a late-round pick, Issak Phillips has found a role for himself with the Hawks.

Drafted in the fifth round in 2020 , Phillips ascended quickly through the organization. The Barrie, Ontario native was named Rockford IceHogs' Rookie of the Year and made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season after playing in the AHL due to the lack of junior hockey.

Story of the Season

This past season, Isaak Phillips largely served as a seventh defenseman, filling in when the team needed depth due to injuries. The 22-year-old appeared in 33 games, averaging 17:04 of ice time per contest with six assists. Phillips' big frame makes him a physical presence on the blue line, but his scoring touch is minor at the NHL level.

For Phillips, this season will also be one of playing time earned through injuries. With huge additions to the blue line, Phillips and Louis Crevier will likely serve as the first guys to fill in if an injury presents itself. Both players inked one-year deals as restricted free agents, allowing the Blackhawks to lock up all their restricted free agents.

Unless Phillips plays better than he did last season, he'll likely remain a depth option moving into the future.

Player Grades

Jonnie Nonnie's Grade: D+

Isaak Phillips has intriguing physical tools, but his game needs more refinement to be NHL-caliber. The box score never tells the full story of a player, but Phillips' numbers, such as being tied for second to last on the team with a -0.4 point share, were unfavorable.

Tony Marchese's Grade: C-

While still a young defenseman in need of some development, Isaak Phillips got a chance at an extended look in Chicago this past season playing a career-high 33 games with the NHL club. It wasn't always pretty, as evidenced by a -26 rating in those 33 games, so there's definitely work to be done. With that said, Phillips served as organizational depth on the blue line and will continue to do so this season after re-signing with the Hawks.

Ron Luce's Grade: C

Isaak Phillips is kind of a great story if you think about it. He was drafted in 2020, played in Rockford thanks to the lack of a season anywhere in the juniors thanks to COVID in 2021, then continued to develop and get called up during his second professional season. Although he's only on a one-year deal, the 22-year-old still has room to develop. There's something there with the former fifth-round pick, but thinking of him as anything more than a seventh defenseman right now isn't fair to the young man. He didn't have a great season but showed flashes that could be meaningful in the future.

What's On Tap Next?

Isaak Phillips will likely bounce between the NHL and AHL this year, depending on the number of injuries at the NHL level. Playing in Rockford is likely best for his development, so the more he plays in the AHL, the better. However, Phillips is certainly a candidate to break camp as the seventh defenseman on the roster.

Tell us if you agree with our grades! What would you give Isaak Phillips? Let us know at @FourFeathersPod on X and Instagram !

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Four Feathers Podcast for more Chicago Blackhawks content, updates, and hot takes!