Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore’s ability to improve his finishing could determine future NHL role

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Oliver Moore’s 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 long-term.

That’s because Moore, 20, has just about everything else you would want.

He’s an otherworldly skater with strong work ethic, good vision and enough physical edge. At Hawks rookie camp this week — and in Hawks’ 3-2 overtime win Saturday against the Blues in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase — he has clearly been a notch above most prospects.

It’s unclear whether he’ll be a center or winger in the NHL, but it wouldn’t really be a problem if he turns out to be the latter, especially if Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar do stick at center.

“[Oliver is] very dynamic,” Rockford coach Jared Nightingale said. “[It] seems like he doesn’t tire out, [even] when the puck’s on his stick. He’s obviously a threat when he gets that wide speed. He’s so short and stout that it’s tough for defensemen to contain him.”

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 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.

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.

“A big reason why I turned pro is because [the Hawks’ staff is] so hands-on with you,” Moore said. “We did a great job over the summer hammering down things I can work on, and I’m looking to see that pay off here during the year.

“A big thing I’ve talked about is just execution. I’m getting in the right areas and finding the right soft spots. It’s really [about] just bearing down on those opportunities.”

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

“I think I can be a difference-making player if I can put the net,” he added. “That [goes for] anybody, but when you get chances to do that and you don’t finish, you’re obviously frustrated. It’s a balance. You’ve got to control your emotion, but you also have to care, and I’m definitely a player that does.”

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’s not going to be a big producer at the NHL level. Whether he can contribute at all offensively could determine his fate.

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.

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

“‘Lardy’ said he’s done it like six times in [junior hockey], so I’m going to trust a 70-goal scorer,” Moore said. “It’s important to gain confidence here. If you’re not playing well out there, you’re not going to play well in training camp.”

He’ll need to continue demonstrating that improved finishing touch in more than just prospect showcases to convince the Hawks, but it was an encouraging sign.

“[It’s] common math: the more chances you get, eventually one is going to go in,” Nightingale said. “He has a bright future.”