The Chicago Blackhawks have a big season in front of them. The organization is committed to building through drafts, with a large number of draft picks ready, or an NHL ready cusp. Many young players will have a chance to succeed this season. Some become everyday players, while many others will make their NHL debut. Meanwhile, a small group of veterans will be appointed to help young people find their way.
In this series, we will be in the 2025-26 campaign, and we will preview each player expected to be in the roster and their roles on the team. Today, we highlight defensive player Kevin Korchinski.
Korchinski Numbers
Drafting: 7Th Blackhawks overall in 2022 (first round)
Location: Defensive player (left shot)
Height/weight: 6 feet 1, 185 lbs
Age/Birthday: 21 years old (June 21, 2004)
nation: Canada
2024-25 Data: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points and 16 games
Career Statistics: 6 goals, 11 assists, and 17 points in 92 games
Related – Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Preview: Sam Rinzel
How did he get here
Korchinski’s NHL career has had a unique start so far, and it’s a well-known story. The young defender continues to dominate the 2022-23 season with the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds after the Blackhawks were selected as the seventh-to-num in the 2022 draft. He scored 11 goals and 73 points in 54 regular season games and added 3 goals and 14 points in 19 playoff games.
In the 2023-24 season, the Blackhawks were unable to send 19-year-old Korchinski to Ahl Rockford Icehogs due to long-term rules between the CHL and the NHL. It’s WHL or NHL again. The organization chose to bring Korchinski close to fold, and he lives with the Blackhawks for 76 games.
It was a particularly difficult season for the team as a whole. Veteran Taylor Hall played only 10 games, if you remember, and then missed the game with a torn ACL for the rest of the season. This leaves behind a new cornerstone of rookie and franchise, Connor Bedard, with little help around. Blackhawks end season 31Yingshi In the league, the record was only 23-53-6 with only 52 points.
The rookie himself, Kochinsky, must have had his ups and downs. He scored five goals and 15 points in 76 games, but also minus 39 plus/minus ratings. In hindsight, it may not be the best environment for a Saskatchewanese, and may even hinder his development.
Korchinski then spent most of his 2024-25 campaign with Icehogs, arguably the best spot for this in his young career. He did well there, contributing three goals and 27 points in 56 regular season games, as well as two goals and four points in seven playoff games.
Related – The Blackhawks send Kevin Korchinski to the AHL is the right move
At the end of the season, the Blackhawks were called for nine games and then seven games at the end of the season, Kochinski’s defensive performance was greater than his defensive performance in the rookie campaign. Although, he was unable to release the offensive aspect of the game, with only one goal and two points in his 16 games.
Korchinski’s role in 2025 – 26 years
At the end of last season, with the emergence of 21-year-old defensive player Sam Rinzel, and 2024 second-second draft pick Artyom Levshunov also hopes to take another step next season, the problem is that Korkinski may experience a little loss in the shuffle.
But let’s face it; this is a good question! Levshunov certainly has a high ceiling, but he is still very primitive and needs to be worked on to maintain consistency. Meanwhile, it can be said that Kochinsky has further developed in his development, with 92 NHL games the same as Levshunov’s 16 games.
At the end of last season, Kochinsky often paired with the more defensive Connor Murphy. This is also very meaningful this season, and Murphy was able to report for Kochinsky, giving him a chance to attack more. Korchinski will also compete with Rinzel and Levshunov for strength to play time.
It is said that Kochinsky, Levshunov, Renzeel, Nolan Allen and Ethan del Mastro are all exempted. This means the organization has a choice of young prospects on the Blue Line. There will certainly be a lot going back and forth between Rockford and Chicago, depending on the situation and how everyone adapts as the season unfolds.
Related – Black Hawks 2025-26 Player Preview: Artyom Levshunov
But Cochins broke out in odds in the basic season and got the daily defender success with the Blackhawks.
