The Chicago Blackhawks are entering a season where the expectations are higher than they have been in the past couple of years.

Many additions were made in the offseason to make the team more competitive and increase their position in the NHL standings.

This will likely result in certain young players not being given a roster spot as easily as last season, simply because there is much more internal competition.

One player who has been the topic of debate is Kevin Korchinski, the Blackhawks’ seventh overall selection in the 2022 NHL draft.

Korchinski saw great success after being drafted as one of the top players on the WHL championship winning Seattle Thunderbirds, proving he was ready to take the next step.

After a strong training camp in 2023, Korchinski was named to the opening night roster and spent the entire season with the Blackhawks as a 19-year-old.

Ideally, he would have spent the year in Rockford with the IceHogs (AHL), but was ineligible due to the NHL’s contract with the CHL which does not allow CHL players to play in the AHL until they are 20 or have complete four junior seasons.

In his rookie season, Korchinski looked as advertised for a 19-year-old defenseman playing in the NHL. There were nights when he was getting out-muscled by opponents and exposed defensively, which is not out of the ordinary for a rookie defender. There were always going to be growing pains in the NHL, and Korchinski experienced those.

That is not to say he was a disappointment this past season, as there were games where his offensive capabilities were put on display and gave fans a glimpse of what he could be in the future. He is a talented player with the puck on his stick and knows how to make things happen in the offensive zone.

Despite getting better throughout the season, some believe Korchinski might be better off spending a full season with the IceHogs now that he is eligible. With the Blackhawks using Rockford much more for development than in years prior, there is an argument to be made that it could benefit the young defender.

Option One: Starting the season in Rockford

The decision of where Kevin Korchinski will play this season will ultimately depend on how he looks in training camp. He is one of the most talented players in the organization, but management could see the benefit of sending him to the IceHogs for the season’s start.

The recent history of the Blackhawks’ development of young defensemen in Rockford has brought good results.

Alex Vlasic is the highlight of the group after his stellar rookie season with the Blackhawks, as he was given a full season as Rockford’s top defender the year prior. Wyatt Kaiser, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan all have progressed well in Rockford’s system and all look like potential NHL options.

If Korchinski is sent to the AHL, he will get the opportunity to play top-pair and in every situation for the IceHogs. Playing in Rockford will give him the chance to take chances as well seeing as the league is more forgiving than the NHL.

Playing in all situations could be a great way to round out Korchinski’s game in an environment where the stakes are not as high. Defensemen normally take a little longer than forward to develop and a big part of that is getting acclimated to the professional game.

Korchinski put a lot of work into his play without the puck last season and showed more aggressiveness toward the end of the season. A season with the IceHogs could give him the chance to polish that side of his game even more even if it is for a short time before returning to the NHL.

Option two: Starting the season in Chicago

Beginning the 2024-25 season with the Blackhawks may end up being the more likely option for Korchinski. Now that he has had a full season in the NHL, he should have a better idea of what he needs to work on over the offseason.

Korchinski made improvements throughout the season and would look to take another step on an improved Blackhawks roster. His best attribute is his offensive capabilities and the team now has more players who can provide offense as opposed to last season.

Having the opportunity to showcase his offense will bring more confidence for Korchinski as well, and the veteran additions of Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie gives him even more experienced players to help mentor him and teach him how to succeed in the NHL.

One thing to remember with young defensemen is that patience is key with their development. Not every game will be perfect, but the right group around them will help to iron out those mistake and make them better in the long run. It isn’t often discussed, but the early seasons of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were full of defensive lapses and teachable moments.

With a year under his belt and an improved roster, Korchinski will have the opportunity to establish himself as a core member of the Blackhawks for both the present and future. If he struggles early on, he may see himself in Rockford for a stint to regain his confidence. But, if that were to happen, it is unlikely he would not return to Chicago later in the season.