Our next player grade is a first of sorts. With the Chicago Blackhawks focused on the future, our player grades take a turn in that direction. With only one other defenseman as a part of our review so far, it's time to dive back in. Next up in our player grades is defenseman Kevin Korchinski.
The 7th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft played an admirable first season in the NHL. At just 19 years of age, Korchinski was a surprise to make the team out of camp for the 2023-24 season. Many, including ourselves, expected Korchinski to return to Seattle of the WHL and get another juniors season under his belt. Instead, Chicago opted to keep him up and let him learn on the fly at the NHL level.
Story of the Season
Kevin Korchinski played 76 games with the Blackhawks in 2023-24, averaging 19:36 of time on ice. Although his offensive numbers weren't crazy ( five goals, 10 assists), Korchinski had some impressive moments during the season. He certainly looked overwhelmed at times, but that's normal. Few defensemen his age thrive in the NHL right away.
Korchinski missed some games due to the tragic passing of his father during the season. Otherwise, Korchinski played in every other game as a 19-year-old. Having just turned 20, Korchinski is primed to continue ascending in his development.
Perhaps the highlight moment of his season for the young defenseman, Korchinski scored his first game-winning overtime goal on Black Friday. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks battled back from down 3-1 to tie the game. In overtime, Connor Bedard, Philipp Kurashev, and Korchinski combined to score the game-winning goal, with Korchinski tucking an awkward rebound in from the side of the net.
The youngster will be primed to take another step forward in 2024-25.
Grades
Jonnie Nonnie's Grade: B-
Kevin Korchinski was thrown right into the fire by coming to the NHL instead of returning to juniors for another season. Taking his lumps in a rebuilding season will do him and the Blackhawks good in the long run, but those lumps shouldn't be glossed over just because of his slick passing ability. Korchinski profiles as an offensive-leaning defensemen, but he must polish his positioning and bulk up a bit to hold his own better in the D-zone.
Tony Marchese's Grade: A
Sometimes you need to grade on a scale, and this is one of those cases. Entering the season, many expected Korchinski to only play a couple games in the NHL, but the young defenseman remained in Chicago for the full season and averaged 19:36 TOI while putting up 15 points in 76 games. While flaws in the young defenseman's game are still evident, playing his first full season in the NHL earlier than most expected is a pretty big accomplishment and that is deserving of an A in my book. Full disclosure: the grading scale is going to get much tougher for Korchinski in his sophomore season.
Ron Luce's Grade: B-
Playing in the NHL as a teenager is admirable, especially as a defenseman. Korchinski had plenty of growing pains in his first season, but played well considering he was thrown into the fire. I can't give him an A for the natural rookie mistakes he made throughout the season, but given the role he was thrust into, he gets well above a passing grade.
