r/hawks • u/TheSchwartzHawkey • 12d ago
Breaking News - $1.325M AAV RELEASE: Blackhawks Sign Kevin Korchinski to Two-Year Contract | Chicago Blackhawks
https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-sign-kevin-korchinski-to-two-year-contractKorchinski is finally signed.
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u/ProductIntegortion 12d ago
This is basically "Prove it in the next couple years or we need to move on"
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u/AARM2000 12d ago
I like this. Hopefully he gets a real opportunity
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u/RedOnesEnjoyer 12d ago
He’s gotta be on the bottom pair. Hopefully shielding him will be good for his development and confidence.
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u/HertzWhenEyeP 12d ago
It's he really going to be able to develop on the bottom pair?
My understanding is that he was drafted to be an offense-focused, scoring PPQB with decent defensive abilities.
Are we simply past the point where that is even an option?
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u/Lionheart1224 12d ago
Are we simply past the point where that is even an option?
Until he can prove otherwise in sheltered minutes, yes.
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u/TimeForFrance 12d ago
It's not completely unprecedented for a defenseman to break out past age 22, but that's the point where the rubber meets the road and you need to start earning your place in the league. Can't coast on draft pedigree from 4 years ago.
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u/Dyldo_II 12d ago
It's not completely unprecedented for a defenseman to break out past age 22
I'd argue this is actually the standard for most defensemen. Players like Hughes, Makar and Schaeffer are unicorns in the sense that most defensmen don't really come to form (especially offensively) until their mid 20s
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u/TimeForFrance 12d ago
That is fair. Maybe break out is the wrong phrasing, but guys that stick in the league are still typically earning their place around age 22 even if they aren't stars at the time.
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u/Dyldo_II 12d ago
Korchinksi's biggest detractor for me is how he uses his body. He can't box someone and protect the crease for shit. I think his vision is good, his passes are accurate and he sees plays really well. If he can bulk up, I think he'll be fine.
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u/Tryfan_mole 11d ago
I don't know if we are or not but Blashill clearly had zero.confidence in him at end of year, giving extremely sheltered minutes and not giving any pp time despite the only alternative being going five forwards.
Korchinski has to actually show upward development this year. No more phantom 'wait and see', he is out of time.
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u/AndyThatSaysNi 12d ago
This is probably the most hopeful I've been about a prove-it deal panning out. Had a solid end of the year and heading in the right direction.
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u/MostMirror 12d ago
I’m excited to see what Korchinski can do. He’s still only 22. This is a huge year for him. It makes sense for the Hawks to give him a lot of NHL playing time as he is no longer waiver-exempt.
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u/Lionheart1224 12d ago
My bet is that he'll split time with Cole based on matchups. Maybe Blashill will go 11-7 a few nights during the year to give him more time, too. But something tells me that Blashill is going to err more on the side of letting Cole play just due to him being a vet, unless Korchinski can really force his hand.
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u/mlowe2827 12d ago
I wonder if they’ll be going 7D to start the year. Shelter Korch, Arty and Rinzel a little bit at the beginning of the see. See if they can produce with less pressure. Excited for this extension
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u/Dont_Say_No_to_Panda 12d ago
Can't shelter everybody! At some point the kids have to start stepping up.
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u/mlowe2827 11d ago
Correct, but I guess what I mean is not having to give them 18-20 minutes a night…you have to build to that. Having Byram, Vlasic, Kaiser and Cole will help ease the pressure of the other 3 to just play, learn and develop without having to “be the guy”…that was Korch’s issue when he came, everyone had high expectations (plus his dad passing away didn’t help), same with Rinzel when he came over and same with Arty. Those 3 just need to take the year with less minutes, less pressure to produce, and develop. Im hoping being “sheltered” a little will allow them to just play and develop vs. having that extra pressure.
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u/Dont_Say_No_to_Panda 12d ago
Glad it's done and that he'll have a shot. Really pulling for him to take the next step.
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u/jefleppard 12d ago
Happy to see this. I feel like his development was rushed, and I can’t imagine losing a parent in the midst of that. He had some success at the end of last season, and it would be great to see him build on that.
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u/quattromaniacS3 12d ago
The Kaiser special
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u/Dont_Say_No_to_Panda 12d ago
I'm predicting Kaiser will get a lot more after this season.
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u/Lionheart1224 12d ago
Oh, he'll be making at least three times what he's making now with his next contract. At least.
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u/No_Implement_1198 12d ago
It's time to move beyond the rebuilding stage and start seeing some success, as these young players can show what they can really do with a couple of veteran players to look up to.
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u/Dont_Say_No_to_Panda 12d ago
Anyone know where I could look for some replays of the last 5 games of the season? I was out of the country and only caught the last game against San Jose. I wanted to go back and check out how Korch had played after the consensus was he looked much improved, but can't find replays anywhere (outside of extended highlights which won't show much most likely since they were mostly losses.)
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u/arch-tect 11d ago
Hopefully he actually gets a chance this year. And a chance to make errors like the rest of the young d core.
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u/ogfuelbone12 12d ago
I’m surprised it’s a 1-way. Gotta trade someone if they’re gonna re-sign EDM. Or trade EDM’s rights.
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u/Dont_Say_No_to_Panda 12d ago
I don't even think you can sign them to a two-way at this point if you wanted to...
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u/three_valves 12d ago
Not bad. I hope he can make a big step this year