Artyom Levshunov’s rookie campaign with the Blackhawks was always going to come with growing pains. That’s part of the deal when you bring in a young, offensively-minded defenseman straight into the NHL spotlight. Chicago knew it - and they’ve said as much - but right now, Levshunov is in the thick of one of those tough stretches.
After a string of nine games without a point, Thursday night marked a low point for the 18-year-old blueliner. He finished the game with a minus-five rating and was directly involved in several of the Penguins’ goals - a tough outing by any measure, especially for a player still finding his footing at the highest level.
And that’s where things get interesting.
On Friday, the Blackhawks made a move that raised some eyebrows: they recalled defenseman Sam Rinzel from the AHL. Now, that doesn’t automatically mean a shake-up is imminent, but it does suggest the team is looking to tweak something on the back end. Whether Rinzel draws into the lineup Friday night against Columbus remains to be seen, but the timing of the move is telling.
Let’s break down the possibilities.
The most straightforward explanation? Maybe Chicago just wants to give Levshunov a breather.
A night off to reset, watch the game from above, and take a step back can be valuable for a young player. But calling up Rinzel - a prospect with real upside - just for that feels like more than a simple maintenance move.
There was no corresponding roster announcement, so Levshunov likely isn’t heading to Rockford. That leaves the door open for a few different scenarios.
One option is a return to the 11-forward, 7-defensemen setup that head coach Luke Richardson has leaned on at times this season. That approach could make sense if veteran forward Nick Foligno remains out after exiting Thursday’s game early. In that case, Rinzel could slot in as the seventh defenseman while the forward group reshuffles.
But there’s another layer to this - and it’s hard to ignore the timing with the NHL’s trade freeze looming next week.
Connor Murphy’s name has been swirling around the rumor mill, and for good reason. At 32, he’s a steady veteran on a rebuilding team, and playoff-bound clubs are always hunting for reliable defensive depth. If Chicago is indeed close to moving Murphy, Rinzel’s call-up could be a proactive step - getting the young defenseman acclimated before the roster shifts again.
Rinzel has been steady with the IceHogs, showing the kind of poise and development that earned him a first-round selection. His addition could bring some fresh energy to a Blackhawks team that’s still trying to claw its way back into the playoff picture. Even if they’re not quite there yet, giving young players like Rinzel a taste of NHL action now is part of the long-term blueprint.
Whether this move is about resting Levshunov, replacing Foligno, or preparing for a trade, one thing is clear: the Blackhawks are adjusting. And with the Olympic break just three games away, the next few days could offer even more clarity on where this team is headed - both short-term and beyond.