Kevin Korchinski’s 2025-26 season left the Blackhawks with more questions than answers, even if there were a few clear signs of progress along the way.
The 7th overall pick spent most of the year back in Rockford with the IceHogs, just as he did in 2024-25. And once again, he produced at a level that stood out in the AHL.
In 53 games, Korchinski put up 26 points, with two goals and 24 assists, and earned his second AHL All-Star selection. That kind of production kept his name in the conversation, even as his NHL role remained limited.
When he did get to Chicago, the opportunities were brief. Korchinski appeared in 13 NHL games and finished with two assists.
He was used on the third pair and averaged 13:38 of ice time, a clear sign that the coaching staff was still keeping him in a controlled role. There was improvement in his game, but not enough to suggest he had fully won over the bench.
At this point, he still feels like a player caught between two levels.
Chicago also kept its rights to him by issuing a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, so the Blackhawks still control the situation and have first right of refusal on any offer sheets.
The grades from the panel reflected that uncertainty. Blackhawks Cowboy gave Korchinski a C+, arguing that the first pick under the Kyle Davidson regime has not lived up to expectations and pointing to the rough path that followed the 2022-23 season. That assessment also noted that Korchinski looked more confident and more polished defensively in his second stint, but still not like the player Chicago thought it was getting when it took him 7th overall.
Tony Marchese landed at a C. He pointed out that Korchinski never really got a long runway in the NHL and spent most of the season in Rockford, serving as the depth option after Artyom Levshunov’s season-ending injury.
Marchese said Korchinski looked fine when he was called up, but with only 13 NHL games to work with, there just wasn’t much evidence to build a stronger grade. He also noted that Korchinski’s name keeps surfacing in trade speculation.
Ron Luce also gave him a C+, calling him one of the roster’s biggest wild cards. Luce highlighted the improved defensive play late in the season and the second AHL All-Star nod, but also said Korchinski seems to be without a clear spot on the blue line.
He connected that to Kyle Davidson’s addition of veteran defenseman Ian Cole, which could leave Korchinski on the outside looking in. Luce’s bottom line was simple: the defensive growth is real, but it still doesn’t look like enough for a player drafted 7th overall.
Now the pressure ramps up. Korchinski is heading into a pivotal season, and a prove-it contract could be on the horizon.
He’ll need to show that his game has taken another step and that he can stick with the Blackhawks. If not, the outlook in Chicago starts to look very thin for the former top pick.
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