Kevin Korchinski is making a loud early case in Blackhawks camp, and he’s doing it with the kind of tools that get noticed fast: clean puck movement, quick offense from the blue line, and skating that keeps him in the play. With Chicago sorting through eight defensemen for six spots, that kind of start matters.
The Blackhawks’ group includes Alex Vlasic, Bowen Byram, Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Ian Cole, Ethan Del Mastro, Korchinski, and Wyatt Kaiser. Waivers and AHL eligibility will factor into the decision, but the bigger idea is simple: Chicago wants its best players on the ice. Vlasic, Byram, Cole, and Kaiser are viewed as the top four heading into camp, which leaves the remaining competition to sort out the final two openings.
Korchinski has helped his cause in the early going. In practice, he has stood out for the way he advances the puck and jumps into the offense. He carried that into Saturday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Wild, where he was Chicago’s best player in a 3-2 overtime loss.
"I think you have to take every day with the utmost importance," Korchinski said following the game that he played so well in. "You have to get geared up for the season. The regular season is coming up soon."
He finished with one assist, though it briefly looked like he might have scored. On the rush, as the last man joining the play, his shot deflected off Dominic Toninato and into the net. The sequence showed off exactly what Chicago wants from him: patience, poise, and the willingness to put the puck on goal.
"I just tried to get it on net," Korchinski said of the play. "[Having a]
shooter’s mentality for our team helps. That’s how you score goals. Simplify it,
shoot the puck, and good things happen."
His night went beyond the scoring play. He also drew a penalty, posted the second-highest xG share on the team at 55.8%, logged a team-high 25:25 of ice time, and led Chicago with two takeaways. Performances like that tend to buy more looks as the preseason moves forward and then winds down toward opening night.
Jeff Blashill’s postgame evaluation was measured, as coaches usually are this time of year. He said Korchinski could have moved his feet better early in the first period, but he improved as the game went on. Blashill also noted that the team as a whole got better as the game progressed, suggesting Korchinski’s play helped set the tone.
Chicago could dress an NHL lineup Monday when the Wild come to the United Center for preseason game 2. Korchinski may not be in that group, since he and Ethan Del Mastro were the extras in Sunday’s practice. Still, his first impression has been strong, and it has only helped his case as he tries to become an NHL player in 2026-27.
Even if he’s not in the lineup on night 1, there’s plenty of runway left. If he keeps playing like he did in Minnesota, he’ll stay in the conversation.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Just Started A Camp Trim That Says Plenty About Their Prospects
After a busy Rookie Camp and Prospect Showcase, the Blackhawks have already begun trimming the edges of their training camp roster. Ryan Roobroeck, Parker Holmes, and Ty Henry all got a look in the teams recent prospect events before being sent back to their Ontario Hockey League clubs for the 2026-27 season, a reminder of where each young player stands in his development and how quickly the path narrows once camp turns serious.
Chicagos camp group is now down to 47 players, and theres likely more movement ahead as the preseason schedule continues to tighten the competition. Another round of cuts could come after Mondays preseason game against Minnesota, which should give the Blackhawks another chance to separate the hopefuls from the players who are starting to look ready for the next step. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Defense Battle Is Putting Real Pressure On Ethan Del Mastro
Training camp has turned the Blackhawks blue line into one of the more interesting battles on the roster, and Ethan Del Mastro is right in the middle of it. Chicago has eight defensemen who can make an NHL case for themselves, but only six openings in the lineup, which makes every preseason shift matter a little more than usual. Del Mastro helped himself in the first preseason game, and the organization has already shown faith in him by extending his contract, so this is no longer just about making an impression. It is about forcing his way into a real role.
For Del Mastro, the path forward is tied to the details that can separate an NHL regular from a depth option. He has been working on his skating and defensive mobility to make himself harder to play against, and those improvements could be what keeps him in the conversation as camp tightens. The Blackhawks like the potential enough to keep testing him, but with the numbers game already crowding the defense, every practice and exhibition game is adding pressure to prove he belongs. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Cut Leaves Veteran Defenseman In Roster Limbo
The Blackhawks latest training camp cuts have pushed Derrick Pouliot into roster limbo, with the veteran defenseman now waiting to see where he lands after being moved out of the NHL picture. Pouliots arrival in the organization gave Chicago another experienced blue-line option, and his game has still shown enough offensive touch to matter, even as his scoring rate has trended downward in recent seasons.
For now, the next stop appears to be Rockford, where Pouliot is expected to play a major defensive role for the IceHogs in the 2026-27 season. It is a familiar kind of pivot for a player at this stage of his career, one who can still help an organization depth-wise even as the path back to Chicago becomes less certain. [Read more 🡒]