For a long time, 19-year-olds weren't allowed to play in the AHL yet. They had to either return to junior or skip right to the NHL. This impacted the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023-24 as Kevin Korchinski was already much better than the majority of CHL players and needed to play up a level, but couldn't due to his age.

Instead of returning him to junior where he wouldn't have gotten much more growth, the Blackhawks decided to play him in the NHL the entire season. He struggled as he wasn't ready and the Blackhawks weren't a good team. Last season he returned to the AHL and got a lot more development there where he should have been playing prior. Former head coach Anders Sorensen said that Korchinski had a good development year, but he only recorded a goal and two points while playing 17:05 per game in the NHL in 2024-25.

Korchinski is part of a group of young Blackhawks defensemen all competing for a few spots in the NHL and his development path has likely hurt him.

Coming in 2026-27, Frank Seravalli reported that sources have told him a new provision in the CBA will allow each NHL team to place one 19-year-old CHL player in the AHL per season. While it isn't confirmed yet, it will likely happen and is a good step. It doesn't force too many veterans out of spots in the AHL and allows each team to avoid something like what happened to Korchinski happen to other highly touted prospects who are too good to play a fourth season in junior.

Confidence, better coaching, and playing at a level more suited for the young players is all very important and we may start to see less players who are drafted higher fizzle out before becoming everyday NHLers.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.