The Chicago Blackhawks have several promising young players to keep an eye on during the 2025-26 season, and one of them is defenseman Kevin Korchinski. While the 2022 seventh-overall pick has had some growing pains early on in his career, he still has the potential to become an incredibly important part of Chicago's future and will be looking to take a big step forward in his development next season.
During this past season with the Blackhawks, Korchinski posted one goal, one assist, and a minus-5 rating in 16 games. This was after he recorded five goals, 10 assists, and 15 points in 76 games with the Blackhawks during his rookie campaign in 2023-24.
Korchinski spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Rockford IceHogs, however, where he posted three goals, 27 points, and a minus-17 rating in 56 regular-season games. He also had two goals and four points in seven playoff games for Rockford.
Overall, Korchinski has yet to have that big breakout season for the Blackhawks, but this certainly has the chance to change in 2025-26. The left-shot blueliner has the tools to blossom into an impactful NHL defenseman, and it is exactly why he was selected so early in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Now, Korchinski's goal heading into next season will be to tap into his high potential more. If he does, he would undoubtedly give the Blackhawks' blueline a serious boost. We will need to wait and see if he can do just that from here.
Blackhawks Trade Target Expected To Stay Put
Earlier this summer, <a href="https://www.thefourthperiod.com/summer-trade-watch-list-2025">The Fourth Period reported</a> that the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks">Chicago Blackhawks</a> are one of the teams linked to Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues. Given the Blackhawks' need for more skilled forwards, it is understandable that the Blackhawks have been connected to a two-time Stanley Cup winner like Rodrigues.