Kevin Korchinski Rejoins Blackhawks, But Not Ready to Play

Rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski rejoined the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday for their game-day skate before the team met Colorado. 

The swift-skating 19-year-old won't play against the Avalanche, however, after returning from his hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Monday following the death of his father, Larry.

Korchinski hasn't played since Dec. 7 versus Anaheim, then being placed on non-roster and heading home on Dec. 8. Although the Blackhawks defense is depleted by injuries, they'll ease the 2022 first-round draft pick back into the lineup.

Still, just having Korchinski back on the ice was a boost.

"It was great to see him," coach Luke Richardson said. "The guys really responded well with having him back in the dressing room and he had a big smile on there this morning."

The 59-year-old Larry Korchinski's funeral was on Friday. The Blackhawks players and coaches attended his mass in Saskatoon as the team was able to route its chartered jet for a brief stop on the way back to Chicago from Seattle.

"(Kevin Korchinski) hasn't skated much obviously, I think once when he was at home," Richardson said. "We're just going to let him have a couple of practices here and see where he's at and let him tell us when he's ready to go." See following video.

Korchinski is third on Chicago with an average 19:31 of ice time per game. He has two goals and five assists in 25 games and is a minus-12. 

Fellow Blackhawks rookie and teenager Connor Bedard — who often plays shinny with Korchinski after practices — was happy to see his pal and former 2023 WJC teammate back.

"It's awesome to have him here," Bedard said. "It's a very tough situation for him and his family. 

"He's part of our family. He's one of our brothers, so we're here for him and it's going to be good for him being back in the team environment." See the following video.

The Blackhawks remain without top defenseman Seth Jones, on IR with a shoulder injury and Alex Vlasic, sidelined with an upper-body condition.

Vlasic, second on Chicago with an average of 20:06 minutes of ice time per game, skated on his own Tuesday, but won't play.

"I think he's doing better, but we really don't have a longterm timeline on him yet," Richardson said. 

Richardson didn't think the 29-year-old Jones, the team's solid blueline anchor, would return before Christmas.  

Jones leads the Blackhawks and is fifth in the NHL with an average for 25:25 of ice time. The 6-foot-4 D-man has no goals, despite 60 shots, and 11 assists.

Forward Colin Blackwell, who hasn't played in a game since Feb. 27, is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday. The 30-year-old underwent hernia surgery in March.

Forward MacKenzie Entwistle, who sat out two games with an illness, also will be back.

Cole Guttman will be a healthy scratch. Richardson said the former University of Denver star needed to address some defensive issues.