The Chicago Blackhawks have too many young, talented defensemen in the organization. While that is actually a good problem to have, something does need to be done before assets diminish.
If Connor Murphy isn't traded this offseason, that will make six of the seven d-men on the Blackhawks roster next season age 24 or younger. This will include Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, and two of Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro, Kevin Korchinski, and Louis Crevier. Every one of them played at least 16 games for the Blackhawks last season except Rinzel who only signed after his NCAA season was over and played every game to end the season (9).
Vlasic isn't going anywhere. That much should be established. He and both Kaiser and Crevier are no longer exempt from waivers, which means they'd be open to any team if they're sent down. I think that might be the fate of Crevier if he is signed and not moved. Despite his size at a towering 6'8, he just doesn't fit into the future plans of the Blackhawks with the other young talent they have. He is also 24 years old while everyone other than Vlasic is 22 or younger.
Crevier likely won't make it past next offseason with the Blackhawks, and that's being generous. He could be a sixth or seventh defenseman in the NHL, but not in Chicago with all of the other young players who have higher ceilings pushing for spots.
Rinzel and Levshunov should be seen as untouchables since they project to be cornerstones of the Blackhawks' defense. Korchinski, not so much anymore. I think it hurt his development to bring him straight into the NHL as a 19-year-old. But that was a tough situation that didn't seem like there was a good choice. He was beyond ready to graduate from junior and couldn't play in the AHL yet because of his age. He played 76 games as a 19-year-old and then only 16 last season as he was able to get in development in the AHL.
Former head coach Anders Sorensen said this about Korchinski, "I think he's had a good year of development overall." While the development might have been good and it's a positive sign he will improve and be able to eventually step into the NHL, the Blackhawks have Vlasic, Kaiser, Del Mastro, and Allan on the left side too.
I do think that Korchinski is one of the odd men out even though he only turned 21. His value should still be high enough to be used to fetch a nice return in an impactful forward. He shouldn't be given up on and will likely stick around through the offseason, but he and Crevier appear to be the easiest choices when determining how Chicago is going to trim their defensive options.
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