Blackhawks Connor Murphy makes surprising comments after linemate Kevin Korchinski was demoted to AHL

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Joshua Deeds
October 3, 2024 (6:07 PM)

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Connor Murphy feels guilty lately, as Kevin Korchinski was his partner during the 19-year-old's rookie season.

He spoke highly of the rookie, who unfortunately didn't make the team this season. The competition was fierce, as the Blackhawks brought in TJ Brodie and Alec Martinez, which shook the defensive core up.

This resulted in Murphy taking Korchinski's demotion personally, as he felt he shared some responsibility for the now 20-year-old being sent to the Rockford IceHogs.

Last season, he wasn't able to be sent to the AHL due to the defenseman being 19 and would have had to be returned to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds. But after a season of seeing Korchinski's weaknesses, he was sent to the IceHogs in the hope he could improve.

Murphy said that "(Korchinski) did earn to be here last year, whether he would've with the rules or not. I think he showed a lot of great things." Murphy explained that he would have rather been in the minors to start his career because it allows players to be around others their own age and make mistakes without having the same pressure when they do. "I'm happy for him to be able to go there, build his game, and have a lot of fun with a lot of friends..."

Murphy played a half season for the Blackhawks due to injury and was Korchinski's main partner, on the defense last year. This limited his time with the Blackhawks rookie, which led to a lack of stability for Korchinski to develop.

"My initial reaction is to just feel partially responsible for not playing better with him and for him. As a partner you want to be able to stick together for a long time."

This is a sign of humility which for Korchinski is promising for him when he does eventually show up in the NHL again, as Murphy and Korchinski had an excellent XG/60(expected goals) rating last season at 5v5, and like a double-edged sword the highest XGA/60(goals against) as well.

Korchsini's lack of a stable partner in his play may have stunted his development as he played with four defensive partners last season including Murphy.

I think overall, he's got such a natural ability of skating and is offensively gifted and the breakouts he can make with the puck are so big. I would say, if anything, as a new defenseman, it's just about positioning and learning some systems of the pro game of where to be and making the job easier on yourself."

It looks as if, Korchinski has had some struggles, but he still managed to play 76, games score 15 points( 5 G, 10 A), and made the transition from the juniors to the NHL quite well. While not perfect, the jump isn't always easy.

Korchinski may have some glaring issues in his game, but should he make the best use of his time he should come back a better defenseman, who could be elite in the future.

"(Korchinski) has one of the hardest parts already mastered. It's his skating ability and his hockey sense and vision. That's something, to this day, that I don't even have," Murphy said. "So for him to be at that elite level already, when the rest of his game comes along, he's going to be a stud defenseman in the NHL for a long time."

While this could be considered a demotion by many, it seems just another case of the Blackhawks making sure their prospects get the proper development they need. And because of the archaic rules, he wasn't able to be sent down to the AHL last season, perhaps something that needs to be addressed in the next CBA?

Source: The Hockey News
Murphy Felt "Partially Responsible" After Korchinski Didn't Make Blackhawks