Blackhawks Kyle Davidson reveals what Kevin Korchinski must do to ever get back into the NHL

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
October 16, 2024 (8:33 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Kevin Korchinski has started the regular season in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs.

The intent is for him to gain more time and experience in the AHL to refine the weaknesses in his game, before making it back into the NHL.

After playing 76 games in the NHL last season, the defenseman scored 15 points( 5 G, 10 A) and played on a pairing with Connor Murphy.

Murphy allowed Korchinski to develop by playing sheltered minutes with a shutdown defenseman like Murphy.

But this season, he wasn't able to make the team, with the influx of veterans like Alec Martinez, and TJ Brodie into the lineup.

Kyle Davidson made a statement about Korchinski's start in the AHL, and how he can improve his situation:

Kyle Davidson telling Scott Powers of The Athletic that the team hopes it'll boost Korchinski's confidence. Davidson acknowledged that the team may have asked too much of the rookie last season, and that building up his confidence will be top priority in the AHL. He told Powers, «You just want him to get that confidence back that he had in junior, and that's going to take time, especially at the pro level.» IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen agreed with Davidson, adding that he's encouraging Korchinski to drive the puck downhill and challenge opposing forwards more. The 20-year-old defender certainly showed that ability with his inaugural AHL goal, and could be on a quick route back to the NHL roster once he gains the confidence to do that routinely.

The Blackhawks are prioritizing the skills he had in the WHL, and building his confidence in the AHL, so he can continue to develop his two-way game.

IceHogs coach Anders Sorenson has been giving Korchinski assignments to get better at covering the opposing team's forwards more, so he can develop a better defensive game which was lacking as seen in the preseason games.

So, before the Blackhawks decide to bring up Kevin Korchinski in the NHL once more, he'll have to develop his confidence, and not be afraid to cover his opponents more.

His offensive skills were on display in the AHL, with a coast-to-coast goal which was impressive by any means.

But the Blackhawks need a defenseman who can be a two-way threat, and Korchinski could develop into a threat that he was in the WHL if he spends his time in the AHL correctly.

Korchsinki's last season in the WHL saw him post 73 points( 11 G, 62 A) in 54 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds.