Blackhawks Make Crucial Decision on Their Top Prospect.

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
October 25, 2023 (11:58)

SHARE THIS STORY

There's always a degree of risk when an NHL organization decides to keep an NHL prospect on the main roster rather than allowing them to play, either back in their junior league or with their AHL club, depending on their age.

There are several factors that teams need to consider when deciding this. One factor is the state of the team and whether it would be beneficial for the prospect to remain with the club or return to junior hockey, where they can play more minutes, develop their game, and mature physically.

The second factor to consider is whether the team is poised to win or if they are in a rebuilding phase. Teams choosing the latter option would be better off keeping the prospect in their minor league for at least one more year to protect their asset and preserve their entry-level contract, preventing the loss of a contract year.

It appears that the Chicago Blackhawks have decided to keep Kevin Korchinski with the main club for the upcoming season. Head coach Luke Richardson was asked whether Korchinski would remain with the team, and his response was clear.

«He likes to absorb information, and he's open and receptive to it, applying it to his game,» Richardson said. «To me, that's a sign of a good professional.»
«It seems like, as long as his progression continues at this rate, we'll keep going with him here.»

The general rule is that if a player surpasses 10 games in the NHL while on an entry-level contract, they will burn one year of the deal, bringing them a year closer to free agency. The 19-year-old defenseman has registered two assists in the first six games of this new season.

The fact that Korchinski is making a name for himself now and that the Blackhawks are willing to keep him with the team and develop him at the main level, could either backfire or work wonders for the up-and-coming NHL organization.

The only concern is that the Blackhawks will likely remain a lottery-pick team for at least another season as general manager Kyle Davidson continues to rebuild the roster, and the Blackhawks may not secure a playoff spot for some time.

Losing can have a detrimental effect on a young player, especially if they experience consecutive losing seasons. In such a case, it could hinder their development and make them consider other options when free agency comes around.

However, at this time, the Blackhawks will assess what he can contribute and potentially make a case for a long-term contract shortly.