Gotta See It: Kevin Korchinski Scores First NHL Goal

Anyone thinking he’d go back to the WHL can put that silliness to rest. Chicago Blackhawks rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski notched his first goal of the season on a quick shot that found its way through, banking off a skate and giving quite the memory to his mother on the Mom’s trip.

Kevin Korchinski scores his first career NHL goal in an odd way. It went off the skate of Darren Raddysh in front. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/9EbbQWOOHh

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 10, 2023

The goal evened things at two, and seconds later, the Blackhawks would seize a 3-2 lead.

But Korchinski, who has proven himself to belong on the NHL roster early on in camp, continues to show Blackhawks fans that they be seeing a top pairing defensenman–if not eventually a franchise one–developing before their very eyes.

Korchinski Making the Most of His Time Up

The 19-year-old was often the side story due to the presence of Connor Bedard but he quietly went about his game. Prior to the preseason, I wrote that Korchinski should absolutely be on the opening night roster as there was nothing left for him to prove in junior hockey and that he would have the latitude and freedom to grow on the blue line–without any pressure.

So far, so good. Korchinski now has a goal and three helpers this season and has been looking better with each game. Now, he’s had his lessons–a couple against New Jersey the other night, but it’s a reminder that the youngster is still a teenager.

But what a core the Hawks have with Bedard and Korchinski anchoring arguably two of the most important spots on the ice.

Rookies Shining in Tampa

As of this writing, Korchinski’s goal and Bedard’s two accounted for three quarters of the scoring for the Blackhawks in the first period. Now, there’s still two periods to play, but again, despite being a rebuild, there is an awful lot to like for the future of the Blackhawks.

Kevin Korchinski is showing that yet again.