Even In a Blackhawks Loss, The Growth of Kevin Korchinski Continues

The Blackhawks lost, yes. But as written about in yesterday’s preview, it’s the little things game-to-game that will matter most as they are to play their final 30 games. That includes the goal from Kevin Korchinski late in the third period during Chicago’s 4-2 loss to Vancouver.

On the scoresheet it will read as a goal that pulled the Hawks closer in a game that was already determined. But there’s more to that marker beyond it being Korchinski’s third of the season. It shows that the defenseman the Hawks drafted, and hoped they were getting is indeed becoming that very player: the youngster gifted with an offensive instinct that will pay dividends when Chicago is ready to contend.

Blackhawks Invested in Kevin Korchinski From the Start

To some it was dicey whether or not Korchinski should start the year in Chicago. Management was willing to burn a year in his entry deal if it all blew up. But it never did. Instead, Korchinski has gotten stronger as the season has gone on–a trend that has been consistent since his junior days.

So when Korchinski jumped into the play Tuesday night, those offensive instincts kicked into high gear. The speedy 19-year-old was down the ice, and waiting patiently as Ryan Donato dished the puck to him. All Korchinski had to do was tap it in.

If there was one side of his game that would at times be problematic, it was ironically in his own end. Sometimes being too aggressive on the rush and paying for it later with the puck ending up in his team’s net. Even how he answered about it Tuesday night, Korchinski was careful to point out that it’s on the back end he’s needs to pay the most mind to.

But his instincts paid off in the end.

“The main thing is digging in defensively so that, when you get those chances, you get up the ice, you’re not playing in your D-zone,” Korchinski said.  “The main thing I’ve been working on is digging in defensively so that a play where I’m better in the offensive zone or the neutral zone where I can create. But yeah, I’m confident in my abilities and try to go out there and play my game.”

It was just two months ago that head coach Luke Richardson was mentioning that the staff would like to see him take more advantage of those chances.

“It’d be great to add (it) in once a period or maybe twice a period, if it presents itself like it did there, and not be so eager to pass off and bail out of there,” Richardson said of chances Korchinski had against Anaheim in Chicago’s 1-0 victory December 7th.  “He’s been shooting the puck better the last few games as well. Maybe not as many tonight. But we want that out of him.”

They got it on Tuesday–and they’ll like be getting more of it once the team’s talent level catches up. While struggles will be inevitable, anyone watching can see Kevin Korchinski is the real deal.

And he’ll be another foundational piece Chicago continues to build around.