Prospect Info: Kevin Korchinski, 7th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft

[ClydeLee]

What can he learn in Seattle that he cannot learn in Chicago? So no, I do not agree that Korchinski should be in Seattle.

That's not at all what he's saying, he saying sent to the AHL, like next season.

But he absolutely could of learned and grown more in the WHL this year.

People saying how he's not taking charge, using his shots, controlling a PP strong. He's 19, no 19 year Dmen basically ever do that. But he also did not do that in Seattle the last 2 years. He was great, but still more a facilitator type. He used his skating as a threat, but he wasn't a take charge guy.

He had an opportunity this year to be more commanding, work to use his shot better, use that skating, ad be a force his team plus team Canada. He still had room to grow in the WHL to be that way. It's much tougher to do that in the NHL if you didn't even do it as a prospect.

 

[ello]

That's not at all what he's saying, he saying sent to the AHL, like next season.

But he absolutely could of learned and grown more in the WHL this year.

People saying how he's not taking charge, using his shots, controlling a PP strong. He's 19, no 19 year Dmen basically ever do that. But he also did not do that in Seattle the last 2 years. He was great, but still more a facilitator type. He used his skating as a threat, but he wasn't a take charge guy.

He had an opportunity this year to be more commanding, work to use his shot better, use that skating, ad be a force his team plus team Canada. He still had room to grow in the WHL to be that way. It's much tougher to do that in the NHL if you didn't even do it as a prospect.

Yeah I don't love that he's barely getting any meaningful PP time in such a crucial developmental year. Not that he should be on PP1 over Jones, hes not there yet but can't be optimal for someone who's whos an offensively oriented dman to have so few offensive touches

 

[clydesdale line]

Korchinski has had a few assists taken away from him just like last night where he started the Entwistle goal but the puck glanced off Donato's stick and he didn't get the secondary.

People are spoiled on what Bedard is doing. That is a special level of talent. Not to mention Richardson doesn't have Korchinski play much with Bedard on the ice because of the kids being pinned in their own zone (he usually has Vlasic and Jones out there).

 

[TLEH]

Its not even about his counting stats. Its about putting a 19 year old defenseman in the NHL on a terrible team and the possibility that it affects his growth.

I would say he's been a bit unlucky actually with his counting stats.

 

[ello]

I just don't understand why you take the risk of stunting his development and him losing his offensive swagger on one of the worst teams in Blackhawks history. We suck this year and he's not exactly surrounded by a bunch of great dmen role models. He's not even getting any pp time with Bedard. It's not as if we're in win now mode and need his contributions. Go back to the dub and work on those offensive and transition skills that are going to make him millions of dollars one day in an environment where he's going to play 26+ minutes a night, all situations and maybe get traded to a contender. And frankly he was still a relatively flawed junior dman last year.

Either way it hopefully should be fine. If he was always going to become a top 4/top 2 dman this likely wont change that fact but it seems like a risk not worth taking and feels like KD wants to prove himself to a certain extent.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Furthering my argument that we need to make some short term signings next year if possible to get these kids some NHL talent to play with. I wouldn’t look too much into a 19yo’s first season as a NHL Dman though. Very cerebral position so let’s just be grateful he’s looked as good as he has so far.

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

I like Korchinski and think he has started to show more growth especially in some small area plays on the boards. Just short passes that start a rush. He probably deserves a few more points but Rockford is obviously the best place for him right now even though that’s not an option

 

[ChiHawks10]

I like Korchinski and think he has started to show more growth especially in some small area plays on the boards. Just short passes that start a rush. He probably deserves a few more points but Rockford is obviously the best place for him right now even though that’s not an option

He has gotten pretty damn good defensively, too. At least in comparison to the start of the season. To me, he's probably been the team's 2nd best defender. I think he needs to be a little more physical and assertive, but that will come with confidence and some muscle mass. I think the offense comes naturally as he gets more confident and comfortable in the NHL, also.

 

[hawksfan50]

One of things separating NHL star dmen on Offense is scoringon their shots...KK was always a lot more assists (passing acumen) that a goal scoring threat from his shot for Seattlebin Juniors..I do not think this is a skilk you can develop...either you beat goalies from the point or off your own rushes OR you cannot..He never showed that in Juniors so I doubt greatly if he ever can get that weapon in the NHL.

What he had was skatibg and passing..But passing to finisher forwards is one thing..On the Hawks there are very few who are or can develipinto (Bedard...we hope) top NHL goal scoreers..
It seems it will take a long time to draft or trade for such top level finishers..

Thus KK is not likely to meet ceiling expectations foisted on him as a 7th overall pick.

What can (we hope) be developed is better defensive effectiveness (tgevokdcadage that you can teach defense but offense must come naturally).Playing NHL goes and gaining experience ce SHOULD improve a 19 year old's defensive awareness and cut down on positional mistakes.. Adding strength as he matures also should improve wining more puck battles.
You expect alk of that improves with time so that an effective defensive ceiling that is tolerable at least is there by age 22-23...

However so far we have seen little of any SPECIAL passing ability...partly because hemmed in own zone with little help from poor defending forwards limits offensive attack opportunities...The hope is that as Hawks add better forward talent that Kk's passing acumen that he showed in Juniors rises to enhance his attack effectiveness and confidence to try attacking more.Hooefulky.

However ...because he lacksxa special shot that beats goakiesx,He is not going to ever be thestar dman of hyped ceiling so many were enthused about when we drafted him.
If he can at least improve defensively then he coukd be at best an semi-effective 2LD ...ifvhe does not get to even that ceiling he becomes another dime a dozen replaceable 3D type or gone out of the NHL completely

You have not seen any greatness from him...but the hope is that by age 22-23 that if he cannot be great at least be a middle-of-the-road 2nd pairing type.Otherwise the pick could be a total fail.

So he may be somewhat useful ...but I doubt he ever becomes a 1st pairng star big points producer on D..

 

[TheFridge]

That's not at all what he's saying, he saying sent to the AHL, like next season.

But he absolutely could of learned and grown more in the WHL this year.

People saying how he's not taking charge, using his shots, controlling a PP strong. He's 19, no 19 year Dmen basically ever do that. But he also did not do that in Seattle the last 2 years. He was great, but still more a facilitator type. He used his skating as a threat, but he wasn't a take charge guy.

He had an opportunity this year to be more commanding, work to use his shot better, use that skating, ad be a force his team plus team Canada. He still had room to grow in the WHL to be that way. It's much tougher to do that in the NHL if you didn't even do it as a prospect.

Yeah keeping Korchinski up all year was a mistake. I don't think there's any other way to look at it. I remember in the off-season with Powers talking about how likely it was that CHI would burn the first year of his deal but I never thought they'd actually keep him up all year. Korchinski was very good last year in Seattle but he wasn't dominant. I don't get why they felt him playing and not producing all year in the NHL was better for his development than going back to Junior and being the guy for whatever team he was on, plus be the guy on the Canadian WJC team. Hockey is so much about building confidence, building momentum and keeping it going. It's tough for any young player to build confidence and momentum on this roster, especially a 19-year-old D.

Edit: this isn't meant to be a shitting on Korchinski post btw. I just don't think the Hawks did him any favours developmentally this year.

 

[Pez68]

Korchinski and Vlasic should have been playing together all season. Instead, he's been stapled to useless assholes, for the most part.

 

[Northernhawk]

Vlasic benefitted from AHL last year, Kaiser is now seeing improvement there
Del Mastro and Allan are growing their pro game similar to Phillips and Crevier

 

[TheFridge]

Korchinski and Vlasic should have been playing together all season. Instead, he's been stapled to useless assholes, for the most part.

Vlasic is very deserving of the minutes he gets. I don't think Korchinski would have been better off with tougher matchups, nor would Vlasic have been better off with weaker matchups. Not to mention they play the same side.

 

[Mrfenn92]

think Kevin has been fine this year personally myself

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

The handling of both Korchinski and Reichel this season has been questionable, I don’t think they have been great by any means but the team hasn’t done them any favors

 

[Pez68]

Vlasic is very deserving of the minutes he gets. I don't think Korchinski would have been better off with tougher matchups, nor would Vlasic have been better off with weaker matchups. Not to mention they play the same side.

What a brain fart. I have no idea why I thought Korchinski was RD. Lol

 

[Giovi]

think Kevin has been fine this year personally myself

All things considered, I agree. But I also can't help but think he might have been better served with another season in the Dub, growing his game.

 

[Mrfenn92]

All things considered, I agree. But I also can't help but think he might have been better served with another season in the Dub, growing his game.

I can agree with that

 

[TLEH]

I personally would have kept him in Seattle this year too. More to do with this team/roster than it does just with him. He is good enough to be here but I'm just thinking more long term.

I think he's been up and down like most 19 year old defenders. Better defender than I expected this year honestly and has shown a great ability to defend his own blue line. Best outlet pass on the team.

 

[Pez68]

I personally would have kept him in Seattle this year too. More to do with this team/roster than it does just with him. He is good enough to be here but I'm just thinking more long term.

I think he's been up and down like most 19 year old defenders. Better defender than I expected this year honestly and has shown a great ability to defend his own blue line. Best outlet pass on the team.

And any evaluation of Korchinski has to take into account who he's been playing with. If he had a legit NHL partner, how much better would he look?

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Korchinski has been fine as a nineteen year old defenseman in the NHL. Think this will be much better for him long-term than coasting through another CHL campaign.

 

[TLEH]

Korchinski has been fine as a nineteen year old defenseman in the NHL. Think this will be much better for him long-term than coasting through another CHL campaign.

Likely better to deal with the adversity at the NHL level, but.. side note; I think Kirby just wasn't that guy mentally; but he wasn't ready to play in the NHL at 18 and I felt like it affected his offensive game. Worried about the same thing with Korchinski, and Korchinski has way less insulation than Kirby had.

And any evaluation of Korchinski has to take into account who he's been playing with. If he had a legit NHL partner, how much better would he look?

He would 100% be better with a veteran RD that could be reliable.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Likely better to deal with the adversity at the NHL level, but.. side note; I think Kirby just wasn't that guy mentally; but he wasn't ready to play in the NHL at 18 and I felt like it affected his offensive game. Worried about the same thing with Korchinski, and Korchinski has way less insulation than Kirby had.


He would 100% be better with a veteran RD that could be reliable.

Kirby wasn't that guy mentally and he's seemingly made of glass. KK is a puck mover without much help defensively and very little forward talent to move the puck up too.

 

[clydesdale line]

Korchinski is also doing this with the loss of his father earlier this season. That kind of loss doesn't just go away. And he's handling the adversity of learning in the best league in the world better than alot of guys twice his age could do. I don't worry about his mentality at all.

 

[hawksfan50]

The hope is that he is still very young..

Maybe if he turns out to be as good as Noah Dobson who ot took till this seadon at age 24 to reach Ponta game status and a +/- over double digits positive (+17)..

He was drafted 12th in 2018
..The Hawks bbadly erred in not taking Dobson and instead took Adam Boqbvist ahead of Dobson at 8th overall.


That really cost us...but you could argue that given how bad zjaels have been that Dobson never would have developed properly if Chicago had drafted him.

But we shall never know how ot might have turned out ..AND to be fair we need to see progress by Korchonski even IF it takes him also tobagec35 to really blossom as a key guy dman capable of a pointva game like Dobson is now.