RD Sam Rinzel (2022, 25th, CHI)

[HawksDub89]

He might actually be the Hawks #1 of the future. And I love Levshunov and Vlasic. Could this play out like it has with a couple of other Gopher blueliners?

- Faber was a good prospect for sure when he got dealt but he defied that “safe floor” stereotype and was basically an insta-#1 defenseman in the NHL.

- Mintyukov, Zellweger and Luneau had a ton more hype but this year it was LaCombe who actually became the real #1 for that Ducks team.

Certainly a possibility he ends up our 1D, but Levshunov is almost two years younger. I thought Arty played really well tonight.

But yeah, Rinzel is so clearly this teams most complete D right now. And it’s crazy how much room he has to fill out still.

 

[HawksDub89]

Calder 2026

He won’t win it, but he’ll definitely be a contender.

(I can’t fathom Demidov not winning it)

 

[Mrfenn92]

Hawks probably take Demidov too if they knew what they had in this kid.

They tried to get him number 4

 

[HawksDub89]

Hawks probably take Demidov too if they knew what they had in this kid.

In hindsight probably. But having two great RHD is a nice luxury too.

 

[Mrfenn92]

In hindsight probably. But having two great RHD is a nice luxury too.

50 minutes a night nice (potentially)

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Hawks probably take Demidov too if they knew what they had in this kid.

this was talked about a little bit in the Hawks gdt - it would be interesting to know if they would've went Demidov at 2 and tried to trade up for Levshunov at 4 or 5 instead of doing what they did which was Lev at 2 and try to trade up for Demidov at 4 and 5

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

They tried to get him number 4

They should’ve tried at number 2 though.

 

[Mrfenn92]

They should’ve tried at number 2 though.

Leshunov is pretty damn good my man. And I wanted Demidov myself

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

In hindsight probably. But having two great RHD is a nice luxury too.

Forsure I think the d core is coming together nicely but they really need one or two more elite level forwards.

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

Leshunov is pretty damn good my man. And I wanted Demidov myself

I’m not all there with Levshunov personally but I do agree he’ll be a good top 4 d man for a long time.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Forsure I think the d core is coming together nicely but they really need one or two more elite level forwards.

No doubt. They also need to get lucky/hit on a mid round pick that becomes a top 6 guy

 

[Mrfenn92]

I’m not all there with Levshunov personally but I do agree he’ll be a good top 4 d man for a long time.

I hope they all become good players. Know it’s not gonna happen I enjoy watching talented players do their thing.

 

[Jared Dunn]

this was talked about a little bit in the Hawks gdt - it would be interesting to know if they would've went Demidov at 2 and tried to trade up for Levshunov at 4 or 5 instead of doing what they did which was Lev at 2 and try to trade up for Demidov at 4 and 5

No chance Levshunov would have slipped by the Ducks

 

[Toews2Bickell]

No chance Levshunov would have slipped by the Ducks

thats what others have said on hawks board when discussing this hypothetical

 

[WarriorofTime]

No chance Levshunov would have slipped by the Ducks

Everyone thought that ducks were a lock to take Buium. Their sennecke was out of left field. Who knows.

 

[Wats]

Man didn't realize how huge the kid is until watching him play last night.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Demidov was and still is the 2nd best player from that 2024 draft. But Levshunov is close. Was close at the draft, and he's already playing a lot of minutes in just his D+1 season. Hard to imagine that kid was playing in Belarus of all places just 3 years ago.

Having said that, as Mrfenn mentioned on this page, having one of Levshunov/Rinzel on the ice for 50 minutes a night is one hell of a luxury. Hawks just need to work on the forward core.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Demidov was and still is the 2nd best player from that 2024 draft. But Levshunov is close. Was close at the draft, and he's already playing a lot of minutes in just his D+1 season. Hard to imagine that kid was playing in Belarus of all places just 3 years ago.

Having said that, as Mrfenn mentioned on this page, having one of Levshunov/Rinzel on the ice for 50 minutes a night is one hell of a luxury. Hawks just need to work on the forward core.

You @ me

 

[mphmiles]

View attachment 1013017

Chicago's coaching staff watched him for about 2 days and immediately decided he was getting the tough matchups on the team. That says something.

Following up on this: He played over 9 minutes 5v5 against the Suzuki-Caufield line tonight. (And had a positive xGF%) Next closest opposition forward was Gallagher at 5:31.

For whatever it's worth, Chicago's staff already gave the keys to the blue line to a rookie playing his 8th game.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Sam Rinzel may be one of those rare defensemen that never sees one minute in the AHL.

 

[CallMeShaft]

You @ me

NO!

@Mrfenn92

 

[SimpleJack]

Forsure I think the d core is coming together nicely but they really need one or two more elite level forwards.

They’re gonna draft someone like Misa/Hagens this summer plus another lottery pick(no way they aren’t still in the lottery discussion next season) in 2026 that can be used on a F plus all their cap space and $$ freed up to spend on guys like Marner/Ehlers. Or whoever else is available next summer in FA. It’s still so early in their rebuild, plus Nazar is already looking better than expected. I’d say 2-3 years from now Bedard will have plenty of help at forward.

 

[wetcoast]

this was talked about a little bit in the Hawks gdt - it would be interesting to know if they would've went Demidov at 2 and tried to trade up for Levshunov at 4 or 5 instead of doing what they did which was Lev at 2 and try to trade up for Demidov at 4 and 5

I was always on board with the Hawks needing to take Demidov at 2 last year and if they had Schaefer might be there but they didn't and probably won't take Schaefer and he will land on San Jose most likely and be an absolute stud there.

Rinzel is going to be a very good NHL Dman for a very long time.

 

[Nazzz]

Vlasic - Rinzel
Del Mastro - Levshunov

a lock group, Schaefer would be fun in chicago but also overkill. Now they'll land Misa and will look Roobroeck in 2026.

 

[HawksDub89]

They’re gonna draft someone like Misa/Hagens this summer plus another lottery pick(no way they aren’t still in the lottery discussion next season) in 2026 that can be used on a F plus all their cap space and $$ freed up to spend on guys like Marner/Ehlers. Or whoever else is available next summer in FA. It’s still so early in their rebuild, plus Nazar is already looking better than expected. I’d say 2-3 years from now Bedard will have plenty of help at forward.

I think this is what’s most annoying about the Demidov/Arty debate. People acting as if Demidov was the last chance for Chicago to EVER get a top line talent to play with Bedard.

They will be picking top 10 for 2025/2026, plus free agency and trades.