Prospect Info: Sam Rinzel D Chaska High School-Minnesota 25th overall

[Hawkaholic]

Look, I am happy that EDM has played well during this call up. But the idea that he and his 25 NHL games makes KK expandable is ridiculous. As I have said, if someone is willing to give a similar upside forward prospect that is knocking on the door and fits what we are trying to do, then great. It’s just weird to me the sense of urgency some of you have to trade KK. If all our young D continue to play well at the NHL level, that is a good problem to have and will allow us to get more value if/when we have to trade one.

I dont think KK is expendable, but if the right deal comes up and you have to deal him to make it, you can do it. If the other team prefers EDM instead of KK (which I doubt) you do that instead.

 

[Chelios]

I dont think KK is expendable, but if the right deal comes up and you have to deal him to make it, you can do it. If the other team prefers EDM instead of KK (which I doubt) you do that instead.

Then we agree, and I don't have any issue with your stance. Where I take issue is with people who are in this huge rush to trade a 20 year old defenceman who has shown real growth this year in the AHL.

 

[Putt Pirate]

I would prefer to wait on KK if possible. If a banger of a trade comes in then of course it is KD's job to consider it. But we are going to have many picks the next 2-3 drafts which we could also trade for prospects that are ready (except for next years). And our own prospects that will have nowhere to go. Soon we will be able to make some trades for NHL ready players is my guess.

 

[BobbyJet]

He's 20 and does Forsling ring any bells!?

Yes. I did say he's young ..... but honestly, do you see a better KK now than when he was first here? If it's there it isn't very apparent to me.

TBH, he looks more like a scrawny and skilled forward trying to play defense.

 

[BobbyJet]

I would prefer to wait on KK if possible. If a banger of a trade comes in then of course it is KD's job to consider it. But we are going to have many picks the next 2-3 drafts which we could also trade for prospects that are ready (except for next years). And our own prospects that will have nowhere to go. Soon we will be able to make some trades for NHL ready players is my guess.

Good point. I certainly wouldn't like to trade away KK unless a great deal is presented.

 

[BHawks77]

Yes. I did say he's young ..... but honestly, do you see a better KK now than when he was first here? If it's there it isn't very apparent to me.

TBH, he looks more like a scrawny and skilled forward trying to play defense.

Yes I think KK is better that last year, he is better defensively and that was his weaknees last year.

 

[featherhawk]

Yes I think KK is better that last year, he is better defensively and that was his weaknees last year.

agreed, the coaching staff have indicated same as well

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Korchinski is playing on a NHL team that doesn't get much time playing to his strengths and lots of time playing to his weaknesses. He's a monster in transition but we don't play a skill game in the offensive zone so I get why he seems so tentative.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Korchinski is playing on a NHL team that doesn't get much time playing to his strengths and lots of time playing to his weaknesses. He's a monster in transition but we don't play a skill game in the offensive zone so I get why he seems so tentative.

It's more than that. In Rockford he went from a guy who activated every shift to activating like once a game sometime mid season. IMO they're micro-managing the hell out of him, let him go out there and make mistakes trying to drive offense.

 

[Chelios]

It's more than that. In Rockford he went from a guy who activated every shift to activating like once a game sometime mid season. IMO they're micro-managing the hell out of him, let him go out there and make mistakes trying to drive offense.

I definitely think there is an element of overthinking things, as I am sure it has been drilled into his head about being more responsible defensively. This is why dmen take more time. They have to balance offence/defence in a way that forwards just don't. I think as his defence continues to develop, and becomes more automatic, his offensive game will come back.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Good point. I certainly wouldn't like to trade away KK unless a great deal is presented.

if it gets to or is already at the point where you can only get 50c on the dollar relative to his draft position then just keep him and see his development out, maybe he's the Almora pick of this rebuild and just never pans out

 

[BobbyJet]

Korchinski is playing on a NHL team that doesn't get much time playing to his strengths and lots of time playing to his weaknesses. He's a monster in transition but we don't play a skill game in the offensive zone so I get why he seems so tentative.

Though true, Rinzel has done more in a handful of games then KK has shown in his time in Chicago.
I think when you use the label "monster" about anything he does, it is an exaggeration.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

I definitely think there is an element of overthinking things, as I am sure it has been drilled into his head about being more responsible defensively. This is why dmen take more time. They have to balance offence/defence in a way that forwards just don't. I think as his defence continues to develop, and becomes more automatic, his offensive game will come back.

I'd like to think that but there's a difference between being absent defensively and poor at defending. Korch activating simply creates the first scenario in some instances, the later there is always room for growth in. I'm not sure instilling the grind always means the offense will return, it's hard as hell to make things happen on offense at the NHL level already.

The way the roster & talent pool is right now I want Lev, Rinzel & Korch with the green light every night. We're a minus 1 billion already, we might as well develop their ability to drive offense from the back end as best we can.

These guys were drafted as PPG level Dmen. Meanwhile Bedard will end up around 20 goals in his first two seasons while having the loosest leash in the league in terms of full court responsibility. That back end should be activating all night long unless the plan is either to not score goals or hope we land a bunch of forwards that can do it all on their own.

 

[Malagahawks]

 

[BHawk21]

I think we have a 20 year old Alex Pietrangelo....

 

[WarriorofTime]

I’ve been more cautious on Rinzel than most but I’m starting to be converted

 

[Chuck Testa]

I think we have a 20 year old Alex Pietrangelo....

That's who I find him similar too as well.

The kid is so smooth out there. Looking to be a great draft selection by the Hawks. Selecting KK, Nazar and Rinzel in the same draft seems like the Hawks cooked that year. I'm pretty sure that they didn't have any 1st round selections heading in to the draft that year either, IIRC. Then came out with those 3.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

I think what I love most about Rinzel so far is he just has a style that is going to translate well to winning hockey. Nazar too for that matter.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Disclaimer: I was not on the Levshunov bandwagon before the draft and vociferously pounded the table for Demidov - not just because I thought Demidov was a special player - but also because I thought Levshunov wasn't special enough to go #2 in the draft. My opinion on Levshunov was based on observation - watching MSU games. I saw the skating and offensive skills and instincts but I also saw a disaster in the d-zone and not enough physicality to mitigate some of the defensive miscues.

That said, I've come around quite a bit on Levshunov and now believe he will be a very good NHL d-man - but I believe Rinzel is better. Having said that - Rinzel is also a year ahead of Levshunov is development so it's not quite fair to compare the two at this time.

For as good as Rinzel is now, I think there is a lot of growth possible - both literally and figuratively. The figurative growth will come with experience over the next couple years, but what I'm most excited about is his physical growth. He is still pretty lanky on his 6'4"-6'5" frame which means if he packs on another 10-15 pounds of "man muscle" over the next couple years he could really be something.

 

[Chuck Testa]

Disclaimer: I was not on the Levshunov bandwagon before the draft and vociferously pounded the table for Demidov - not just because I thought Demidov was a special player - but also because I thought Levshunov wasn't special enough to go #2 in the draft. My opinion on Levshunov was based on observation - watching MSU games. I saw the skating and offensive skills and instincts but I also saw a disaster in the d-zone and not enough physicality to mitigate some of the defensive miscues.

That said, I've come around quite a bit on Levshunov and now believe he will be a very good NHL d-man - but I believe Rinzel is better. Having said that - Rinzel is also a year ahead of Levshunov is development so it's not quite fair to compare the two at this time.

For as good as Rinzel is now, I think there is a lot of growth possible - both literally and figuratively. The figurative growth will come with experience over the next couple years, but what I'm most excited about is his physical growth. He is still pretty lanky on his 6'4"-6'5" frame which means if he packs on another 10-15 pounds of "man muscle" over the next couple years he could really be something.

Yeah Rinzel has some filling out to do - he kinda looks like bird-like at the moment (Dee Reynolds-esque for the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans). But a 6'4-6'5 frame filled out will be an imposing, high skilled force to have on the blue line.

On the back end I'm really liking what I'm seeing in the Hawks pipeline. Now it's time to find a Robin to Bedard's Batman. I'm still not sure if he'll be better served as a center or on the wing in the long run. I think he did really well at the faceoff circle last night. Then again he has nights where I think some defenceman could win draws against him.

Then I remember he's still only a kid. I just hope the losing hasn't discouraged him. Sometimes it seems like he's lacking confidence out there. At times I wish he'd shoot more often. Even if he's just shooting to produce a rebound.

 

[Paul Allen]

Yeah Rinzel has some filling out to do - he kinda looks like bird-like at the moment

His nickname is Big Bird.

 

[giza]

Bedard working on speed in the off season, KK focusing on strength....I can easily see Renzel working on strength....the D line future is so bright, gots to wear shades!

 

[bwana63]

Powers with a feature on Rinzel ($): What I’m hearing, seeing about the Blackhawks: Sam Rinzel’s sudden impact

 

[Malaka]

Powers with a feature on Rinzel ($): What I’m hearing, seeing about the Blackhawks: Sam Rinzel’s sudden impact

Those clips make me feel some type of way. Him Levshunov on the right side for 10-15 years is going to be unbelievably special. May have the best blue line in hockey

 

[CallMeShaft]

I cannot stress how hard it is to find good RHD in this league, especially ones with a good mix of size/skating. Those recent Tampa championship squads, for example, had to settle on guys like Shattenkirk and Rutta to be their best right shot D.

Hawks somehow have two young big RHDs with size and skating who can play 22-25 minutes a night. That 3rd pair RD of the future is certainly going to be well rested anytime he jumps off the bench for a shift.