While the top lines of the Blackhawks’ forward group are mostly set in stone, the defensive depth chart is much more murky. Much of that can be attributed to Kevin Korchinski, as it’s still unclear whether he’ll end up with the NHL club or back in the WHL. Even on the top line, which we discussed Monday, Wyatt Kaiser is far from having his spot secured on the left side.
So let me place a massive disclaimer on today’s highlight - no one knows who will play on the Blackhawks’ second defensive line this year. However, one pairing in particular could work well together, at least in their best-case scenario.
Kevin Korchinski
In the 13 days remaining before the Blackhawks head to Pittsburgh to kick off the regular season, the biggest storyline to watch will be the decision on Kevin Korchinski. The 19-year-old is too young to qualify for the AHL, so the team’s coaching staff has a tough decision on their hands. Has the former seventh-overall pick earned the right to play in the NHL this year? And is it what’s best for both his development and the team’s? It’s clear he’s an uber-talented defenseman, but he’s shown a bit of hesitation and poor decision-making at times this preseason. On the other hand, does the WHL have anything else to offer his development? He appeared to be on another level last season, and another year may not do much good.
If Korchinski is brought to the NHL, playing on a second line with Connor Murphy could yield massive rewards for the Blackhawks. As the longest-tenured Blackhawk currently on the team, Murphy is seen as one of the team’s leaders on the ice and in the locker room. Murphy is a stout defenseman, which pairs well with Korchinski’s great offensive game.
Connor Murphy
The 10-year veteran enters his seventh season with the Blackhawks near the top of his game. Murphy won’t be much help on offense this year, but he plays with defensive positioning that matches his veteran experience. He’s a physical, quick skater who’s a great asset to a team holding a lead, which the Blackhawks will look to utilize more often this year.
Murphy’s defensive game could be a perfect match for Korchinski’s offensive prowess. The latter excels at driving the puck up the middle of the ice and setting up his teammates in the offensive zone, which is great, but can often get caught over-attacking. Murphy could do a great job of covering for him defensively, matching up with dangerous opposing scorers with ease.
Though Korchinski and Murphy pairing up on the second line is far from guaranteed, the two could work well together as an important tandem in the Blackhawks’ defensive ranks. In this line’s best-case scenario, the two could become a great offensive-defensive double-edged sword.
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