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Artyom Levshunov, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Blackhawks Defense Competition Makes For Tough Upcoming Choices

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Brooke LoFurno | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 2:20 PM ET

Isn’t it funny how fast things change? Ever since the Chicago Blackhawks‘ dynasty ended, they have tried to rebuild their defense (and their entire team!), and for a while, the future of their defense looked bleak.

General manager Kyle Davidson and co. have spent the past three years aggressively trying to build the defense. Starting with Kevin Korchinski and Sam Rinzel in 2022 and, most recently, drafting Artyom Levshunov second overall.

Now, the Blackhawks have a conundrum- many of their defense prospects are making a case to be a part of the future. A healthy competition, as head coach Anders Sorensen described. But with limited spots, how will things unfold?

Here is how they’re developing.

Louis Crevier

When Seth Jones went down with a foot injury in November, Louis Crevier got an extended look. He was a steady presence with the Rockford IceHogs, and he did well over the winter for the Blackhawks, especially in January, when he had three points in a five-game span. He was also relied on defensively. He has been placed everywhere, being a third pair with T.J. Brodie or being a top pair with Alex Vlasic.

However, Crevier has been on the outside since the Blackhawks recalled Korchinski and Levshunov from Rockford and Rinzel coming from the University of Minnesota in March. He has been a healthy scratch for six of their last seven games. Sorensen said before that he trusted Crevier this season, and he is one of their biggest defensemen (6-foot-8), but just that trait alone might not be enough for the Blackhawks to keep him around if they feel he is being outplayed. He has four points in 31 games.

Wyatt Kaiser

It’s been an up-and-down tenure for Wyatt Kaiser, literally and figuratively. He has had two stints with the Rockford IceHogs this season but has been a regular on the defense since February. The thing with Kaiser is that he has steadily gotten better from every Rockford recall, even dating back to last season.

He scored his first NHL goal in March and has been a stand-out player.

Kaiser told Scott Powers of The Athletic about his surge, “I’d say I’m just skating again like I can instead of me trying to do things … just a lot of different voices. Kind of getting back to my game where it’s skating, making plays, controlling the puck.” (from ‘How Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser’s game has taken off lately- The Athletic – 03/22/2025).

There was some mystery surrounding Kasier, but he has proven steady in the second half. He has been strong defensively and has started to find some offense, with eight points in 54 games this season.

Ethan Del Mastro

Ethan Del Mastro has been intriguing. He made his NHL debut last season, and he seemed like he could be something at the NHL level. The Blackhawks recalled him from Rockford in February, and he has impressed head coach Anders Sorensen ever since. Sorensen said last month, “He’s willing to absorb a hit, hang onto it, spin off and make a play out of it. He sees the ice real well. [And he makes] a lot of stops defensively.”

I agree with that assessment. Del Mastro does see the ice well. Remember that stretch pass he made to Ryan Donato on March 28 against the Vegas Golden Knights? He has versatility in his game because he can play the right side as a lefty and do a little bit of everything, which has made him such a bonus to the defense. He has six points in 28 games. Del Mastro was just sent to Rockford for their playoff push, which also signals Alec Martinez could return from his hip injury. Alas, he has impressed.

Artyom Levshunov

After the Blackhawks recalled Levshunov from Rockford in early March, the team wanted him to decide his fate. If he played well, they would keep him, and if he looked like he was struggling, then they would send him back down. However, he has given Chicago no reason to rush sending him back to the AHL.

He looks like the defenseman the team drafted him to be. He can jump in off the rush, make the big defensive play, play a significant role on special teams, and so on. He has five points in 14 games, and it’s exciting to think of what his point totals could look like in the future. He caught the attention of his teammates, like Alex Vlasic, “I mean, right away you saw his ability to come in and play in Colorado against a really good team. It’s not easy to do that. Going down to five D, (he) played some big minutes. He was big for us on that back end there. A lot of skill with the puck, a lot of confidence. He’s a big, strong guy so that kind of stood out.”

He’s had some bumps, as expected. Sorensen explained he wants him to improve his reactions to transition. But he is gaining valuable experience, averaging 20 minutes a game, and should get even better over time.

Sam Rinzel

Sam Rinzel. That’s it. He has only played in six games coming from the University of Minnesota, but he has been impressive. He slotted right into the lineup, and based on the eye test, he hasn’t looked out of place. There is a smoothness to his game. He is a great skater, and he has a great stick that has broken up some plays. He has also created a lot. He has 12 shots on goal, and according to Natural Stat Trick, he has 26 shot attempts. He is also averaging over 22 minutes a game, playing both power play and penalty kill.

Rinzel talked about improving on the “all around details” of his game while with the Gophers, and those little things stand out when you watch him because he has the right instincts. The Blackhawks believed in his talent when they drafted him out of high school, and he still has ways to go in his development, but his game has been encouraging. Rinzel is also the only Blackhawks defenseman to be a “plus”, being a plus-2. Granted, it’s only been a few games, but with two assists to boot and playing top minutes, it’s been promising.

Kevin Korchinski

We have to discuss the man of the hour, Kevin Korchinski. He seems to bring up the most debate amongst Blackhawks fans, because the former seventh-overall pick seems like he might be falling behind. But, is he really?

Korchinski started the season in Rockford and was first recalled in the beginning of December. In his first game back against the New York Rangers, Sorensen called him “unbelievable“. He was moving his feet and made a significant play to stop Artemi Panarin. Fast forward four months later, he has been hot and cold. He is still a great skater with great offensive instincts, but just like his rookie season, the Blackhawks want him to tighten up on his defense. Chicago’s game against the Boston Bruins on April 10 was an example. He scored a big goal to put his team up 4-1, but also had a turnover to Morgan Geekie that led to a Bruins’ goal, 4-2.

With all these defensemen making strides, some wonder if Korchinski could be the odd man out or a trade candidate. His situation is tricky because his development has been different. He was forced to play a full NHL season last year because of his age and was ineligible to start with Rockford. But, as they say, defensemen develop at different speeds. Furthermore, he is 20 years old and in his second pro season. The Hawks have made mistakes in the past, giving up on defensemen too early, and surely, no hasty decisions will be made with their prospects.

Kevin Korchinski was called up to the Chicago Blackhawks in December, and showed substantial improvement from last season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The coaching staff wants to see improvements, but the evaluation process is still raw. My two cents is that Korchinski is simply developing. It’s not always pretty. He knows he has to get stronger this summer, but his talent still makes him a very good prospect for Chicago to have.

Nolan Allan is still a part of this equation too, as he started the season in Chicago, but is now in Rockford. He is sixth-best amongst rookie defensemen with eight points in 43 games. The Hawks were happy with him early on, and he is a different talent in their pool, being more of a defensive defenseman. So, he is also worth assessing.

The Blackhawks have an interesting summer to evaluate how they want their defense to look. Kaiser and Crevier are the restricted free agents of this group, and with everyone under contract next season and Alex Vlasic and Connor Murphy being staples, it makes for too many cooks in the kitchen, especially not knowing who they could add in free agency. With everyone making a deserving case, competition will reign large, and tough choices will be made.

Overall, having plenty of promising defensemen all under 24 years old is a very good problem to have.