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Connor Murphy, Chicago Blackhawks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Chicago Blackhawks 2024-25 Player Grades: Defense

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Brooke LoFurno | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 1:39 PM ET

With the Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2024-25 season having come to a close, it’s time for player grades, and this edition will focus on the defense.

The Blackhawks’ defense was the second-worst in the NHL, allowing 3.56 goals against per game. However, the blue line also showed a lot of promise as more prospects joined the team during the second half and made an impression. Here is how they fared.

Kevin Korchinski

1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and was a minus-5 in 16 games. ATOI (Average Time on Ice): 17:05. 2 hits, 4 takeaways, 14 giveaways, and 14 blocked shots

Korchinski was streaky in the NHL this season. He spent most of his time with the Rockford IceHogs, and his 16 games with the Blackhawks had their bumps, but still showed encouraging signs. He remains a great skater with offensive instincts, even if his defense still needs some polishing. As general manager Kyle Davidson mentioned in his exit interviews, “We believe in Kevin a ton.”

Korchinski mentioned that he would be working on his strength this summer, and with his positive strides in Rockford, including his upcoming stint in the AHL playoffs, I think the 20-year-old will continue to grow even more next season.

Final Grade: C

Nolan Allan

1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and was a minus-13 in 43 games. ATOI: 15:08. 61 hits, 8 takeaways, 22 giveaways, and 48 blocked shots

If there were a more defensive defenseman in prospect form than Connor Murphy on the Blackhawks, it would be Nolan Allan. Not flashy or a huge point producer, but effective. Head coach Anders Sorensen said, “He kind of knows what he is. I hate to make a comparison, but he’s got Niklas Hjalmarsson-type qualities in his game, and obviously we know how that looked for years and years. But he has some of those traits in his game, so that should be a really good fit for some of these other guys.”

He was sent to Rockford in February when Wyatt Kaiser was recalled, but he held his own in half a season. He was even named in NHL.com’s Midseason Rookie All-Star Team. He will likely still be in consideration for the Blackhawks next season.

Final Grade: B-

Wyatt Kaiser

4 goals, 4 assists, 8 points, and was even in 57 games. ATOI: 18:07. 23 takeaways, 60 giveaways, 54 hits, and 93 blocked shots

Speaking of Wyatt Kaiser, from going to one of the most inconsistent defensemen to one of the steadiest defensemen on the team, his transformation from the first half of the season to the second half of the season was excellent.

Sorensen always noted that Kaiser’s ability to use his feet to defend was a strength of his, and he continues to be impressed by his development in that area. He has been a pleasant surprise after more stints with Rockford and has improved with each one. He was also one of two defensemen on the team who were not “minus,” which says a lot for a team that had only four players who were not “minuses.” Kaiser is a restricted free agent this summer, and it’s unknown where his future lies, but either way, it was nice to see.

Final Grade: B

Louis Crevier

3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, and was a minus-6 in 32 games. ATOI: 17:17. 4 takeaways, 30 giveaways, 70 hits, and 49 blocked shots

“Big Lou”, or “Sweet Lou,” however you may refer to Louis Crevier, seemed to make an impression on the coaching staff, especially in January when he was holding his own, scoring his first two NHL goals, and playing top minutes. Sorensen even commended his positioning, range, and predictability.

However, he dealt with a concussion in February, and toward the end of the season, he was more on the outside (played 9 of the last 22 games), especially after Korchinski, Kaiser, and Artyom Levshunov joined the team. The 6-foot-8 defenseman is undoubtedly unique, but the one thing that keeps getting mentioned is that he will likely need to establish a more physical game. He is a restricted free agent this summer, so his future in Chicago is up in the air.

Final Grade: C

Connor Murphy

2 goals, 17 assists, 19 points, and was a minus-2 in 68 games. ATOI: 20:37. 17 takeaways, 64 giveaways, 117 hits, and 160 blocked shots

In his eighth season with the Blackhawks, Connor Murphy had one of his best statistical seasons of his career. He hit a career high in assists (19) and tied his career-high in points (19), while leading the team in blocked shots, and was second-best in hits.

Despite missing nearly a month due to a recurring groin injury (osteitis pubis), he said in his exit interview that he feels good, and hopefully that remains. At 32 years old, he might not be the “guy,” and he’s not perfect, but he was adequate, and that’s all the Blackhawks expect from the respected veteran.

Final Grade: C+

Alec Martinez

5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, and was a minus-15 in 44 games. ATOI: 18:44. 9 takeaways, 41 giveaways, 24 hits, and 81 blocked shots

The 37-year-old veteran had a tough go for his final NHL season. He dealt with a few significant injuries, but nonetheless, I believe he was as advertised. He was past his prime, having won three Stanley Cups, but he brought a veteran presence to the defense. For the most part, he was fine. He didn’t make egregious blunders, and he seemed to become a locker room fan favorite as well, with Alex Vlasic calling him his best friend on the team.

Final Grade: C

T.J. Brodie

2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, and was a minus-18 in 54 games. ATOI: 15:38. 14 takeaways, 46 giveaways, 16 hits, and 58 blocked shots

Where to start with T.J. Brodie? Davidson signed him to a two-year, $7.5 million contract in July, and it was apparent early on that it was not a fit. He found himself more often than not on the wrong side of the puck. The last game he played was March 1, and he was a healthy scratch the rest of the season (22 games).

Despite his struggles, I give him a lot of kudos for continuing to show up to optional skates and being a positive role model. Nick Foligno even named him, alongside Pat Maroon and Martinez, for being selfless and helping the team all year, despite the position Brodie was in. That says a lot. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out, and his tenure with the Blackhawks will likely come to an end this summer via a buyout or trade.

Final Grade: F

Artyom Levshunov

0 goals, 6 assists, 6 points, and was a minus-13 in 18 games. ATOI: 20:19. 4 takeaways, 26 giveaways, 19 hits, and 20 blocked shots

The “Arty Party” arrived in Chicago, as Artyom Levshunov was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs in March, and hasn’t looked back since. He made strides on special teams and in his defensive game. He did make some blunders, as expected, but he also showed why the Blackhawks drafted him second overall, based on his overall body of work. As Davidson said about him in his exit interview, “I think some of the things he does, you can’t teach. You just can’t teach that type of natural talent.” Davidson also mentioned that there are areas in his game where he needs to improve, but they are excited about him.

The Hawks wanted him to force their hand to keep him in the NHL for the rest of the season, rather than sending him back to Rockford early, and he did. There’s a lot to look forward to with him.

Final Grade: B+

Ethan Del Mastro

2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, and was a minus-3 in 24 games. ATOI: 18:19. 6 takeaways, 25 giveaways, 40 hits, and 21 blocked shots

Ethan Del Mastro seemed like a player who really impressed his teammates and the organization. He was very versatile because he could bring versatility. Like Allan, he could play on either side, but Del Mastro was also capable of making strong plays both offensively and defensively. He developed a lot this season. As Sorensen described, “He sees the ice real well.”

He seems like one who will continue to push for a spot in the Blackhawks’ future, and he looks poised to do so.

Final Grade: B

Alex Vlasic

4 goals, 26 assists, 30 points, and was a minus-23 in 82 games. ATOI: 23:16. 53 takeaways, 97 giveaways, 59 hits, and 157 blocked shots

There is so much growth in Vlasic’s game. His breakout season and a six-year contract extension last year gave him even more significance on defense. He led the way as their number one, especially after Seth Jones got traded to the Florida Panthers. He was sixth-best in the NHL in takeaways and second on the team in blocked shots. He also essentially doubled his production from 16 points last season to 30 points.

Alex Vlasic, Chicago Blackhawks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

He went through an adjustment period, and it was mentioned during a pregame press conference that Vlasic noted he felt he wasn’t as consistent as he would have liked to be this season and was also dealing with more fatigue. But Vlasic mentioned working to remedy that.

Despite everything, it was the 23-year-old’s second full NHL season, and while he is still learning, he has lived up to expectations while also serving as a leader for the younger core.

Final Grade: B+

Sam Rinzel

0 goals, 5 assists, 5 points, and was a plus-1 in 9 games. ATOI: 23:22. 2 takeaways, 13 giveaways, 12 shots, and 5 blocked shots

It’s hard to grade players who have played in less than 10 NHL games, but Sam Rinzel has been nothing but impressive since he made his NHL debut at the end of March, coming from the University of Minnesota. He made some mistakes, but he never really had a bad game.

In fact, his responsibility continued to grow, as he was on the first power-play unit. During the Blackhawks’ game against the Montreal Canadiens on April 14, he had the most ice time of any player on the team (26:52 minutes). For a 20-year-old, that’s no small feat. Rinzel said in his exit interview that he was comfortable with that role because it was similar to his role in Minnesota.

Like Vlasic, Rinzel said he would learning how to save energy during games, but even with the way he played with Vlasic, it’s hard not to think of what that pair could be.

Final Grade: A

Overall, even though the Blackhawks’ team defense was unsuccessful, most of the individual players were fine. There is a lot of potential on the blue line, and next season will be huge for their progression.