Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Sam Rinzel

The Minnesota native started the 2025-26 campaign on the top line alongside Alex Vlasic, as well as quarterbacking the top power play unit. It went swimmingly for a while, but then things just seemed to catch up to Rinzel. The 2022 first round draft pick (25^th overall) seemed to lose his confidence, and he started making defensive mistakes and giving up a lot of odd-man rushes. This led to a healthy scratch on Nov. 15 to regroup and watch from above. He then served as the seventh defenseman (the Blackhawks deployed an 11 forward, 7 defensemen lineup at the beginning of the season) until he was sent down to the Rockford IceHogs on Dec. 8. Said head coach Jeff Blashill about the re-assignment,

This a really hard league, if you start to struggle, to kind of gain traction. So go down, get your swagger with the puck back, get put in situations; get time on the power play, more than he was getting here, and get that swagger with the puck, and then continue to improve defensively. Kind of some of the technique of how to defend low.

Blashill further stressed that Rinzel hasn’t filled out his frame yet, so he therefore has to use his brain and play smart instead of getting into physical confrontations with opponents. This involves being aware of his surroundings and sensing danger, in order to make the right play instead of giving up chances against.

Rinzel played 23 games with the IceHogs, registering two goals and 14 points. He returned to the Blackhawks for three contests before the Olympic break and then for the remainder of the season. In this final stretch, the young blueliner was deployed mostly on the second pairing alongside Wyatt Kaiser. He also spent some time manning the point on the second power play unit. Rinzel spoke after a game on Jan. 30 about what he brought back from his time in Rockford.

Just kind of a big part is the defensive aspect of the game. I think part of its realizing that 90% of the game is just 50-50 shifts. And it’s just about winning those 50-50 shifts. So, yeah, nothing has to be flashy or crazy. It’s just learning to play with my brain and to kind of use my brain to beat guys and whatever it may be … I think my defensive game is actually growing a lot, just kind of the awareness side of it, and kind of the D-zone side of it, just not letting pucks get through me.

In 54 games with the Blackhawks, Rinzel’s four goals and 14 points doesn’t seem all that impressive. Especially when he started 64.2% of his zone starts in the offensive zone. But if you include his 14 points with the IceHogs, he logged 28 points in 77 games. For some perspective, that’s three more than Louis Crevier’s 25 points in 78 games, which led all defensemen this past season.

Granted, the AHL is a different animal than the NHL. But this production does show potential towards Rinzel’s progression as an offensive defenseman. He ended things on a high note, potting this goal in the last game of the season against the San Jose Sharks.

Add in Rinzel’s strides defensively, and it was a solid rookie season for the 21-year-old (he’ll be 22 on June 25). Blackhawks’ fans might’ve had higher hopes for Rinzel after his impressive start to his NHL career. But development is rarely linear, especially with defensemen. There’s still a lot to be excited about regarding Rinzel’s trajectory.  

Quotable Quote

Coach Blashill’s assessment of Rinzel’s play on Mar. 9 ahead of a game versus the Utah Mammoth:

I think when Sam’s playing his best, he’s a really good breakout passer, gets you up the ice, joining the play. That’s when he’s playing his best. I think he’s done a good job of that since he’s been back (from Rockford). I think he’s managed it well, not taking some of the unneeded risk I thought he took before he got sent down. But yet still making plays. We talk, as you guys know, all the time about making a play and living another day, and I think he’s managed that piece of the game well.

He’s a guy who, what’s going to separate him in this league is his ability to skate and move the puck, and he’s done a real good job of utilizing those, those powers that he has.

Rinzel’s Final Grade: B

Rinzel faltered a bit this season, but he definitely showed promise. It will be important for him to gain more size and strength in the offseason to fill out his frame. Hopefully he can be more consistent in his sophomore campaign, and establish himself as a responsible defenseman who can also make an impact offensively.