Blackhawks' Kevin Korchinski the next piece off the board?

The Chicago Blackhawks weren't that active during the trade deadline. Instead of moving off key pieces, they traded veterans like Nick Foligno (to the Minnesota Wild), Jason Dickinson (to the Edmonton Oilers), plus two prospects: Aidan Thompson and Colton Dach.

However, when we turn to other players languishing in AHL Rockford, we notice that Kevin Korchinski is one prospect who had a cup of coffee in the NHL but hasn't been able to break through since.

Korchinski has played 95 games as a Blackhawk, with the team deciding against sending him back to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL during his age-19 season in 2023-24, where he'd play 76 games as a rookie defenseman.

Selected 7th overall in 2022, it was speculated that he'd grow into a superstar defenseman, but his game fell by the wayside as he has plenty of potential to tap into, but his defensive game needs work.

He's managed to make some highlight reel plays in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs and earned an All-Star nomination in Jan. 2025.

KEVIN KORCHINSKI COAST TO COAST✈️@goicehogs | #GRvsRFD pic.twitter.com/Kgt3Syq0mX
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) October 13, 2024

But has yet to make the jump back into the NHL, due to the Blackhawks' deep blueline, he may be the odd-man out in Chicago.

Will he be the next to go in July?

Will General Manager Kyle Davidson Trade Kevin Korchinski?

At this moment in time, it's purely speculation as the Blackhawks continue to hold his rights as a pending restricted free agent (RFA) in July.

His contract expires at the end of this season, and the team will have to consider where he is in the depth chart and whether or not he deserves a fresh start to continue to develop elsewhere. As an AHL All-Star, his reputation isn't blemished, but there could be a debate about the team rushing him into the NHL too soon, because he wasn't old enough to be sent to the minors as a result of league rules.

This error will be GM Kyle Davidson's to own, and he'll have to find a way to make it right for the team and Korchinski's future.

It's difficult to discern what's next for the Blackhawks in July, but as a pending RFA and a clogged blueline, it might be beneficial for both parties to part ways and to let Korchinski develop on a team that needs to rebuild its pipeline.

Since he remains under team control, the value of his contract could be high, but for now, this is all speculation, as Kyle Davidson was quoted in The Athletic.

I think it’s just we need to get Kevin minutes and keep getting him minutes, because we have seen some really nice strides, and we want to keep that positive momentum going into the offseason. But we’re big fans of Kevin. He’s got a ton of upside, a ton of ability. … Again, going to Rockford isn’t a punishment. It’s an opportunity to keep growing your game and be ready when the opportunity arises.

The Blackhawks and Korchinski's future remains opaque at this time, but given the breadth of talent in the team's pipeline, it wouldn't be surprising if he is traded in July.