3 Blackhawks with the most to prove at training camp

The NHL is a cut-throat league and roster spots are incredibly hard to come by. Even if a player is fortunate enough to make the roster, they still must prove over the course of camp whether they deserve to start the season in the lineup or the press box. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing Blackhawks heading into training camp. 

Lukas Reichel 

Despite his young age (23) and draft pedigree (17th overall in 2020), rumors have been swirling around Lukas Reichel’s seemingly imminent departure from Chicago for the better part of a year. After lighting up the AHL in his first two seasons in North America, the Nürnberg, Germany native earned a 23-game call-up in 2023.

Reichel registered 15 points in those 23 games and had fans and executives alike believing that he could be a top-six fixture for the Hawks for years to come. In 135 games since then, he has mustered just 13 goals and 38 points, with his ice time dropping to a career-low 11 minutes last season. 

With his name in the rumor mill, this is Reichel’s last chance to prove that he can be a long-term piece for this young Hawks squad.

Kevin Korchinski 

While Kevin Korchinski is not likely to be dealt anytime soon, the former seventh overall pick must show new coach Jeff Blashill that he is a bona fide NHL defenseman. 

Despite recently turning 21, Korchinski already has 92 NHL and 56 AHL games under his belt. He spent nearly all of last season with Rockford, focusing on filling out his lean frame and defending at the pro level as he often (understandably) was outmatched as a rookie.

With the addition of Matt Grzelcyk on a professional tryout to training camp, the Blackhawks' blueline is becoming more crowded and competitive. Over the coming weeks, Korchinski will have to demonstrate that he is as good as or better than up-and-coming blueliners Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel to earn a place on the opening night roster. 

Laurent Brossoit

Laurent Brossoit may be the most intriguing player on the Blackhawks. 

The 32-year-old missed all of last season with injury after he inked a two-year deal on July 1st, 2024. But, wow, has a lot changed in the Chicago crease since last summer. Petr Mrazek is gone, Arvid Soderblom had a bounce-back season, and Spencer Knight is the unquestioned starter with a brand new extension

Brossoit is still injured, and there is no timeline for his return, but if he does somehow make it back on the ice this fall, he will have to have a Corey Crawford-esque performance to earn some starts with the Hawks this season.