Why the Chicago Blackhawks demoting Kevin Korchinski and Frank Nazar was the right decision

Yesterday, the Chicago Blackhawks demoted three players to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, including two of their top prospects.

While Hawks fans had high hopes for Kevin Korchinski and Frank Nazar going into the preseason, the former first-round picks simply didn’t show coach Luke Richardson enough to warrant a spot in the opening night lineup.

Both players have reason to be disappointed, as Korchinski played in 76 NHL contests last season as the league’s youngest defenseman, and Nazar tallied one goal in three NHL games after leaving the University of Michigan in April.

Frustrating as it may be, this decision is best for Korchinski and Nazar’s long-term development.

Korchinski was placed in a difficult position last year with the Blackhawks. He was too good for junior hockey but not quite ready to be an everyday NHL defender.

Due to the NHL-CHL Player Transfer Agreement, Korchinski was too young to play in the AHL thus, GM Kyle Davidson decided to keep him up with the big club for the season. Understandably, Korchinski struggled and posted an abysmal -39 plus/minus rating, and he was often outmuscled by stronger, older players.

Starting the season in Rockford will allow Korchinski to gain confidence against inferior players and further learn the ins and outs of playing smart, pro-level defense.

The Hawks let Alex Vlasic marinate in Rockford for a year, and last season he broke out as one of the NHL’s top defensive defensemen. Korchinski won’t spend the entire season in Rockford, nor do the Hawks expect him to be a physical, shut-down defender like Vlasic, but some seasoning in the AHL will do him some good in the long run.

Nazar’s demotion should be easier to stomach.

Over the summer, Davidson added four veteran forwards to the roster, so Nazar really would’ve had to dominate in preseason to earn a roster spot. Furthermore, he only has three games of professional hockey under his belt and missed an entire year of development due to an injury in college.

Sure, Hawks fans would love to see number 91 flying around the United Center ice this October, but, in reality, the BMO Center in Rockford is where he should be right now.

It also shouldn’t be overlooked that Korchinski and Nazar will be joining the likes of Artyom Levshunov, Colton Dach, Landon Slaggert, and Isaak Phillips, in Rockford this season. Davidson is building a strong core of prospects that will hopefully enjoy AHL success soon, just as Tampa Bay’s core did in Syracuse before its NHL dynasty run.

Korchinski and Nazar will be able to develop with their future NHL teammates and learn how to win in the process.