Sam Rinzel will have to make the most of his ice time this season

Last season was Sam Rinzel's first full season of professional hockey. Splitting his time between the NHL, where he played 54 games, and the AHL, where he played 23 games, Rinzel had a mix of ups and downs.

Throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season, Rinzel was given plenty of opportunity and ice time. He spent time running the powerplay, playing the penalty kill, and, at times, saw top-pair minutes and matchups.

Rinzel's role going forward

This upcoming season is likely going to be a different story for Rinzel. With the acquisition of Bowen Byram and the high likelihood of him playing on the right side, Rinzel could find himself as the third pairing right-handed defenseman. Rinzel's smooth skating and offensive prowess are the reason he is such a promising young piece.

With Byram taking the powerplay one role, and Artyom Levshunov likely being given the first crack at running the second unit, Rinzel may not see much powerplay time. For an offensively gifted defenseman like Rinzel, that is a problem. Now, if Levshunov struggles to take on that responsibility, Rinzel will certainly get his shot. There is also the possibility that Jeff Blashill throws two defensemen on the second unit.

With that being said, I think it is likely that Rinzel will get penalty kill time. And because the Blackhawks have so many offensive defensemen, at least a couple of them will have to play penalty kill. In my mind, Rinzel makes the most sense.

However, a limited offensive role also means there is an opportunity for Rinzel to show off and develop other areas of his game. Rinzel has the tools to be a good two-way defenseman. He is a smooth skater with a long reach and high hockey IQ. If Rinzel can develop his game on the defensive side of the puck, he can prove himself to be very valuable to the Blackhawks' blueline.

Rinzel is due for a new contract next summer, so this season will largely determine what that deal looks like. With limited ice time and fewer opportunities on the powerplay, Rinzel is going to need to make the most of every opportunity.

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