Why the Blackhawks seem to give Artyom Levshunov more leeway than Kevin Korchinski

The Chicago Blackhawks have been patient with the Kevin Korchinski development saga, which has been ongoing since 2022, and we are now in year four. The Blackhawks have also displayed patience with second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov, who is now on an individual-focused practice schedule to focus on fundamentals.

There could be a huge debate with valid points about whether Levshunov should go back to the AHL to improve his game and polish some of the basics. However, it's not that simple.

Two Different Situations

Korchinski's issues can be fixed with repetition, such as his defensive breakdowns and questionable first passes. The AHL allows him to have the space to make said mistakes, while the NHL, as we saw, is extremely unforgiving. The two leagues are, well, leagues apart when it comes to average skill level, meaning prospects like Korchinski (he's still 21 years old) can learn through mistakes. He is still learning when to let his skating take over on the rush, when to pass the puck, and, most importantly, to have confidence in his decision-making. I may have sounded as if I didn't like Korchinski in a later piece I wrote, but I still have high hopes for the kid. He needs more time to refine his skill set and decide what type of player he should be.

Levshunov's issues can be fixed by stepping out of the NHL to work with the Blackhawks' coaches to refine and reset his fundamentals while he is still fresh. Levshunov already seems to know what type of player he wants to be, and the coaches seem to agree on it: A puck-moving defenseman who can lead a rush and set up in the offensive zone while being sound and trustworthy in his own zone. There have been glimpses of this in past games; his consistency is what needs work. His defensive skating and decision-making could use some work; however, focusing on fundamentals comes first.

Regarding his shot, Levshunov will not improve it in the AHL, as his aim needs the work, not the timing. The Blackhawks have identified this and are going about this development properly. Levshunov also needs to remember where he needs to be defensively, when to join the rush or stay back, when to pinch, and when to hold position on the boards. His noted shift against the Pittsburgh Penguins saw him all out of sorts, where he attempted to join the rush, then seemed to play as the F2 in the defensive zone rather than proper defense.

Seperate Paths to the Same Goal

Korchinski needs more repetition and minutes to refine his game and learn what works and what does not in the NHL, which is developed in the AHL. He does not really need to focus on fundamentals or individualized coaching; he just needs repetition and minutes to refine his craft. As he learns what works in the AHL and becomes confident in it, he can bring that skill set to the NHL and make adjustments accordingly. I still see him as a top-four defenseman in the NHL if all goes well, given his natural ability to skate with the puck. His decision-making and awareness are what need work. Patience is key with Korchinski, who seems to be more of a project than I originally thought back in 2022.

Levshunov has displayed what he is capable of a few times in the NHL, leading a rush on his own and knifing past defenders with his puck control. He has also been able to hold his own on defense against the opposition's top-six with no notable errors. His issues are the fundamentals, something that needs to be observed and corrected on the spot. He needs to learn to fix his play through instant feedback rather than through trial and error with NHL-level staff. He is also a work in progress, just with different needs.

Both are expected to be huge parts of the Blackhawks' resurgence as members of the defensive core for years to come, and patience is needed, but in different ways, for both. Their selection was based on what kind of player they could become rather than the player they are now, and to reach that potential, the Blackhawks have decided to take two different paths in their development process.