The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso, per Charlie Roumeliotis of Chicago’s WGN Radio. The duo will assist fill in for beginning goaltender Petr Mrazek and top-four defender Alec Martinez.
Each gamers left Chicago’s Saturday sport early with damage — Mrazek after getting his legs swept from below him, and Martines after a deflected shot discovered its approach below his visor. Roumeliotis provides that Mrazek has been moved to injured reserve with a left-groin damage.
With Martinez becoming a member of prime Hawks defender Seth Jones on the listing of accidents, Chicago will give prime prospect Korchinski one other probability to determine an NHL function. The 20-year-old spent everything of final season on the NHL roster amid a extreme lack of protection depth. He recorded 5 targets, 15 factors and a -39 in 76 video games — prompting Chicago to begin him within the minors this yr.
That’s confirmed the suitable transfer early on, with Korchinski main Rockford IceHogs defenseman in scoring with two targets and 11 factors in 21 video games. He’s served a top-line function for Rockford and appears to be gaining increasingly confidence on the puck, with routine highlights displaying him driving play from finish to finish.
This call-up possible received’t assure Korchinski minutes. He’ll need to first earn a task over Nolan Allan and Wyatt Kaiser — assuming Chicago doesn’t play any of their defenders on their off-hand. Allan has confirmed a stout fill-in amid accidents, with 4 assists and a -5 by way of 20 video games this season.
Kaiser has been far much less productive, boasting only one help, 14 penalty minutes, and a -1 in 25 video games. Korchisnki’s scoring upside may very well be sufficient to earn minutes, however he’ll possible need to rapidly reap the benefits of the alternatives he’s supplied.
Commesso has spent the final two seasons splitting begins in Rockford. He discovered his approach into the function of de facto starter final yr — his first skilled season — entering into 38 video games and recording 18 wins and a .906 save share. He narrowly beat out Jaxson Stauber in ice time and save share — with Stauber posting a .902 in 31 video games — however Commesso hasn’t discovered the identical success this yr.
He’s misplaced the bulk share of begins to three-year professional Mitchell Weeks, who has a .901 save share in 12 begins to Commesso’s .879 in 10 begins. Each netminders have 4 wins.
Mrazek’s compelled week-long absence ought to give Commesso an opportunity to earn his NHL debut. In the meantime, Rockford has recalled ECHL starter Benjamin Gaudreau to assist help the AHL lineup in Commesso’s absence. Gaudreau — one other prime goalie prospect in his draft yr — has set a 5-5-2 document and .907 save share in his first 12 professional video games this season.
