The last three years have been a rocky road for defenseman Kevin Korchinski, Kyle Davidson’s first draft pick as the Blackhawks’ general manager in 2022.
It hasn’t been all bad, but things haven’t gone exactly the way Korchinski or the Hawks would have hoped since he turned pro.
Korchinski, 22, now enters his fourth pro season in a make-or-break situation. He’s no longer exempt from waivers, which basically locks him into an NHL roster spot — at least for now — because the Hawks won’t risk losing a top-10 selection that easily.
But playing time is far from guaranteed. Davidson has said he’s more comfortable than ever with young players sitting out as healthy scratches now that the Hawks are prioritizing trying to win every night.
Coach Jeff Blashill has said Korchinski appears more confident and his skating ‘‘more controlled.’’ But he also admitted Sunday that Korchinski isn’t one of the Hawks’ top six defensemen right now.
Korchinski looked like arguably the best player on the ice in the Hawks’ first preseason matchup with the Wild on Saturday, when the teams predominantly dressed AHL rosters. But he wasn’t part of the largely NHL lineup that earned a 4-3 overtime victory in the rematch Monday.
Korchinski will have to earn every regular-season game and minute, and he understands that.
‘‘[My goal is to] prove I belong here and that I want to be part of this culture,’’ he said.
Korchinksi has been limited in the past by his subpar strength against NHL competition. He couldn’t, for example, consistently box out opponents around his net. That’s part of why the Hawks have been outscored 95-52 in his 105 NHL games to date.
He hopes he has addressed that weakness. He’s now 198 pounds, up 10 from the end of last season but roughly the same as he was last September. But not all changes are reflected in weight.
‘‘I definitely got stronger and my gym numbers got better,’’ Korchinski said. ‘‘My approach, rather than gaining a lot of weight, [was] more trying to get stronger.’’
Preseason victory
A victory was expected Monday, considering the Hawks dressed a far superior lineup than the Wild. Bowen Byram eventually gave them that by completing a hat trick in his unofficial first appearance at the United Center with the Hawks.
Patrick Kane didn’t play, but Byram, Nick Lardis and Roman Kantserov were standouts.
Blashill liked how the Hawks held on to pucks longer in the offensive zone, but he noted they gave up too many odd-man rushes and showed signs of fatigue after five consecutive grueling days of training camp.
Bowen Byram OT WINNER FOR THE HAT TRICK! pic.twitter.com/ez9IihRNAC
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 22, 2026
Commesso belongs
Goalie prospect Drew Commesso also gained some weight during the summer, adding six pounds to get up to 190.
‘‘The biggest area I feel it in is my legs,’’ Commesso said. ‘‘My leg strength around the posts, I did a ton of work on that this summer. Comparing video from last year, I definitely see a difference. The NHL is really fast, so if I can improve just a millisecond, it’s going to lead to more saves.’’
After earning his first two NHL victories and first shutout last season, the 24-year-old now sees himself as an NHL-caliber goalie.
‘‘I belong at that level, and [I have] the mindset that I’m there,’’ he said. ‘‘That allows me to carry myself a little differently in a lot of good ways.’’
Commesso won’t start this season at the NHL level, but opportunities should come his way during the season. With a new two-year contract in hand, he could take over as the Hawks’ full-time backup by next season.