Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar 'in the mix' as roster cuts begin

Three preseason games remain for the Blackhawks after their 3-2 overtime loss to the Blues.

Coach Luke Richardson hopes the roster crunch becomes clearer next week. On Saturday, the Hawks assigned forward prospects Gavin Hayes, Paul Ludwinski, Jalen Luypen and Marcel Marcel to Rockford. They also returned Nick Lardis, a third-round pick in 2023, to Brantford of the OHL.

The Hawks have 41 players (24 forwards, 12 defensemen and five goalies) left in camp.

“Once we get to the Minnesota games, we’re going to try to get more of a team unity formed out there, and we’ll have a couple of spots for guys that are really battling for jobs mixed in there,” Richardson said.

Forward Frank Nazar and defenseman Kevin Korchinski are fighting for roster spots. Nazar rebounded in the 2-0 loss to the Red Wings on Friday after a shaky game Wednesday. He led all players with five shots on goal and showed more aggressive playmaking.

Nazar is trying to impress after a short stint with the Hawks last season. Korchinski played in 76 games last season largely because he was too good to return to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL but not quite good enough to warrant as much ice time as he received. At 19 and coming from junior hockey, Korchinski wasn’t eligible to be sent to the AHL.

Now that Korchinski is of age, a stint in Rockford is likely because of the veteran signings the Hawks made, in part, to create more competition. But Korchinski and Nazar have shown enough that they’re still in the mix, and they played Friday and Saturday.

“Just getting some reps,” Richardson said of the decision. “Those guys are in the mix of battling for jobs, so they have to be given the opportunity.”

‘Staying confident’

Prospect Ethan Del Mastro — who played 69 games in the AHL last season — is making do with a makeshift locker near the corner of the Hawks’ dressing room.

Though he’s likely starting the season in Rockford, Del Mastro said he entered camp with aspirations of making the team, coming off a 37-point season. He also said he’s using the experience to learn and grow. Del Mastro, a 6-4 defenseman, has spent time picking up the habits and routines of the veteran guys before he likely returns to Rockford.

The IceHogs have churned out some successful defensemen in the last few years — Alex Vlasic, Isaak Phillips and Nolan Allan. Del Mastro credited the staff at Rockford with aiding his development.

“Got a lot of opportunities with that team, which was obviously very nice for the staff to allow me to improve and work on my skills,” Del Mastro said. “It’s just about building off that and staying confident.”

Maintenance list

Forward Taylor Hall returned Saturday, but defenseman Wyatt Kaiser missed his fifth straight day with no injury designation from the team.

Richardson said Kaiser is improving and that he wants to practice, but the team hasn’t deemed him ready to return to the ice.