Blackhawks’ Kevin Korchinski showcased growth in ‘unbelievable’ first NHL game of season

NEW YORK — Kevin Korchinski packed for one week on the road, not two.

But Alec Martinez’s neck injury opened a sudden opportunity for the Blackhawks’ top prospect defenseman to get back into the NHL, and Korchinski played so well in the Blackhawks’ win Monday that he earned the right to stick around.

Because he was called up at the end of Rockford’s three-game trip through the Northeast and the beginning of the Hawks’ three-game residency in greater New York, he also earned the right to do laundry.

“I’m pretty low on clothes right now,” Korchinski said Monday, smiling. “Maybe I’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

It’s an inconvenience the 20-year-old Canadian will tolerate, given how quickly the trajectory of his season has changed.

The Hawks sent him to the AHL at the end of training camp to give him time to build up his confidence and rediscover the dynamic, fearless playing style that made him the No. 7 overall pick two years ago. He had been doing exactly that, and he expected to continue doing so for most — if not all — of this season.

But Rockford coach Anders Sorensen’s promotion to Hawks interim coach has seemingly made management more willing and eager to also promote prospects to the NHL, since Sorensen had been doing such a good job fostering their development.

With Martinez and Seth Jones sidelined, the Hawks decided to reward Korchinski for his hard work this fall rather than move depth guy Isaak Phillips between the two leagues for the approximately hundredth time.

“[Anders] loves the ‘D’ jumping up, trying to get aggressive,” Korchinski said before the game. “It was awesome for the two months he was the head coach in Rockford. We learned a lot and were getting on a good roll there. It’s awesome to see him up here, and I know he’s going to be a great coach.

“Playing in Rockford, I was using my feet, skating [and] trying to make plays. Hopefully tonight, I’ll play the same way and help the team win and showcase what got me here.”

He checked all three boxes in his 16:54 of ice time. Sorensen described his performance as “unbelievable.” Then, after momentarily attempting coyness about Korchinski’s next step, Sorensen gave in and conceded he will play again Thursday against the Islanders.

When Rangers star Artemi Panarin intercepted a pass and attacked Korchinski down the wing in the first period Monday, last year’s Korchinski would’ve been able to keep up speed-wise but in that way only. This year’s Korchinski was completely unfazed; he used his speed smartly to angle Panarin to the outside and then used his stick to break up the play, demonstrating his improvement.

“He has settled down defensively,” Sorensen said. “He’s steadier back there; he plays his position much better now. The biggest thing for him is, [since] we drafted him as an offensive defenseman, we want him to utilize his strengths in those areas.”

Korchinski did that, too. He recorded four shot attempts, including two on goal — one of which was a grade-A chance early in the second period when he jumped in as the final layer on a rush. He also placed a wrist shot in the perfect spot for Pat Maroon to tip it past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and off the post later in the period.

After Thursday, it’s unclear how much longer Korchinski will stick in the NHL. Martinez is only day-to-day, after all, and his return could bump Korchinski back down. But if Korchinski excels again on Long Island — if he looks prepared to thrive, rather than just survive, in the NHL moving forward — perhaps plans could change.

Either way, his marked growth provides another reminder of the Hawks’ bright future.

“[I’ve gotten] a bit of that flair and confidence and, I guess you could say, ‘swagger’ back,” he said.