CHGO Chicago Blackhawks Podcast · ALLCITY Network, CHGO Sports

Has Kevin Korchinski Shown ENOUGH For An NHL Roster Spot Next Season? | CHGO Blackhawks Podcast

April 7, 2026·1 hr·4 clips

Kevin Korchinski's recent surge in ice time and confidence could finally earn him a permanent NHL spot with the Blackhawks.

1. CHGO Blackhawks hosts Jay Zawoski and Mario Cherabasi record a Tuesday mailbag show after getting home at 2:30 a.m. following the Hawks-Sharks postgame, running on minimal sleep. 2. Jay Zawoski leads the conversation; Mario Cherabasi serves as co-host; Sarah Fichter produces and participates in discussion segments. 3. The episode's central question is whether Kevin Korchinski has shown enough in his recent injury call-up to secure a Blackhawks NHL roster spot for next season. 4. Korchinski's ice time rose from 12:09 to 15:38 over six games in the call-up, with the hosts noting he 'looked confident, fast, and decisive' — traits they say were absent in earlier NHL appearances. 5. Against San Jose, Korchinski posted a 70.6% expected goals percentage at all strengths, the highest of any Blackhawks defenseman in that game, while playing his most minutes of the call-up. 6. One host describes Korchinski as 'a more mature version defensively' compared to his rookie season, when he was 'surviving above his weight' rather than making intentional plays. 7. The hosts note Korchinski has stated he will remain in Chicago over the summer training with Blackhawks staff, calling it a strong impression on coaches and a sign of genuine commitment to the team's rebuild. 8. The offseason hot takes segment features one host predicting the team will acquire 'a legit top-six guy people are excited about that's not drafted by them,' while the other predicts they do 'nothing much' and roll with the developing kids. 9. Roman Kancarov is identified as the key variable in the center-depth debate — if he arrives as a 50-60 point player, the hosts argue the Blackhawks could roll near-equal second lines and reduce Bedard's workload from 21-22 minutes to 18 minutes per night. 10. The hosts draw a comparison to the dynasty-era Blackhawks, where line numbers didn't matter because everyone trusted Toews and Kane equally, arguing the current core could reach the same equilibrium. 11. Marcus Kruger is cited as the historical example of a player who accepted a limited role on a great team and was content being 'the game's best fourth-line center,' raising the question of whether current players will do the same. 12. A Western Conference standings analysis reveals the LA Kings have only 19 regulation wins — fewer than the Blackhawks — and that 39% of their games went to overtime, making them 'loser point merchants.' 13. Removing the loser point would leave the Kings with 64 points, placing them third from the bottom of the Western Conference, prompting both hosts to endorse a 3-2-1 point system. 14. The Colorado Avalanche are identified as the Western Conference team most likely to face a decline among Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, though the hosts note their 'cliff' may just be becoming a mid-tier playoff team rather than bottoming out. 15. The Edmonton Oilers are described as 'much closer to the cliff' than any central division team because their window is explicitly tied to Connor McDavid's presence and potential departure. 16. Producer Sarah's brother is revealed to root for both the Packers and Bears, and both the Blackhawks and Red Wings, prompting the hosts to demand justification and ultimately declare 'straight to jail' for his neutrality in rivalry games. 17. The hosts discuss Tyler Bertuzzi's enduring value as a complementary piece with Anton Frondell and contrast it with Andre Burakowski's declining effectiveness, suggesting a buyout is the most likely exit. 18. The episode format is a mailbag structure driven by listener questions, with long-form analytical tangents triggered by each question and producer Sarah participating in lighter discussion segments. 19. Chicago Blackhawks fans following the rebuild who want detailed player development analysis and forward-looking roster construction discussion will find the most value. 20. Casual hockey fans unfamiliar with the Blackhawks' prospect pipeline or current roster composition may find the depth of discussion on Korchinski's development arc and center depth difficult to follow.

As heard by us

A loose Blackhawks conversation that moves from postgame fatigue to Western Conference talk and the season's final stretch.

This episode opens in a loose postgame mood, with Jay Zawoski and Mario Cherabasi swapping coffee jokes while Sarah Fichter keeps the conversation moving.

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Want Blackhawks talk with postgame energy and Western Conference chatter?

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