The Chicago Blackhawks return to the ice this week on Feb. 26 as they make the trip to Nashville to play the Predators. Just over a week after that, though, is the 2026 Trade Deadline on March 6, where multiple names are being thrown around the rumor mill. If Connor Murphy, Ilya Mikheyev, or anyone else for that matter is dealt at the deadline, who will be called up to fill their spot?
Kevin Korchinski
Kevin Korchinski has had a few stints up in Chicago already, including a full season at 18 years old, because he didn’t qualify to play in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was recently called up on Feb. 18, but it’s most likely just to practice with the team, since Sam Rinzel was called up from his short stint in Rockford.
Korchinski is now 21 years old, and after a few trips back and forth from Chicago and Rockford, he’s spent nearly the full season with the IceHogs so far (he tallied 23 points in 45 contests), playing only two games with the Blackhawks. In those two games, he showed a lot of improvement in terms of positioning and overall play as a whole, and had an assist.
It goes on track with Rinzel’s development as he earned himself a roster spot with the Blackhawks after the Olympic break in his short stint with the club, except he looked more impressive. Rockford has been doing a great job developing defensemen this season. Either way, Korchinski is improving, and he deserves another look for a longer period if Murphy is traded.
Nick Lardis
If Mikheyev, Jason Dickinson, or any forward is traded, Nick Lardis should be called up instantly. Lardis was brought up when the Blackhawks caught the injury bug and impressed everyone in the organization. There were some concerns about whether his 71-goal season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) would translate to NHL play, but those were put to rest as he had five goals and two assists in a 21-game span.
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Lardis only logged an average of 12:39 ice time per game, but made the most of every minute. Head coach Jeff Blashill said that he was very pleased with his game. Lardis was sent back down to the AHL when Connor Bedard came back from his injury due to a surplus of forwards. He wasn’t meant to touch NHL ice so soon, so the fact that we got a look at Lardis when we did is refreshing.
The minute he got back to Rockford, he participated in the AHL All-Star Week, where he had a beautiful shootout goal and scored in the first game for the Central Division. Lardis has consistently been the best player on the ice for the IceHogs since being sent down, and it’s only a matter of time before he throws on a Hawks sweater again.
Anton Frondell
Anton Frondell was the third-overall pick in last year’s draft and for good reason. He signed his entry-level contract immediately after he was selected by the Blackhawks and is eligible to come play for the Blackhawks organization after his current season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Djurgardens IF.
Frondell has been tearing up the SHL, tallying 15 goals and 22 points in 36 games as an 18-year-old. His World Junior Championship play with Sweden is what set him apart, though, as he had five goals and eight points in seven games while winning gold. Frondell ran the power play on the right side and scored most of his goals from there with that cracking one-timer, and had the game-winning shootout goal against Finland to send Sweden to the gold-medal game.
Whether Frondell will see time in Chicago or not is up in the air. But when his SHL season ends, as Djurgardens will make the playoffs, he’ll be in Rockford at the very least. There’s no reason to rush his development and for him to get a look in Chicago when he’s not ready. The best idea might be to start him with the IceHogs, and depending on how fast he progresses, call him up for the final three-to-five games of the season just to see what they’re working with. Plus, moving Bedard to the left side of the power play might be because Frondell is going to come in and rule that right side.
Those are only three of the young guns who may touch the United Center ice by April, but there are many more down the pipeline and there’ll be no shortage of rookie laps in the coming years.
