Blackhawks Finally Getting in Villeneuve What They Were Hoping for in Korchinski

The Chicago Blackhawks took Kevin Korchinski seventh overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. When the Blackhawks drafted him, they thought that he was going to be the offensive defenseman of the future. While he still can be, Korchinski enters this season with a “make it or break it” year coming up; this is his chance to prove himself. 

At this year’s NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected defenseman Xavier Villeneuve with the 34th overall pick. Villeneuve had the biggest offensive upside of any defender coming into the draft. Since Villeneuve is going to take the long road for development, could he turn into what the Blackhawks thought Korchinski was going to be six years later?

Korchinski’s Journey With the Blackhawks

Korchinski, right after being drafted, was put in a weird spot, as, due to the former Canadian Hockey League (CHL)-NHL transfer agreement, players under 20 years old couldn’t play in the American Hockey League (AHL). In his draft year, he had 73 points in 54 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and tallied four points in the World Junior Championship with Team Canada. He wasn’t going to learn anything new in the WHL, so the Blackhawks elected to have him play in the NHL as a defenseman at just 18 years old. 

With very few options available, the Blackhawks unfortunately didn’t have much of a choice, and the writing was on the wall; Korchinski had a tough time throughout the entire 2023-24 campaign. In 76 games, he only had 15 points after being touted as a pure offensive-minded defender and finished with a minus-39. With those 76 games, his confidence, which he had after being a top-ten pick, went away — it was obvious on and off the ice. Normally, defensemen need some time to adjust, and on a really weak Blackhawks team, and being paired with Jaycob Megna, Korchinski was on the struggle bus. His play in his own end was beyond poor, and he was a complete defensive liability. 

Luckily, the next season, the Blackhawks were able to get Korchinski down to the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL. He spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in Rockford, slowly regaining his stride, and then (From – ‘How Blackhawks’ Kevin Korchinski rebuilt his confidence after a shattering rookie season’ – The Athletic, 4-9-26) was called up to the Blackhawks towards the end. He had two points in 16 games. While not jumping off the stat sheet, he showed improvements to his game at both ends of the ice. Korchinski continued that upward trajectory this past season with the Blackhawks, and showed confidence with and without the puck while being, for the most part, a steady defender. 

Villeneuve Drafted and His Offensive Upside 

Villeneuve somehow fell to the second round of this year’s draft. It was one of the steals of the whole draft and made the Bowen Byram trade look a lot better just because Villeneuve was picked up. The reason he dropped to the second round is because of his frame of 5-foot-11. If he were just two inches taller, he would have been a first-round selection. Villeneuve finished his draft year with 38 points in 37 games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Villeneuve’s pure skill makes up for his size, though. His skating ability carries his game, and in the offensive zone, he can be shifty, dodge defenders, and make the correct play. His passing and shooting are among the best of a defenseman in this draft, as well.  He struggles on the defensive end, but in time and with some work, that can be improved. 

Villeneuve will have an advantage that Korchinski didn’t have, and that’s getting the proper development path. Villeneuve, like Korchinski, will not be thrown into the NHL immediately. Instead, Villeneuve will go to Boston University, where Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson went. Villeneuve may not turn into a Hutson; however, if the coaches at BU can develop him the same way, the Blackhawks will be in good shape. After all, that’s what Villeneuve wants. 

The Blackhawks are in a position where they’re able to take big swings on high ceilings rather than play it safe. This was a solid selection, and if everything turns out well, Villeneuve should be what the Blackhawks thought they were getting when they selected Korchinski back in 2022.