IceHogs Notebook: Big Division Win, Korchinski, Rinzel, Lardis & More

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With the Chicago Blackhawks on hiatus due to the Olympic Break, it seemed like the perfect time to head out to Rockford to take in a Rockford IceHogs game. The IceHogs themselves were on break for a week because of the AHL All-Star Classic, which was held on home ice at the BMO Center this year. IceHogs’ Brett Seney, Kevin Korchinski and Nick Lardis all participated in what was a fun and eventful two nights (Feb. 10-11).

Related – Blackhawks’ Prospects Represent in AHL All-Star Skills Competition

But it was time to get back to work on Saturday (Feb. 14), for a Valentine’s matchup against their division rival Milwaukee Admirals. The IceHogs defeated the Admirals 3-1 the previous Saturday (Feb. 7), while Milwaukee took the two prior contests between these two clubs. Headed into this game, the IceHogs were 4-3-2 against the Admirals on the season. Just four points separated these two teams in the standings. It set the stage for an intense and heated matchup.

The BMO Center provides a great atmosphere and energy, along with enthusiastic fans cheering on their team. This contest was no different. Let’s get to the highlights from this high-scoring affair, plus check in on some of the Blackhawks’ prospects currently playing for the IceHogs.

IceHogs Versus Admirals: Game Recap (IceHogs Win 6-2)

The IceHogs had the Admirals number from the get-go in this game, and they never let up. Journeyman Dominic Toninato got the scoring started with a goal a little over 14 minutes into the first period, assisted by Lardis. But the IceHogs weren’t done yet. With just 35 seconds to go in the frame, defenseman Taige Harding got a shot off from just outside the left circle that got past Admirals’ netminder Matthew Murray. It was Harding’s first ever pro goal.

The Hogs added two power play tallies in the middle frame, one by Lardis and the other by Gavin Hayes. Admirals Cole O’Hara also scored in between the IceHogs two tallies.

The third period featured two more goals by the IceHogs, courtesy of Aidan Thompson and Rem Pitlick. Reid Schaefer scored for the Admirals to give the visiting team their second and last goals of the night.

Once it was all said and done, the IceHogs won their second straight against their division rival. Toninato was named the 1st Star of the game with a goal and three assists for a four-point night. Harding was the 2nd Star for his first pro goal, and Lardis was appointed the 3rd Star with a goal and an assist.

Harding Scores 1st Pro Goal

Harding has made a name for himself this season with his size and physicality. The Glasgow, Scotland native was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round (91st overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He spent four seasons at Providence College before playing eight games with the IceHogs at the end of the 2024-25 season (and earning three assists).

In his 30th game with the Hogs this season, he finally scored his first professional goal. IceHogs’ Manager of Broadcasting and Communications described this as building over the last few weeks. Teammate Toninato concurred.

He’s (Harding) definitely elevated his game to the next level, and he’s been a huge part of the success we’ve been having. He’s been physical, contributed on the score sheet now with that goal, and obviously his fights gets the boys going. So he’s been doing an awesome job, and he can continue to keep growing and keep helping us the way he has been.

The six-foot-seven blueliner engaged in two fights over the last two games against the rival Admirals, with Jack Matier and then Navrin Mutter. Said Lardis, “The fights too, have built so much momentum for our team. So, it’s cool have him score one and build momentum in that kind of way too.”

For his part, Harding admitted he’s been feeling more confident lately, and attributed some of that to his defensive partner, Kevin Korchinski.

He (Korchinski) just skates so well, and he’s really gifted offensively. So for me, it’s just trying to back him up when I can. And then just honestly give him the puck as much as I can so he can make great plays.

Perfect segue into a Korchinski update.

Korchinski’s Development

After playing in 76 games with the Blackhawks in the 2023-24 season (because he was too young to be eligible for the AHL), Korchinski suited up for 56 games with the IceHogs in the 2024-25 campaign and now 44 games in the 2025-26 campaign. Does this make the 2022 seventh overall draft pick in the 2022 draft a bust?

Kevin Korchinski Chicago Blackhawks
Does Chicago Blackhawks’ defensive prospect Kevin Korchinski have what it takes to make it in the NHL? (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Let’s remember defensemen take longer to develop than forwards, and fellow D-man Wyatt Kaiser also played two seasons with the IceHogs before becoming an everyday player for the Blackhawks. Sometimes these things take time, and every player has their own trajectory.

Korchinski’s been playing recently on his offside (right side) while being deployed with Harding, and I asked head coach Jared Nightingale his thought process behind it.

I think the combination (of Harding and Korchinski). Tage is playing a lot better, and they have a little bit of chemistry together. And Korch has played on the right before. We have quite a few lefties on the back end. And Korch is another guy that’s taken some great steps. I think Taige, it’s a good balance as somebody that’s staying back and steady, and Korch can get up in the play a little more often. We’re really proud of Korch, his game away from the puck and the defending. He’s taking some big steps. With him and Sam (Rinzel), when they’re playing like that, it helps our team tremendously.

It goes without saying that if Korchinski can be comfortable on both the left and right side, that will make him a more well-rounded player, and give the coaching staff more options with his deployment. The trade deadline is coming up, as well as the end of the 2025-26 season. We know a few of the veteran Blackhawks’ defensemen will be traded or won’t be re-signed (namely Connor Murphy and Matt Grzelcyk). This could be when we’ll see if Korchinski has developed enough to become an everyday player at the NHL level.

Rinzel’s Contributions

Moving on to another top Blackhawks’ defensive prospect, Sam Rinzel started the 2025-26 season with the Blackhawks, but was sent down to the IceHogs for further seasoning on Dec. 8. He was recalled for a three-game stint right before the Olympic break, but has been back in Rockford since then. In his three games back, he’s been playing on the top defensive pairing with fellow prospect Ethan Del Mastro. He’s also contributed four assists, including this one on Saturday night (Feb. 14). Rinzel is No. 6 below, who sets up the play.

Said Coach Nightingale of Rinzel,

The Blackhawks have had a good vision for him. Kind of the building block for Sam, he’s talented with the puck, his defending and simplifying the game. When he needs to use this skill, you see it along the blue line, offensive blue line. He’s gifted offensively. But to stay in the NHL, Sam has to improve his defense. And he’s done that. Ever since he got back, this recent stretch. He’s been playing at a high, high level. Letting the game come to him, and he’s made some big plays. He’s really taken some great strides. (There’s) a good reason for the Hawks can be excited about (him).

Rinzel was the only Blackhawk that was eligible to be sent down over the break (per CBA rules), but he’s also probably one of the first to be called back up again. The Blackhawks have been working with another young defensive prospect, Artyom Levshunov, to improve his game.

Related – Blackhawks’ Fans Need to Be Patient With Levshunov

But for the same reason’s I cited regarding Korchinski, there could be a lot more room on the Blackhawk’s blue line in the very near future.

Lardis Excelling in Rockford

We’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight Blackhawks’ top prospect Nick Lardis, who took the OHL by storm last season with 71 goals and 117 points playing for the Brantford Bulldogs. Everyone wondered if his nose for the net would translate on the professional level. He’s proven that it has, finding immediate success with the IceHogs earlier in the season (13 goals and 26 points in 25 games). This prompted a callup to the Blackhawks in the wake of Connor Bedard’s shoulder injury.

In 21 games with the Blackhawks, he contributed five goal and seven points, and looked like a strong all-around player despite his diminutive size (5-foot-11, 165 pounds). Alas, a fully healthy forward group left Lardis as the odd man out, and he was sent back to the IceHogs on Jan. 26.

No matter; Lardis got straight to work. In five games back with the Hogs, the 20-year-old boasts three goals and four points. But the Blackhawks’ organization has got to love Lardis’s response about his production.

Yeah, I don’t really like to judge my game off points honestly. Just making sure I’m playing a good two-way game, making sure I’m playing good defensively. And honestly, I think just for me, making sure my linemates and myself are generating chances. There’s gonna be some nights where they don’t go in, some nights they do. Just want to keep it going. I mean, right now our focus is wins. We’re think a couple wins back from Milwaukee I think in the standings. So just making sure we’re prioritizing wins right now.

Living completely in the present and focusing on helping his linemates and developing his all-round game. Lardis has new linemates in this recent stint with the IceHogs. One couldn’t ask for much more. He’s been playing with Toninato and Pitlick (previously it was mostly Seney and Oliver Moore). Lardis says he feels like they’re gelling really well.

I asked Coach Nightingale what the messaging was to Lardis while back with the IceHogs.


The challenge with him is getting to the inside, using his speed and not staying perimeter. He’s a special player. He’s got a quick release. He can get to good ice quickly. I think also it helps that Toninato and Pitlick are played really well. They’ve found some chemistry. But Lars is a special player. He can finish. I think the challenge for him; he’s just kind of continue to move his feet and get to good ice, because he’s a threat when he gets there.

To the eye test, Lardis stands out among his peers in the AHL. I have a hunch he’ll be back in Chicago real soon.

Related – Blackhawks Hoping Olympic Break Rejuvenates Them for Final Stretch

There’s a lot going on in Rockford that Blackhawks’ fans can be excited about. Numerous young prospects have spent time this season in both Rockford and Chicago as they work to round out their game and become everyday NHLers. It makes IceHogs’ games an exciting destination.

The IceHogs will go head-to-head with the Admirals for the third consecutive game on Sunday (Feb. 15) at 4 p.m. They’ll be working hard for two more points, which would tie them with Milwaukee at 42 points a piece in the standings. I’m sure the fans will be behind them as they go for another win.

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