The Chicago Blackhawks power play may or may not be getting better, but it is getting younger.
The Hawks promoted rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski to the first unit and shifted veteran Seth Jones to the second group.
“It’s a privilege,” Korchinski said. “It means that they trust me, which is awesome. And, yeah, it’s an opportunity.”
Jones took the demotion in stride.
“Nothing has really been clicking, so we’ve got to change it up,” he said. “Kev is a great puck mover and it’s just a different look for us. We want to get more shots to the net, so try to develop chemistry somewhere.”
The Hawks’ 11.3% power-play percentage ranks 29th in the 32-team NHL.
It’s the second major shakeup in less than a week after Lukas Reichel joined the first unit at the bumper spot.
Philipp Kurashev also rejoined the first unit, replacing Taylor Hall. Here’s how the Hawks lined up during practice Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena.
PP1: Connor Bedard (flank), Kurashev (flank), Reichel (bumper), Corey Perry (net front), Korchinski (point)
PP2: Hall (flank), Tyler Johnson (flank), Taylor Raddysh (bumper), Nick Foligno (net front), Jones (point)
Coach Luke Richardson said he wants to see how that configuration looks in Wednesday’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Just change it up,” he said. “Kurashev’s been doing really well and it makes sense. Him and Reichel seem to have a little chemistry too. I thought we’d try something new and we’re on the road, too, so let’s just keep it simple and try to change things up.”
In particular, Korchinski’s skating might help the Hawks’ problem with zone entries and the related fact their zone time with the man advantage (55.5%) is below the league average (58.9%).
“He’s a fast guy,” Richardson said.
Bedard agreed, calling Korchinski “a smooth skater … a stud.”
“(I) got to play with him a little in World Juniors,” Bedard said. “Never got to play against him in the (WHL), which is unfortunate. But seeing what he’s done (in the) first games here, it’s been a lot of fun to watch and excited to get some looks.
“Whether it’s him or Seth, they’re both great. But Kev’s a great player. His skill is remarkable.”
Here are three things we learned at practice about the move.
1. Off-ice chemistry played into the decision.
The first power-play unit now includes several players of similar age and experience — with one notable exception:
Bedard, 18, rookie
Korchinski, 19, rookie
Reichel, 21, third year but first full season
Kurashev, 24, fourth year but third full season
Perry, oldest Hawk at 38, 19th season
“All those guys are young with good speed, and you have Perrs that could be right in front of the net for them,” Richardson said. “Those guys seem to be around each other a lot, they’re all around the same age and communicate a lot, which is huge, and that’s part of the power play. It makes sense to give it a try.”
Bedard shared significantly more ice time with Reichel on both the power play and the top line in five-on-five during Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
“It’s been great,” Bedard said. “Obviously just one game, but I’ve said so many times, he’s such a skilled player, special player. (We’ll) try to build a little more chemistry as we go here.
“It’s been a lot of fun. Kurshy too. He’s been unreal this year. I mean, he’s been a point per game and he’s made so many plays.”
Bedard wasn’t sure how long it would take to jell, but “for us it’s kind of finding out where we want to go and what we like to do with the puck. Hopefully we can keep building that.”
2. Korchinski’s mission: Feed Bedard.
One thing is clear about Korchinski: He’s not shy about shooting the puck.
He tends to fire without hesitation, but now he’s playing with the Hawks’ top offensive weapon in Bedard.
“(The Hawks) still want me to shoot the puck,” Korchinski said. “Obviously we have a lot of guys who can shoot on that unit, but just play my game, move the puck well, try and use my speed on the breakouts.”
He has a sense of what Bedard wants.
“He’s a guy that wants the puck, so just getting him the puck and letting him kind of do his thing on that half wall,” Korchinski said. “Whether it’s coming down low or coming up high, just support him, kind of being on a string where I have an out for him if he’s under pressure. Just knowing where he wants to be, where he wants the puck.”
3. With all that youth, could it be a liability?
Jones, who has contributed one power-play point (an assist), generally keeps the Hawks out of short-handed situations. They’ve allowed two short-handed goals this season.
Will that be the case with a rookie as the last line of defense? Richardson isn’t worried.
“We definitely remind them, especially the guys on the sides, that they always have to protect the ‘D’ at the top,” he said. “When he’s shooting or if he’s in a tough position where he has to kind of pinch to stay in, you have to reload just like you would five-on-five.
“I know it’s their nature to hang in there, looking for that offensive opportunity, but you still have to protect your teammates when they’re in a vulnerable situation. … We’ll definitely state that before tomorrow’s game just to keep it fresh in their mind.”
