> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://eatthehatchet-hockey.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Four Key Takeaways & Tactical Questions From the Blackhawks Preseason - URL: https://eatthehatchet-hockey.com/blackhawks-preseason-takeaways-tactics-metrics/ - Published: 2026-09-28T14:08:57.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-28T14:08:57.000Z - Description: Four key takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks split preseason. From the forecheck to Korchinski's improved play. - Author: Steve Kwiatkowski - Tags: Analysis *Note: Email readers will need to open this article in a tab to view embedded clips.* The Chicago Blackhawks split the shortened preseason with two wins and two losses. While preseason hockey should be taken with a grain of salt, there are a few observations that lead to important questions headed into the 2026-27 regular season. I have four. ## What will Kevin Korchinski become? Of the young defensemen, Kevin Korchinski had the most consistent and improved play in a very limited sample size. Because players with over 100 NHL games were limited to two preseason games, we only got two looks at Korchinski against diminished competition. However, there's no denying that Korchinski's game looked improved. He was more physical, he drove offense, his passing was excellent on breakouts, and his fluid skating continued to be an impressive aspect of his game. In his two games (again, it was preseason), Chicago had an expected goals share (xG%) at 5-on-5 of 42.05 percent and an actual goals share at 66.67 percent. > Kevin Korchinski (#14 in white) led the [#Blackhawks](https://x.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) in both takeaways (2) and time on ice (25:25) yesterday. Additionally, he added a goal, drew a penalty, and had the second-highest 5v5 xG Share (55.8%) on the Hawks. Here are his best plays and puck touches: [pic.twitter.com/aB4JbbELuC](https://t.co/aB4JbbELuC?ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) > > — Wally Mazurek (@WallMaz35) [September 21, 2026](https://x.com/WallMaz35/status/2101863139180511646?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) Contrast his performance with that of Sam Rinzel, who still had brilliant moments of offensive play, but struggled with physicality and at times looked timid. Rinzel had a 30.99 xG% and an actual goals share at 75 percent. While most lineup projections have Rinzel starting over Korchinski, there is an argument to be made over whether Korchinski deserves a start in the bottom four over Rinzel. The question really comes down to handedness, as Korchinski plays on his left and Rinzel on his right. ## Will the forecheck be more aggressive? Much like the performance of NHL players should be taken with a grain of salt, so too should the tactical decisions of the coaching staff. Jeff Blashill and his staff might have experimented with different tactical plays and lineups (such as Roman Kantserov playing center). One area I paid attention to was the forecheck. Following an offensive zone turnover or face-off loss, Chicago employed an aggressive (and successful) 2-1-2 forecheck. With two forwards pressuring the breakout, this led to repossessions and even goals. > GOAL: Anton Frondell slaps in a shot from the slot to open the scoring. [pic.twitter.com/02UWa5Uc2J](https://t.co/02UWa5Uc2J?ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) > > — BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) [September 26, 2026](https://x.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2103988460084195576?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) When the F1 and F2 forced the puck carrier to make a decision, the strong side defenseman pinched while the F3, or the high forward, covered. Below is a screenshot of Alex Vlasic pinching on a 2-1-2 which led to possession in the offensive zone for Chicago. ![Blackhawks 2-1-2 forecheck](https://eatthehatchet-hockey.com/content/images/2026/09/image-8.png) However, when the Hawks were in the lead, Blashill ran with a much more passive 1-2-2 and even a 1-1-3 at times. This was noticeable in the final preseason game when Chicago was up 3-1 over the St. Louis Blues. They conceded shot attempts and defensive zone entries, which led to St. Louis climbing back to within one goal. While playing safe, defensive hockey to protect a lead may make sense, continuing to play aggressively is key to winning in today's NHL. Chicago should try to push for more offense even with a lead. ## Will breakouts continue to be a driver of poor possession metrics? An area of concern is the breakout. Too often the Hawks found themselves hemmed in at their end, notably when Artyom Levshunov was on the ice. He faced the second-most shot attempts at 5-on-5 among the Blackhawks (44). Against preseason rosters made up of a mix of NHL and AHL players, this is a concern. Even when the Hawks iced a mostly NHL roster, they struggled in puck possession metrics. Chicago finished their four preseason games with a 41.11 percent shot attempt share and a 38.85 percent shot share, both at 5-on-5\. Poor breakouts and conservative tactics (as discussed above) led to prolonged possession by opponents. ## Other Questions - How much will Bowen Byram's offensive play help Chicago in the OZ? There was a lot to like from his play, even if it was preseason. But perhaps the biggest question is whether his defensive zone play will be improved compared to prior seasons, as he will be the No. 1 defenseman. - Will Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov actually gel well together? Kantserov's goal bodes well for his upcoming season. His backhand goal was pure skill, and that was scored without Kane in the game - Anton Frondell had a quiet preseason until his final game. But what will his role be during the regular season? Will he be a center, or will he be pushed to the wing? > GOAL: Roman Kantserov roofs a backhander for his first unofficial Blackhawks goal! [pic.twitter.com/uL0zOPAyhd](https://t.co/uL0zOPAyhd?ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com) > > — BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) [September 27, 2026](https://x.com/BlackhawksFocus/status/2104006491581665282?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=eatthehatchet-hockey.com)