Ron's Blackhawks Insights: Latest NHL Analysis and Predictions

Watching Sam Rinzel glide around the ice has enhanced my understanding of his hype. When finding yourself watching certain players behind the play, you gain a full appreciation for their traits that highlights and broadcast view video don't always provide. 

Perhaps the greatest takeaway I have of Rinzel's game is his ability to anticipate a play. On a number of occasions, you can see Rinzel jump into a play to break up a would-be pass, or jump up and take a chance to provide some offense. 

He's only played in four NHL games so far, but Rinzel looks comfortable playing on the top pair against the big boys for respective opponents. I believed that Rinzel would benefit from starting the 2025-26 season in Rockford. Admittedly, I'm beginning to change my tune. 

Oliver Moore is Fast... He Makes Fast People Look... Not Fast

If you appreciate the nod to one of my favorite movies, good for you. If you don't, don't beat yourself up. Rather, let's focus on Oliver Moore. 

Moore is a speedster. Blackhawks fans already know that. However, Oliver Moore is crazy fast, to the point where Frank Nazar and Ilya Mikheyev look to be on a more level playing field next to him. 

I'm not sure if Oliver Moore is ever going to be a full-blown superstar. In fact, he may never be anything more than a middle-six forward, but that doesn't mean he isn't important to any potential future success the Blackhawks organization has. Speed kills. Look around the league. Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and others are all fast and incredible. Moore's speed is a game breaker and can really make a huge difference on the roster. Just think, Viktor Stalberg was important to a Stanley Cup winner. 

Spencer Knight Will Be Special

This comes as little surprise, but Spencer Knight is going to be a star in Chicago. He's still insanely young and can get better, but is already leaps and bounds above where other goaltenders are at his age. On Sunday, Knight had stretches in the game where he ensured the Blackhawks remained in it despite a lack of goal scoring. 

Knight is really good. Blackhawks fans know that. I still cannot believe Kyle Davidson pulled off that deal with Seth Jones. Wow. 

Future Blue Line Dynamics

I caught myself pondering over potential dynamics of the Blackhawks' blue line in the near future. As it stands, I have to remind myself that prospects are prospects until they pan out. That said, if all the Blackhawks' top defensive prospects pan out in some capacity, then they have a really good problem on their hands. 

As it stands, I humbly believe the "big-minute eaters" in the future will be Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Alex Vlasic. I believe that Ethan Del Mastro can be a shut-down, fourth defenseman-type. From there, I wonder where the likes of Wyatt Kaiser, Kevin Korchinski, and others (non-prospects like Connor Murphy and potential future additions) fit in. I think Korchinski and Kaiser can be valuable, but is it on the same roster? There are still a lot of question marks. 

I might try to tackle this further down the road, but the brain is already spinning when considering the future of the Blackhawks blue line.