Blackhawks Hope Sam Rinzel Can Regain Swagger in AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks have sent defensemen Sam Rinzel to the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday, a move that comes after he struggled on the ice for several games. The 21-year-old Minnesota native had fallen down the depth chart and was averaging just 13:42 of ice time per game over the last five contests.
However, coach Jeff Blashill believes that this demotion will be beneficial to Rinzel in the long run, as it gives him a chance to regain his "swagger" with the puck. The Blackhawks' coaching staff wants Rinzel to get back to receiving significant ice time, and they hope that the AHL stint will help him improve defensively.
In the AHL, Rinzel will face stiffer competition than he did in the NHL, where he had struggled to gain traction. Blashill has told Rinzel that this is a "hard league" that requires players to be able to defend smartly with their sticks, rather than relying on physical confrontations.
The Blackhawks have several young defensemen in the AHL who are already making an impact, including Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan. The team's defensive corps is now stacked with NHL-caliber talent, which means that Rinzel will be expected to elevate his game as well.
Rinzel's demotion also means that he will have more opportunities to play in different situations and gain experience against top-level opponents. This could help him develop into a more reliable player for the Blackhawks, who are struggling to find consistency on defense this season.
As the Blackhawks try to turn their season around, they can be expected to make some adjustments to their lineup and defensive scheme. With Rinzel getting his AHL stint under way, it's possible that he could return to Chicago as an improved player in the coming weeks.
The Blackhawks' next game is against the Rangers on Wednesday, and with six defensemen on the roster, coach Blashill has hinted that this may be a traditional 12-forward, six-defenseman lineup. This will give Rinzel and some of the other young players more ice time to work with, and it could help them develop their skills as they prepare for the long stretch ahead.
Overall, while Sam Rinzel's demotion is a setback, it also presents an opportunity for him to regroup and refocus his game. With the support of coach Blashill and the guidance of his AHL teammates, Rinzel should be able to come back stronger than ever and make a positive impact on the Blackhawks' defense.
The Chicago Blackhawks have sent defensemen Sam Rinzel to the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday, a move that comes after he struggled on the ice for several games. The 21-year-old Minnesota native had fallen down the depth chart and was averaging just 13:42 of ice time per game over the last five contests.
However, coach Jeff Blashill believes that this demotion will be beneficial to Rinzel in the long run, as it gives him a chance to regain his "swagger" with the puck. The Blackhawks' coaching staff wants Rinzel to get back to receiving significant ice time, and they hope that the AHL stint will help him improve defensively.
In the AHL, Rinzel will face stiffer competition than he did in the NHL, where he had struggled to gain traction. Blashill has told Rinzel that this is a "hard league" that requires players to be able to defend smartly with their sticks, rather than relying on physical confrontations.
The Blackhawks have several young defensemen in the AHL who are already making an impact, including Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan. The team's defensive corps is now stacked with NHL-caliber talent, which means that Rinzel will be expected to elevate his game as well.
Rinzel's demotion also means that he will have more opportunities to play in different situations and gain experience against top-level opponents. This could help him develop into a more reliable player for the Blackhawks, who are struggling to find consistency on defense this season.
As the Blackhawks try to turn their season around, they can be expected to make some adjustments to their lineup and defensive scheme. With Rinzel getting his AHL stint under way, it's possible that he could return to Chicago as an improved player in the coming weeks.
The Blackhawks' next game is against the Rangers on Wednesday, and with six defensemen on the roster, coach Blashill has hinted that this may be a traditional 12-forward, six-defenseman lineup. This will give Rinzel and some of the other young players more ice time to work with, and it could help them develop their skills as they prepare for the long stretch ahead.
Overall, while Sam Rinzel's demotion is a setback, it also presents an opportunity for him to regroup and refocus his game. With the support of coach Blashill and the guidance of his AHL teammates, Rinzel should be able to come back stronger than ever and make a positive impact on the Blackhawks' defense.