Chicago Blackhawks Assess Defense Corps: Quality vs. Quantity

The Chicago Blackhawks have been focusing on their defensive corps for the past five years, starting with the selection of Nolan Allan 32nd overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. As the team accumulated defensive prospects, Allan was eventually traded to the San Jose Sharks due to a surplus of players in Chicago. The 2025-26 season highlighted significant struggles for the Blackhawks, particularly in transitioning the puck out of their defensive zone, where they ranked 27th in the NHL for time spent in their own end. This poor performance contributed to their last-place finish in total shots on goal, with only 2,016 attempts throughout the season. The question now arises: does the quantity of young defensemen correlate with the quality needed for success, or should the front office be concerned? Alex Vlasic, who just turned 25, stands out as a potential leader among the young defensemen. He had a solid season with 21 points in 81 games and averaged 21:04 in ice time, although he faced challenges in maintaining his top-pairing status. Sam Rinzel, drafted 25th overall in 2022, showed promise with 14 points in 54 NHL games but struggled initially before regaining confidence in the AHL. Meanwhile, Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick in 2024, faced difficulties in his defensive play but has the potential to develop into a top-tier defenseman. The Chicago Blackhawks are at a crossroads, needing to determine how to best utilize their young talent moving forward.