The Vancouver Canucks are one of the NHL's most-talked-about teams in the rumor mill.
It is understandable, as the Canucks are in the middle of a rebuild and have multiple trade candidates to watch. Among the Canucks who have been creating chatter early on this campaign as potential trade chips include Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk, and Drew O'Connor.
While the Canucks are rebuilding, they should also be open to adding young players who could help them both in the present and the future. Due to this, an NHL insider is connecting Vancouver to an intriguing young defenseman from the Chicago Blackhawks.
In a recent article for Sportsnet, Nick Kypreos named the Canucks as a team that could look to take a gamble on former Blackhawks first-round pick Kevin Korchinski.
"His development has been stunted, but the Hawks do not want to send him to the AHL because he'd have to go through waivers, where he'd surely be claimed," Kypreos wrote about Korchinski. "He's the type of guy Vancouver or Calgary would take a chance on. A project player at this point."
With the Canucks rebuilding, it makes sense that Kypreos is connecting them to Korchinski. The 2022 seventh-overall pick is in need of a fresh start and is exactly the kind of young defenseman the Canucks should take a gamble on.
Korchinski has been scratched often this season by the Blackhawks. He has played in just three games for the Original Six club this campaign, where he has one assist. This comes after he had two assists in 13 games with the Blackhawks during the 2025-26 season.
Korchinski spent most of last season in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, where he had two goals and 26 points in 53 games. This was after he had three goals and 27 points in 56 games for Rockford in 2024-25. Overall, the 6-foot-3 defenseman has shown promise at the AHL level and could be worth taking a flier on for the Canucks.
Korchinski could thrive in a more significant role with the Canucks
Although Korchinski has had trouble finding his fit in the Blackhawks' crowded blueline, he would likely have a better of receiving more playing time on a team like the Canucks. With Vancouver rebuilding, they are in a prime position to take a chance on a young defenseman with good upside like Korchinski. Thus, they would likely give him every opportunity to succeed if they brought him in.
Getting consistent playing time on a team like the Canucks could help Korchinski unlock his potential. He is still young enough that he could develop into an impactful NHL defenseman. Due to this, Vancouver should not be afraid to take a chance on him. This remains the case whether Chicago makes him available for trade or places him on waivers.
In 108 career NHL games over four seasons, Korchinski has posted six goals, 14 assists, and 20 points.
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