LD Kevin Korchinski - Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (2022, 7th, CHI)

[Bubbles]

Surprised there isn't a thread about him. He's been really lighting up the WHL lately.

Shoots: L
Height: 6'2
Weight: 175
Birthdate: 2004-06-21
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Draft: WHL - SEA (2019) Round: 1 (#10)

Kevin Korchinski at eliteprospects.com

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	SOG	FOW
26	4	19	23	13

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

He had 1G, 3A tonight and 2G, 1A last game.

Click to read more...

 

[NotProkofievian]

I only watched one game of his, but what stood out to me was how much ice he covers. The guy is everywhere.

 

[kyle44]

The way guys like Korchinski, Gustafson and Pickering are playing right now is an example of why I refrain from jumping over scouting services when they have certain players ranked higher than the "consensus".

Many of these folks have been watching these players since Bantam/Midget, have seen their progression, and project based on their skillset; not their statistics. They generally have better insight into these players than most of us on these boards, and if they rank a player high there is usually a reason for it. I was also skeptical of their rankings on some lists, but they are certainly proving them right thus far.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Surprised there isn't a thread about him. He's been really lighting up the WHL lately.

Shoots: L
Height: 6'2
Weight: 175
Birthdate: 2004-06-21
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Draft: WHL - SEA (2019) Round: 1 (#10)

Kevin Korchinski at eliteprospects.com

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	SOG	FOW
26	4	19	23	13

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

He had 1G, 3A tonight and 2G, 1A last game.

Ya I remember Button had him ranked 9th overall in his preseason rankings for 2022 draft.. this most recent one he had him dropped to 27th overall... awesome to see him do so well lately!

Can't wait to see where he gets picked in the draft.

 

[AMScouting]

Significant plays from three games of Korchinski:

 

[covfefe]

Significant plays from three games of Korchinski:

appreciate you

 

[JMac13]

I only watched one game of his, but what stood out to me was how much ice he covers. The guy is everywhere.

Have to agree with this. Kid has to be one of the best skating defenseman in the draft class imo.

 

[covfefe]

Have to agree with this. Kid has to be one of the best skating defenseman in the draft class imo.

He’s a brilliant skater and also, his hands are unbelievable for a D man. Has the puck on a string.

Puts it together in his own zone and he could be a very good player at the next level. There was a similar lack of attention for another Tbirds alum in Shea Theodore, and we all know how that turned out!

 

[GoBoltz56]

Edvinsson-esque in his omnipresence.

 

[LeonTheKing]

I got Shea Theodore vibes.

 

[Bubbles]

He’s a brilliant skater and also, his hands are unbelievable for a D man. Has the puck on a string.

Puts it together in his own zone and he could be a very good player at the next level. There was a similar lack of attention for another Tbirds alum in Shea Theodore, and we all know how that turned out!

Maybe Seattle is too far for scouts to go? Barzal was also underrated.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

When TBirds drafted him, they said they are expecting him to be another Shea Theodore type and put up huge offensive numbers... so far so good

 

[DANOZ28]

if hes available in the 2nd rnd i'd take a hard look at drafting him , i don't think i'd part with a 1st. just my opinion.

 

[Bubbles]

Has very quietly passed Mateychuk in scoring.

 

[vildurson]

Gives me bigger version of Zellweger vibes. Similar strengths. Good pace of play, High end skating. Kind of a weak shot. Not the most deceptive hands. Not overly physical despite size. Good compete. Has size edge when compared to Zellweger but otherwise they feel like a similar toolkit so far. I am betting around 15-20 mark for him in this year's draft.

 

[wetcoast]

Maybe Seattle is too far for scouts to go? Barzal was also underrated.

I don't think that Barzal was "under rated" it was just that people expected more form him and he was injured in his draft year and scored so few goals in the W up until his draft considering his skillset, especially his skating skills.

Ironically his NHL career has gone the same way, huge expectations from his rookie year to now people asking if he has lost his way a bit.

 

[S E P H]

Freaking awesome player. I question his puck decision at times, I think he tends to try and force the play too much. I am also not a huge fan how he comes across defensively at times (especially in the defensive corners). However, he has all the tools you want to see for a two-way defender. Brilliant skater for his size, can walk the blueline in any direction, loves jumping up, and skating with the puck. His swagger is one of his best attributes and I don't mean he is prick, but I think he has certain level of cockiness that fits into the type of player he wants to be. His point totals aren't a fluke, he absolutely deserved being around PPG and I am very intrigued in how he develops when he gets more experience and meat on his frame. He can become a very tough player to handle if he's able to keep his mobility with some more toughness. Reminds me of John Klingberg and I think he can reach a similar level of talent in his game.

 

[ORRFForever]

I would love to see him taken in the Top 15.

 

[S E P H]

I would love to see him taken in the Top 15.

It's interesting because you have someone like Luneau who is consistently rising in the rankings on all lists. I actually think he's a pretty dang well-rounded and potential defender, but then Korchinski comes around, which I argue has a higher level of play and he's being ranked around the late first round.

 

[Get North]

He is too erratic for me. I don't see him making the NHL with his current body, skating and habits on the ice. 1 hand on the stick quite often just desperately outskating his opponents. He's good at keep away, but he's like a complete 180 from a player like Mintyukov.

If Korchinski makes the NHL, he will be a lot of fun to watch. But I don't see a player like that in today's league.

 

[S E P H]

If Korchinski makes the NHL, he will be a lot of fun to watch. But I don't see a player like that in today's league.

I'd say he has a better chance of making it in the modern game than in the 90s where he would've been exposed more.

 

[ORRFForever]

It's interesting because you have someone like Luneau who is consistently rising in the rankings on all lists. I actually think he's a pretty dang well-rounded and potential defender, but then Korchinski comes around, which I argue has a higher level of play and he's being ranked around the late first round.

There are no players that blow you a way (not even Wright) but a LARGE of players who could really surprise to the upside.

 

[JMac13]

My first impressions of Korchinski were wow. Good size, magnificent skater (especially laterally), active all over the ice, involved in a lot of points... The more I've watched him though the more doubt has crept into my mind about his upside and I think some of those were highlighted in his struggles during the top prospects game.

I think his skating covers up a lot of deficiencies he may not get away with at the next level where the pace of play is much quicker. He relies way too much on it to skate pucks up ice or move around in the ozone. I've witnessed several times a game where another fast guy keeps up with him and he doesn't know what to do. I've watched 5 full games of his so far this year (including the top prospects game) and have notes in 3 of them that say he made at least one poor decision with the puck that directly led to a goal against.

It is hard to tell if this is a chicken or egg thing though. Is his skating so good he's not used to being put in poor positions and will adjust with more practice or is this representative of a slow processor and it won't be something he'll be able to overcome?

Definitely an intriguing prospect however because without a doubt his tools are top notch. Will be curious to see how he develops.

 

[ORRFForever]

My first impressions of Korchinski were wow. Good size, magnificent skater (especially laterally), active all over the ice, involved in a lot of points... The more I've watched him though the more doubt has crept into my mind about his upside and I think some of those were highlighted in his struggles during the top prospects game.

I think his skating covers up a lot of deficiencies he may not get away with at the next level where the pace of play is much quicker. He relies way too much on it to skate pucks up ice or move around in the ozone. I've witnessed several times a game where another fast guy keeps up with him and he doesn't know what to do. I've watched 5 full games of his so far this year (including the top prospects game) and have notes in 3 of them that say he made at least one poor decision with the puck that directly led to a goal against.

It is hard to tell if this is a chicken or egg thing though. Is his skating so good he's not used to being put in poor positions and will adjust with more practice or is this representative of a slow processor and it won't be something he'll be able to overcome?

Definitely an intriguing prospect however because without a doubt his tools are top notch. Will be curious to see how he develops.

Some team will give him a chance (as either a 1st or 2nd) and then it's up to him.

 

[landy92mack29]

My first impressions of Korchinski were wow. Good size, magnificent skater (especially laterally), active all over the ice, involved in a lot of points... The more I've watched him though the more doubt has crept into my mind about his upside and I think some of those were highlighted in his struggles during the top prospects game.

I think his skating covers up a lot of deficiencies he may not get away with at the next level where the pace of play is much quicker. He relies way too much on it to skate pucks up ice or move around in the ozone. I've witnessed several times a game where another fast guy keeps up with him and he doesn't know what to do. I've watched 5 full games of his so far this year (including the top prospects game) and have notes in 3 of them that say he made at least one poor decision with the puck that directly led to a goal against.

It is hard to tell if this is a chicken or egg thing though. Is his skating so good he's not used to being put in poor positions and will adjust with more practice or is this representative of a slow processor and it won't be something he'll be able to overcome?

Definitely an intriguing prospect however because without a doubt his tools are top notch. Will be curious to see how he develops.

He's been that way since Bantam, even made him a forward in Midget for a bit because he was so bad. Whenever pressured panics and makes bad decisions. Large amount of his points are also a product of role(Heavy PP/2ndary assists) but his size+skating will intrigue teams. If used in the right role can be effective and get points(3rd pairing sheltered minutes/PP specialist) but he's not a player who'll win you a cup like the Guhles/Schneiders.