Chicago Blackhawks Assign Struggling Defenseman Sam Rinzel to Minors
The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned struggling defenseman Sam Rinzel to the minors, the team announced on Monday. Rinzel, 21, is considered one of the team’s top prospects, but he has struggled to find his footing this season. After making a successful NHL debut last season, Rinzel has just one goal and seven assists in 28 games, averaging 16½ minutes of ice time per game.
According to NHL.com, Rinzel was selected by the Blackhawks in the first round of the 2022 draft. He made his Blackhawks debut on March 30, finishing with no goals and five assists in nine games. Despite his promising start, Rinzel has failed to replicate that success this season, leading to his demotion to the minors. The 6-foot-4 defenseman will look to regain his form and work his way back to the NHL.
Blackhawks’ Recent Struggles
The Blackhawks have dropped eight of their last 10 games, including a 1-2-1 road trip where they were outscored 13-1 in their last two games. The team is currently 12-11-6 and will look to turn things around on Wednesday night against the New York Rangers. As reported by ESPN, the Blackhawks are in need of a spark, and the assignment of Rinzel to the minors may be a step in the right direction.
In addition to Rinzel, the Blackhawks also sent forward Landon Slaggert to Rockford of the American Hockey League. Slaggert, 23, has one goal and no assists in 10 games with Chicago this season. He was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft and will look to develop his skills in the minors.
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As the Blackhawks look to turn their season around, they will rely on their young players to step up and make an impact. With Rinzel and Slaggert in the minors, the team will look to other players to fill the void and provide a spark. According to the Blackhawks’ official website, the team is committed to developing their young players and giving them the opportunity to succeed at the NHL level.
