READY TO BREAK OUT: CENTRAL DIVISION

BY JARED CLINTON

There have been easier jobs for NHL rookie defensemen than top-four duty on a shudderingly bad roster, but that didn’t stop the Blackhawks from throwing KEVIN KORCHINSKI into the deep end. That Korchinski managed to keep his head above water is commendable, and the Hawks hope that the hard lessons he learned this season will allow him to flourish as a 20-year-old in 2024-25. His puck-moving acumen is an incredible and exploitable asset for a team short on out-and-out offensive skill. Though only four of JUSTUS ANNUNEN’S 14 games this season came against playoff clubs, the Avs must be salivating at the thought of a cost-controlled keeper sliding into 1B duty. Annunen, 24, posted a 2.25 GAA and .928 SP, much better marks than starter Alexandar Georgiev (3.02, .897) or waiver…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Champions Issue 2024

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