2/5/2026: The Blackhawks reassigned Rinzel back to Rockford today, returning him to the AHL in time for the Olympic break.
Rinzel played in three NHL games during his most recent recall, tallying one goal. Notably, his ice time was up considerably from his last NHL stint. In his final game of his recall, against the Blue Jackets yesterday, he played nearly 26 minutes.
1/30/2026: The Chicago Blackhawks have made a move to fortify their blue-line. Top prospect Sam Rinzel has been recalled to the NHL, putting him on the Blackhawks roster for the first time in 2026. This move comes amid a quiet spell for fellow top youngster Artyom Levshunov, who was on the ice for five goals against in Thursday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Attention will hone in on which young defender Chicago decides to roll out with three games left on their schedule before the Olympic break. Levshunov has struggled through much of January. In 15 games since the new year, he has been on the ice for 16 goals-against, while only posting three points of his own. The only Blackhawk to see more goals is Levshunov’s defense partner, Wyatt Kaiser, who has been on the ice for 17 goals-against.
Levshunov has recorded 21 points and a minus-27 in 52 games on the year. His scoring is up, but his plus-minus is down, from the six points and minus-13 that Levshunov recorded in 18 games last season. Even with the pit he’s in, Levshunov has still averaged 19 minutes of ice time each game, emphasizing that Chicago hasn’t lost faith in their former second-overall talent.
With this move, Chicago will open the door to potentially resting Levshunov for the short-term, while giving Rinzel another chance to stamp his spot in the NHL lineup. The Blackhawks assigned Rinzel to the AHL after he scored just eight points in 28 games to start the season. His first stint in the minors got off to a roaring start – with Rinzel scoring seven points in his first four AHL games – but it has quieted down as of late. Rinzel has scored only three points in his last 15 games, bringing his totals with the Rockford IceHogs up to 10 points and a minus-10 in 19 games. It’s another cold spell that Chicago is hoping to snap with this roster move. Rinzel scored five points in the first nine games of his NHL career at the end of the 2024-25 season. He has shown strong sparks that could help lift Chicago out of their recent four-game losing streak.
Its such a delicate balance. Rinzel and Lesh will be good pros. Tampa does it so well teaching d how to be pros. Not o ly the nuances but the mental and conditioning…habits etc.
Its a journey. Hope those guys are kind to themselves.
More likely we’re back to 11-7 until the break is over.
Chicago needs to use Rinzel on the 1st PP unit the way it’s been going. They can carry 7 d men and dress 6 with 1 guy out every 6 games. Murphy needs to play every game ? Maybe Kaiser also needs a break once in a while after his -5 last night.
They can claim Iorio and send either Levshunov or Rinzel down . They will get less offense, but likely better defense.
Hopefully they’re close to moving Murphy and brought up Rinzel as his replacement.
Definitely possible. Depends on just how serious Davidson thinks the Hawks Playoff chances actually are. The Hawks aren’t getting anything they REALLY need by moving Murphy. What are you gonna get a 4th round draft pick? When you have 2 firsts and 3 seconds his year alone? Some of who will most likely get moved to get KD his 3 first round picks he loves to pull off. I can make a case for it either way. Murphy isn’t hindering anything being done with his salary. If the offer is that lame why move him at all. He won’t be back either way in all probability. What the Hawks really need is playing time for young prospects to see how they fare against NHL talent.