Blackhawks place starting goaltender IR

The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso , per Charlie Roumeliotis of Chicagos WGN Radio.

The duo will help fill in for starting goaltender Petr Mrazek and top-four defender Alec Martinez .

Both players left Chicagos Saturday game early with injury Mrazek after getting his legs swept from under him, and Martines after a deflected shot found its way under his visor.

Roumeliotis adds that Mrazek has been moved to injured reserve with a left-groin injury.

With Martinez joining top Hawks defender Seth Jones on the list of injuries, Chicago will give top prospect Korchinski another chance to establish an NHL role.

The 20-year-old spent the entirety of last season on the NHL roster amid a severe lack of defense depth.

He recorded five goals, 15 points and a -39 in 76 games prompting Chicago to start him in the minors this year.

Thats proven the right move early on, with Korchinski leading Rockford IceHogs defenseman in scoring with two goals and 11 points in 21 games.

Hes served a top-line role for Rockford and seems to be gaining more and more confidence on the puck, with routine highlights showing him driving play from end to end.

This call-up likely wont guarantee Korchinski minutes.

Hell have to first earn a role over Nolan Allan and Wyatt Kaiser assuming Chicago doesnt play any of their defenders on their off-hand.

Allan has proven a stout fill-in amid injuries, with four assists and a -5 through 20 games this season.

Kaiser has been far less productive, boasting just one assist, 14 penalty minutes, and a -1 in 25 games.

Korchisnkis scoring upside could be enough to earn minutes, but hell likely have to quickly take advantage of the opportunities hes provided.

Commesso has spent the last two seasons splitting starts in Rockford.

He found his way into the role of de facto starter last year his first professional season stepping into 38 games and recording 18 wins and a .906 save percentage.

He narrowly beat out Jaxson Stauber in ice time and save percentage with Stauber posting a .902 in 31 games but Commesso hasnt found the same success this year.

Hes lost the majority share of starts to three-year pro Mitchell Weeks , who has a .901 save percentage in 12 starts to Commessos .879 in 10 starts.

Both netminders have four wins.

Mrazeks forced week-long absence should give Commesso a chance to earn his NHL debut.

Meanwhile, Rockford has recalled ECHL starter Benjamin Gaudreau to help support the AHL lineup in Commessos absence.

Gaudreau another top goalie prospect in his draft year has set a 5-5-2 record and .907 save percentage in his first 12 pro games this season.

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