BIG PLANS: Major Revelation Unveiled for the Chicago Blackhawks

A Look at the Blackhawks’ Defense for Next Season

The Chicago Blackhawks made a small adjustment to their defense on Friday with a trade. They sent the rights to defenseman Victor Soderstrom to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

Although this trade wasn’t a major move, it offered a glimpse into general manager Kyle Davidson’s strategy.

Soderstrom, 24, had a solid season in Sweden, recording 37 points in 49 games. He was acquired by Chicago back in March as part of the Shea Weber contract from Utah. Soderstrom appeared to have regained his form after leaving the Arizona Coyotes and looked like a promising defensive prospect. He could potentially compete for a roster spot with the Bruins, but the Blackhawks’ decision to trade him signals that Davidson is confident in the defense corps he is assembling in Chicago.

What the Blackhawks’ Defense Could Look Like Next Season

Ryan Mast, 22, is a 6-foot-5, 221-pound defenseman who could be a strong fit in Rockford alongside other players in Chicago’s defensive pipeline. Davidson has prioritized larger, physical defenders, and Mast fits that mold perfectly. This focus on bigger, more robust blueliners is evident in the roster shaping up for next season.

The defensemen signed for next year include Alex Vlasic, Connor Murphy, TJ Brodie, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Taige Harding, Ethan Del Mastro, Ryan Mast, and Dmitri Kuzmin. Additionally, Wyatt Kaiser and Louis Crevier are unsigned and could potentially join the mix.

Many of the latter names are likely to fill out the Rockford IceHogs lineup, but the main group of defensemen for the Blackhawks next season appears to be set. Here’s a potential lineup projection:

• Alex Vlasic – Sam Rinzel

• Wyatt Kaiser – Artyom Levshunov

• Kevin Korchinski – Connor Murphy

TJ Brodie, who has been part of buyout rumors, is not included in this projection. Brodie didn’t have a standout performance with Chicago last season, making it unlikely he’ll return next year.

The left side of the defense may need some improvement with players like Wyatt Kaiser and Kevin Korchinski. Ethan Del Mastro, another left-handed defenseman, could also be in the mix for a spot during training camp.