Honestly, with what they said about not really caring about burning a year of his contract, I think he'll probably get like 15 games, probably sit a few just to get some time at practice with the big club as well as being around their trainers and stuff so he can put on more muscle. I truly think he doesnt have anything left to prove at juniors and he would benefit more from being around the team and playing like every other game

Sorry, but I disagree with your assessment. If you watch Korchinski play, he has a lot of work to do on his defensive play in his own zone. The best place for him to work on that is in Seattle, playing big minutes every night. Not playing every other night and getting his butt kicked. He's not an NHL ready defensive player yet. Hawks rushed Boqvist to the NHL and he's still a bad defender. Learn from your mistakes.

I'd be fine bringing Foote in as a depth guy. Merkley has too much baggage for my liking. Don't want him anywhere around our organization.

Where Korchinski really belongs is in Rockford, but given the CHL agreement that's not possible. I don't think he's ready for the NHL, but I don't think he's got anything else to prove in juniors. It's a tough call.

I'm open to Korch getting some NHL time, but with how much I watched him this past season, he still has a lot to learn defensively. Sure, he may be "too good" for the WHL, but he is also "not good enough" for the NHL, either, and he CAN'T go to the AHL. Going back won't hurt him. There is zero need to rush him, but there is all the need in the world to sort through everyone else we have in the system NOW before he gets to the NHL and takes up a spot that could be used to evaluate other young LHD. Also, both him and Bedard are predicted to be pretty darn good. So why line things up where their next contracts are due at the exact same time? CHI has the benefit, RIGHT NOW, of lining up their financial and development windows in such a convenient way that teams RARELY have the opportunity to do. Why not ease their decision making process, while also not rushing players so early in a rebuild? It's a win win, in my opinion. Send him back to the WHL.

Don't be sorry, you're allowed to disagree. I think that's a fine opinion to hold. As others have shared, he belongs in Rockford, but since thats not possible, I think there is value in giving him real NHL experience, and if he gets caved in, absolutely send him back to Seattle. Maybe I read into their quote about burning a contract year too much, and I can't say I've seen him play live outside of the WJC. But I dont think he was ever advertised as being as poor defensively as Boqvist, so I think 3rd line minutes for a few games wouldnt hurt, while learning the everyday lifestyle of an NHL player from guys like Jones and Murphy. Maybe you don't do that for half of a season, maybe you only give it 10-15 games, but I do think the off-ice benefit would be important as well. It's hard to say. But I think his performance in those 9 games/training camp will be the most important driver of the decision