Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Manages two assists in loss
Rotowire
Rinzel recorded two assists, three blocked shots and a minus-3 rating in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Sabres.
Rinzel has three helpers over three games since he was made a healthy scratch last Saturday versus the Maple Leafs. The 21-year-old blueliner has operated as the Blackhawks' seventh defenseman, resulting in a large drop in ice time from where he was at early in the season. He's up to six points, 29 shots on net, 26 blocked shots, 18 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-2 rating through 20 appearances. Rinzel has the talent to play a larger role, but he'll need to string together some good performances to stake a claim to more ice time.
... See More... See Less
Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Hands out helper
Rotowire
Rinzel notched an assist, 10 PIM and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Flames.
The helper snapped a 10-game point drought for Rinzel, who was a healthy scratch Saturday versus the Maple Leafs. The 21-year-old defenseman started the season as a top-pairing option, but he's now operating as the seventh blueliner when the Blackhawks choose to dress seven defensemen. Fantasy managers who were banking on Rinzel being the next big thing will either have to be patient or look for a replacement, as his current role isn't fantasy-friendly. He's at four points, 27 shots on net, 18 hits, 22 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 18 appearances, and he still has plenty of long-term appeal for managers in dynasty formats.
... See More... See Less
Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Nets first NHL goal
Rotowire
Rinzel scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Canadiens.
The second-period tally was Rinzel's first point of the season and the first goal of his NHL career. This was his 12th appearance, and he's quickly established himself as one of the Blackhawks' top blueliners. Through three outings this year, he's picked up a goal, five shots on net, seven blocked shots and a minus-1 rating while skating with Alex Vlasic on the top pairing.
... See More... See Less
Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Adds power-play assist Tuesday
Rotowire
Rinzel notched a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Senators.
Rinzel hit the ground running at the NHL level, earning five assists over his first nine games. His last three helpers came on the power play. The 20-year-old University of Minnesota product should have an inside track to an NHL job, including top-four minutes and power-play time, to begin 2025-26. Fantasy managers in redraft formats should consider him a sleeper option -- if he quarterbacks the top power-play unit, he'll get enough offense to be useful.
... See More... See Less
Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Earns first NHL assist
Rotowire
Rinzel notched an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Penguins.
Rinzel needed four games to earn his first NHL point. The 20-year-old defenseman has immediately stepped into a top-pairing role alongside Alex Vlasic. Rinzel has added 11 shots on net, seven hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over four appearances since signing out of the University of Minnesota, where he had 32 points in 40 contests as a sophomore this season.
... See More... See Less
Blackhawks' Sam Rinzel: Inks entry-level contract
Rotowire
Rinzel signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Saturday, per PuckPedia.
The Blackhawks selected Rinzel 25th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman had 10 goals and 22 assists across 40 games with the University of Minnesota during his 2024-25 sophomore season. He could make his NHL debut against Utah on Sunday.
