Chicago Blackhawks finally acquire their number one defenseman in Montreal: Kyle Davidson's a genius

Sam Rinzel is a former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher defenseman. Rinzel was a Hobey Baker Award nominee this past season in 2024-25.

He'd play 40 games in Minnesota and score 32 points (10-22) before making his way to Chicago for only nine games and continuing his production, scoring 5 points (5 A).

For the Blackhawks, the former 25th OA pick in 2022 could end up being the team's top defenseman in the lineup. He's shown after his tryout that he can carry the burdens of a top-pairing defenseman, paying upwards of 20 TOI a night in only nine games.

He'd play a physical, aggressive game, stopping opponents in the neutral zone, cutting the rush off as soon as it began.

While he was once a questionable pick, he's developed into a potential top defenseman in Chicago.

NHL insiders believe that Rinzeld didn't look out of place in his nine-game debut. He showed the poise that many didn't expect, with his awareness and skating standing out to Tony Marchese, giving him an "A."

While no prospect is perfect when they start their career in the NHL, he is a step above the competition and should be a player to watch in training camp, as he's already pegged as another prospect who will make the roster this season.

Rinzel recently signed his ELC contract on March 29th, 2025, and makes $941K AAV against the cap for the next two years.

It'll expire in 2027, rendering him an RFA and giving the Blackhawks control over his rights.

Rinzel has a high ceiling, and he has the chance to show it in the fall, during training camp.