Connor Bedard has 26 points this season<\/a> while seeing a variety of linemates like Andr\u00e9 Burakovsky, Ryan Greene, Tyler Bertuzzi and others. The offense has ramped up overall as they average 3.28 goals for per game, seventh in the NHL.<\/p>\n The forwards are getting the goods with one less position player, but what about the defensemen? An extra skater on their side means at least one defenseman will get the short end of the playing time stick.<\/p>\n Sam Rinzel skated for 11:29 in the Hawks\u2019 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils<\/a>. During the road trip, Connor Murphy\u2019s ice time was as high as 13:41 (at Detroit Red Wings) and as low as 8:30 (at Seattle Kraken).<\/p>\n It\u2019s an adjustment for sure, one that even the consistent defensemen are feeling \u2014 but they are also seeing the benefits.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a chemistry thing (and) getting used to who you\u2019re out there with,\u201d defenseman Alex Vlasic said. \u201cIt allows for variability (and) change within the lineup.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can put whoever you want out there with each other. The coaches are trying to figure out the lineups that they want too, so that gives them the ability to mix things up.\u201d<\/p>\n It applies less to Vlasic than to other defensemen, but when they get less playing time, it can take a mental toll. Artyom Levshunov needed to take a game off<\/a> to regroup this year, and Rinzel was a healthy scratch Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n When they\u2019re next in line for fewer minutes, the defensemen come up with methods to get involved off the ice. Having this effect, though, takes some time.<\/p>\n \u201cYou find ways to stay in the game on the bench,\u201d defenseman Wyatt Kaiser said. \u201cIt\u2019s a learned skill, just like anything in hockey.<\/p>\n \u201cTake a guy who\u2019s used to playing a ton of minutes and now he\u2019s playing less minutes, it can be tough to adjust right away because you\u2019re (used to) going and playing hockey. Now it\u2019s \u2018how do I stay in the game?’\u201d<\/p>\n Hawks coach Jeff Blashill has noted the cons of running seven-defensemen lineups, including a change of the rhythm among the lines. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say there\u2019s no rhythm, but it\u2019s a different rhythm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n It has also earned them a 9-5-4 record, so the 11-7 lineup won\u2019t be abandoned anytime soon. As the season goes on, the defenseman will likely come to learn and excel with seven.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not put out there as much, you have a little bit more time to sit there and kind of think about the mistakes you might have made or the shift that you had,\u201d Vlasic said. \u201cIt can definitely be a little bit challenging when you\u2019re not getting as many minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cBut like I said, I think when everybody\u2019s right around the same level of minutes, it allows everybody to have more energy.\u201d<\/p>\n Practice notes Team captain Nick Foligno<\/a> (hand\/wrist) was officially placed on injured reserve on Monday after blocking a shot in the second period on Saturday against the Maple Leafs<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CTC-Z-Blackhawks-Kraken-Hockey_246267172.jpg\")
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno headbutts a puck into the net during warmups before a game against the Seattle Kraken on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Jason Redmond)<\/p>\n