Chicago Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL or NHLPA
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman continues to look on the outside of the lineup after a being healthy scratch
Photo credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sam Rinzel appears to be out of the lineup once again ahead of tomorrow night's game against the Calgary Flames.
When he came into the NHL at the end of last season, Sam Rinzel showed elite skills, generating a lot of hype in Chicago and pressure on his shoulders.
This season, he hasn't been able to bring the same impact to the Hawks' blue line, with only three points, including one goal, in 17 games.
He was notably out of the lineup for the Hawks game on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it appears that he'll once again be a healthy scratch tomorrow in Calgary.
Per Charlie Roumeliotis:
In an interview with The Athletic, Rinzel and Jeff Blashill shared their thoughts on the situation.
Sam Rinzel: "I'm just trying to get back to playing the hockey that I know I can play.»
Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers posted a paper on The Athletic yesterday about the win against the Leafs without Rinzel.
They talked with the player about his struggles, and he had a lot to say.
Here's what he stated about the pressure and the offseason hype:
"It's a lot of outside noise, which happens in the world of hockey and the world of sports. I know who I am as a player, and I know when I'm good that I'm real good.
When I am not moving my feet and when I'm not doing the things that I know I can do, it can be frustrating, and I'm not so good. So (I've) got to get to a good consistency where I know I can get to, and I've just got to be better."
When I am not moving my feet and when I'm not doing the things that I know I can do, it can be frustrating, and I'm not so good. So (I've) got to get to a good consistency where I know I can get to, and I've just got to be better."
About finding momentum back, it's about focusing on the process:
"I think just getting back to the process. I'm not going to do it all in one shift or whatnot, so I just got to get back to moving my feet. You focus on the process. It's frustrating as a player, and you feel like you're letting the team down a little bit.
Seeing it helps, obviously. You know, seeing the bad, it sucks, but you know you have to see it. You have to improve on it, and I know I'm better."
Seeing it helps, obviously. You know, seeing the bad, it sucks, but you know you have to see it. You have to improve on it, and I know I'm better."
He also opened up about the similar stretches he went through earlier in his career and how his love for the game and perfectionism will help him grow:
"I've been through these stretches when I was younger. I was never perfect growing up, and no one is. So I'm just trying to get back to playing the hockey that I know I can play."
"I love this game so much. It's knowing when not to take a break from it, but kind of do something outside the rink, kind of get your mind away from it a little bit or whatnot. I'm a perfectionist, for sure, so I can get really hard on myself as an individual."
"I love this game so much. It's knowing when not to take a break from it, but kind of do something outside the rink, kind of get your mind away from it a little bit or whatnot. I'm a perfectionist, for sure, so I can get really hard on myself as an individual."
As for Blashill, there are two main things he wants to see Rinzel do on the ice, his defensive skills and the mental aspect of the game.
"I think probably the biggest thing with Sam, probably twofold.
One, he has to eliminate some of the scoring chances against. That's just the reality of it.
Then we have to get him back to playing his best. When he plays his best, he controls the puck more."
One, he has to eliminate some of the scoring chances against. That's just the reality of it.
Then we have to get him back to playing his best. When he plays his best, he controls the puck more."
Being scratched for a second game won't be easy for Rinzel, and fans hope to see him back in the lineup, at his best, soon.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
TRENDING NOW
