Sam Rinzel

21-Year-Old DefensemanD
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Rinzel spent most of the past season at the University of Minnesota, where he had 10 goals and 22 assists in 40 games, but did get nine games in the NHL after his collegiate season ended. He flashed loads of potential in those nine outings, picking up five assists while averaging over 23 minutes of ice time. The 21-year-old also quarterbacked the top power-play unit, where he had three of his five assists. It remains to be seen if the 2022 first-round pick will hold that same role next season, considering all of the potential options on the roster; however, if he does, Rinzel's ceiling and fantasy potential are sky-high. Like with most of the Blackhawks' young defensemen, there is some risk in case he struggles out of the gate and gets sent down to the AHL, but Rinzel hasn't played a game there yet, and if he continues to build on the good start from last season, he likely never will. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in March of 2025.
Adds power-play assist Tuesday
DChicago Blackhawks
April 16, 2025
Rinzel notched a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Senators.
ANALYSIS
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.
Read More News
NHL Stats
Loading Skater Stats...
2024 NHL Game Log
2024
2024 NHL Game Log
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    23:22
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    2:24
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    1:30
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2024–25
23:22
2:24
1:30
Blackhawks Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Blackhawks Power Play Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sam Rinzel See More
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sam Rinzel See More
More Fantasy News
Earns first NHL assist
DChicago Blackhawks
April 6, 2025
Rinzel notched an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Penguins.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Inks entry-level contract
DChicago Blackhawks
March 29, 2025
Rinzel signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Saturday, per PuckPedia.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Named defensive standout
DChicago Blackhawks
March 18, 2025
Rinzel was announced as the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Slumping offensively
DChicago Blackhawks
February 16, 2025
Rinzel has one assist in his last eight appearances with the University of Minnesota.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Big, raw defender goes 25th overall
DChicago Blackhawks
July 7, 2022
Rinzel was selected 25th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Might turn pro
DChicago Blackhawks
March 28, 2025
Rinzel could sign an entry-level deal with the Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports Friday.
ANALYSIS
Rinzel became eligible to sign an entry-level deal when the University of Minnesota lost to UMass in overtime Thursday. The 20-year-old defenseman put up fantastic numbers with the Gophers this year, recording 10 goals and 22 helpers in 40 appearances, including one assist and two shots in Thursday's NCAA tournament defeat. If he does ink an entry-level deal, Rinzel could immediately make the jump to the professional ranks against Utah on Sunday.
See All NHL Rumors