The month of January was not kind to the Rockford IceHogs. The constant moving of players started to catch up with the young squad.
The January timeline started not with a transaction, but with an injury. Forward Gavin Hayes, who has impressed many, fell to injury on Jan. 3. His timeline to return was announced at 8–12 weeks, a tough blow for the young prospect and the team.
The timeline of moves continued with an addition on Jan. 5. The IceHogs acquired defenseman Matteo Pietroniro. Pietroniro, a 26-year-old left-shot defenseman, last with the Toronto Marlies, was brought in to stabilize the bottom pairing of a constantly changing roster.
Ten days later, the Chicago Blackhawks swapped left-handed defensemen with the Winnipeg Jets, trading Isaak Phillips for Dmitry Kuzmin. Kuzmin, a fellow countryman of Artyom Levshunov, plays a similar game to recently acquired Pietroniro.
Over a week later, on Jan. 23, standout defenseman Ethan Del Mastro was recalled to Chicago, with the Blackhawks sending down Wyatt Kaiser in a corresponding move. Del Mastro proved to be a solid defensive defenseman while with Rockford this season, earning his time with the NHL team.
Finally, on Jan. 25, the Blackhawks recalled forward Landon Slaggert. Slaggert, another young, interesting forward prospect who spent this season in Rockford, had 10 goals and 15 assists in 39 games with the Hogs this season.
All of these moves created a hectic month for the Hogs. This timeline does not account for the movement of players like D.J. King, Ryan Gagnier and Kyle Maksimovich between Rockford and their ECHL affiliate, the Indy Fuel, throughout the month.
Regarding all of the call-ups, interim head coach Mark Eaton had some encouraging comments about his players.
“Things happen up top … guys are doing the right things down here and getting rewarded for it,” Eaton said.
“It’s good for those guys that have earned that opportunity, and for the guys down here, it’s an example of what it takes to get that call.”
Despite call-ups giving the team some bumps in the road, Eaton, who also serves as the assistant general manager of the Blackhawks, makes it clear that call-ups have been earned. His comments emphasized how important it is for other prospects to see success in the AHL being rewarded with trips to the NHL.
Analysis
Kevin Korchinski, one of two IceHogs to be selected to the 2024 AHL All-Star team. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
Losing players like Del Mastro and Slaggert last month, to go along with the losses of forwards like Frank Nazar and Colton Dach, has shown their side effects. Even with missing multiple games, Dach and Slaggert remain tied for third in points for Rockford, with Nazar still at fourth.
The proof of these moves effects are showing on the ice. In the month of January, the Hogs went 3–6–2, including a five-game losing streak to end the month. Following their fifth straight loss on Jan. 31, Eaton talked about what has led to the recent struggles.
“I don’t think it’s been consistent enough … I’m not sure we’ve strung a complete game together where everyone’s going every line, getting goaltending all at once,” Eaton said.
“If we’re going to have success … we need everybody from start to finish … we can’t spot teams one goal before we wake up or only play 40 minutes.”
In their final game before the AHL All-Star break on Feb. 1, Rockford seemed to wake up and play 60-plus minutes in a highly emotional tilt against the Milwaukee Admirals, winning 5–4 in a shootout, entering the break on a much-needed high note.
It is not all doom and gloom in the Screw City. At fifth in the Central Division, the IceHogs would qualify for the AHL playoffs if the season ended today. With a nine-point lead over the sixth-place Iowa Wild, Rockford should find themselves in the playoffs despite the tough stretch. Come playoff time, Rockford could get reinforcements back from Chicago, which would give ample playoff opportunity for multiple Blackhawks prospects.
Remaining on the positive side, Rockford sent two players to the AHL All-Star game in Coachella Valley. Forward Cole Guttman, who leads the Hogs in points, and defenseman Kevin Korchinski, who leads all Rockford defensemen in points, got the nod. Despite Guttman being considered a replacement for Nazar, he earned the right to represent the organization. With Korchinski getting the call, it should give Blackhawks fans hope in his continued development. After a difficult NHL season, Korchinski has thrived in Rockford, with his stint in Chicago earlier this season being proof that he has progressed well.
Final thoughts
Top prospect Artyom Levshunov will be one of many Hogs in the spotlight for the remainder of the season. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
Previous articles haves referred to how difficult the Central Division is. With teams like the Grand Rapid Griffins, Texas Stars, Chicago Wolves and Admirals, constantly facing the division gauntlet with significant roster change has shown to be difficult. With six days between games, Rockford looks to get healthy, get collected, and come out of the gate strong for the remainder of the season. The Hogs’ season resumes on Friday in Texas against the Stars.