If the Chicago Blackhawks are leaving a bitter taste in fans’ mouths, then the Rockford IceHogs are the palate cleanser. Chicago’s AHL affiliate has started to round out its game, and the results are showing on the scoreboard. At the time of the previous IceHogs article, Rockford had a record of 3–7–0. Since then, the Hogs went on a 3–1–1 stretch, with their lone loss coming in a game where Frank Nazar was inactive due to personal reasons. Now at 6–8–1, Rockford looks to keep their momentum going once they come back home on Friday to play the Chicago Wolves.
What’s working
The surge in production from the Hogs is not a random coincidence; it is the result of improved play across the board.
Avoiding the penalty box
Marcel Marcel lands a hit to knock a Texas Stars player off the puck while avoiding a penalty. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
Fourteen games into the season, Rockford has successfully avoided the penalty box. With only 179 penalty minutes, the Hogs have the second-fewest penalty minutes in the Central Division, trailing only the aforementioned Wolves. Incredible discipline is being shown by one of the youngest teams in the AHL, and it is fueling the recent success of the team.
Scoring is spreading out
Brett Seney jumps for joy after scoring against the Manitoba Moose. (Photo courtesy of Jenna Spanola / Rockford IceHogs)
At the time of the previous Icehogs article, scoring was limited to Nazar. Although Nazar still leads the team in goals and assists, scoring is starting to spread to the rest of the roster. The most evident improvement is coming from Cole Guttman. With six goals and 11 points on the season, Guttman is now second on the team in goals and tied for second in points with Colton Dach. Along with Guttman, Brett Seney has started to fill up the scoresheet, now with nine points in 15 games. The final player to mention in his scoring improvements is Landon Slaggert. Although only lighting the lamp once this season, he is currently tied for second in assists on Rockford with seven. As the season goes on, the Hogs hope the scoring continues to come from multiple players to allow the team to be a scoring threat with every line.
Defensive consistency
Defensemen Isaak Phillips and Ethan Del Mastro defend the net in Rockford’s 5–2 win over the Texas Stars. (Photo courtesy of Rashaad Robinson / Rockford IceHogs)
In their last five games, Rockford has given up only 12 goals, averaging giving up just over two goals per game. A strong improvement over their first nine contests, defensemen young and old are improving on the defensive side of the ice. Defenseman like Ethan Del Mastro, Colin Felix and Cavan Fitzgerald are holding it down, while other defensemen like Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov are seeing improvements in their game while going through growing pains. These factors show an improved team, and if these improvements continue, a strong showing in the Calder Cup Playoffs should be a reality.
The Frank Nazar controversy
Frank Nazar goes glove side, continuing his offensive firepower in the AHL. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Ostrowski / Rockford IceHogs)
Any Blackhawks fan who has spent a few seconds on social media has probably heard the call from fans to bring Nazar up to the NHL. The 20-year-old center has dominated so far in his first full professional season, and the lack of scoring in Chicago has created a sense of desperation from fans. Although the idea has its appeal, the call-up could prove to benefit no one.
In the IceHogs’ case, losing their best forward would halt all momentum the team has. Already, Rockford has seen what the team looks like without Nazar in their 4–0 loss to the Wolves. Many forwards on this Hogs squad rely on Nazar for their production and development, and to lose him would set many players, and the team, back.
In Nazar’s case, moving up to face better competition while on a struggling team could prove counterproductive. Nazar has benefitted from first-line minutes in Rockford, so reducing his minutes in Chicago could frustrate his game. Maybe he could find time on the second line with the Hawks, perhaps the first line, but facing the best forwards on an NHL roster could be disastrous. There is no guarantee he would maintain the same ice time in Chicago, and there is no guarantee he would have the same success in the NHL that he has experienced in Rockford, so further development in the AHL may be his greatest benefit for the long term.
In the Blackhawks’ case, Nazar could prove to be one of the best centers on the roster. However, with forward lineups being shaken up constantly in order to find some production, throwing in a young center who needs minutes to find form may rock an already turbulent boat. If Nazar does not improve scoring on the Hawks, then an already frustrating situation could exasperate, to the benefit of no one.
Analysis
Landon Slaggert, Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov give fans reason to be excited about the Blackhawks’ future. (Photo courtesy of Rashaad Robinson / Rockford IceHogs)
In the previous IceHogs article, and in previous episodes of The Rinkcast, it had been pointed out that the inconsistency of the Hogs came from the lack of games compared to the rest of the league. Now having caught up to the rest of the league in games played, the results are speaking for themselves. Earning seven of a possible 10 points in their last five games, the IceHogs are proving to be a team to watch. Mistakes will be made by young players early in their professional careers, but improvements also will be made. There is reason to be excited, even when the ugly mistakes are made. With five days off between their last game on Saturday against the Texas Stars and their next game against the Wolves on Friday, fans should take this time to catch up with all things Hogs. With Chicago giving many Hawks fans nothing to cheer for, Rockford should give fans excitement for the long-term future of the Blackhawks.