Why are we posting a Rockford IceHogs roster prediction in late July?
Why?
Because just like you, we here at The-Rink cannot wait for hockey season to begin. While it is still pre-Chicago Blackhawks convention time, there is still much to talk about in the weeks between the conclusion of Development Camp and Training Camp in September.
With that in mind, the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Blackhawks will have a great deal of difficult roster decisions to make between now and the opening of the NHL and AHL seasons. There are obvious spots on the Blackhawks that are already locked in, but for the most part the bottom-six forwards group and the lower-pairings of the defensive group have a bit of fluidity to them.
With the roster as it is currently constructed on July 24, here is my predicted roster breakdown for the Rockford IceHogs when puck drops on the October 5 season opener in Cleveland.
Predicting IceHogs Forwards
The IceHogs will look rather familiar at the forward group going into the 2018-19 season. Losing players like Vince Hinostroza, Tomas Jurco, and Chris DiDomenico this offseason opens a couple of roster spots that were filled last season, open again. As far as the Blackhawks go, I would foresee players like John Hayden, David Kampf, Victor Ejdsell, and Domink Kahun starting the 2018-19 season with the NHL club in Chicago.
- Tyler Sikura (2017-18: 23 G, 16 A)
- Anthony Louis (2017-18: 14 G, 30 A)
- Luke Johnson (2017-18: 13 G, 17 A)
- Andreas Martinsen (2017-18: 12 G, 18 A)
- Nathan Noel (2017-18: 1 G, 0 A)
- Henrik Samuelsson (2017-18: 9 G, 3 A)
- Graham Knott (2017-18: 4 G, 5A)
Anthony Louis of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)
- William Pelletier (2017-18: 14 G, 15 A)
- Matheson Iacopelli (2017-18: 11 G, 8 A)
- Jacob Nilsson (2017-18 with Mora IK: 8 G, 10 A)
- Alexandre Fortin (2017-18: 4 G, 17 A)
- Matthew Highmore (2017-18: 24 G, 19 A)
- Jordan Schroeder (2017-18 with Cleveland: 14 G, 22 A)
- Jordan Maletta (2017-18 with Cleveland and Tucson: 0 G, 4 A)
Returning last season’s points lead in Anthony Louis, along with leading goal-scorers Matthew Highmore and Tyler Sikura will give Rockford a significant amount of scoring power to begin the season. But much like the impact that Hinostroza had with the IceHogs to begin last season, those three names would be the first three to be expected to move up to the Blackhawks if they get off to hot starts or there are needs because of injuries.
Expect players like Luke Johnson, Alexandre Fortin, and new acquisitions Jordan Schroeder and Jacob Nilsson to have increased roles offensively next season. Fortin and Johnson look to prove their NHL worth,Schroeder tries to make good of his one-year deal with Chicago, and Nilsson hopes to be another David Kampf-style find for the Blackhawks organization.
Finally, the progressions of Matheson Iacopelli, Graham Knott, and Nathan Noel in their second professional years will be interesting. Last season, all three had less-than-stellar years for different reasons. Iacopelli had issues staying in the regular IceHogs lineup while Knott, who was regularly in the lineup during the regular season, didn’t find the extra gear offensively to produce up to his second-round pick billing. As for Noel, a healthy 2018-19 season will give the Blackhawks organization a better look at what he brings to the table.
Predicting IceHogs Defensemen
On the defensive side of the ice, the IceHogs will look very different from the team that closed the second-half of the season in 2017-18. Gone are regulars like Viktor Svedberg and Ville Pokka, as well as Cody Franson and Adam Clendening.
The speculation that 2018 first-round pick Adam Boqvist may start the year with Rockford was quelled early on this summer when it was announced he would be joining the London Knights in the OHL. Another top name on the defensive side for the Blackhawks organization that will not be in Rockford next season is Henri Jokiharju. While he may start the season with the Blackhawks, he is not eligible to be sent to the AHL because of his age restrictions.
I believe that the Blackhawks will give Gustav Forsling a crack in the NHL to begin the year, but would rather him play in Rockford over being a healthy-scratch, so be on the lookout for his movement and usage this season.
- Carl Dahlstrom (2017-18: 3 G, 25 A)
- Blake Hillman (2017-18 with Denver University: 3 G, 9 A)
- Dennis Gilbert (2017-18 with Notre Dame: 4 G, 6 A)
- Lucas Carlsson (2017-18 with Brynas IF: 7 G, 10 A)
Carl Dahlstrom of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)
- Joni Tuulola (2017-18 with Sport: 7 G, 23 A)
- Darren Raddysh (2017-18: 5 G, 17 A)
- Andrew Campbell (2017-18 with Tucson: 2 G, 4 A)
There is a clear log-jam with the Blackhawks organization at defensive depth. While it’s never a bad thing to have a position with too much depth, it does cause some difficult roster decisions. Only Carl Dahlstrom and Darren Raddysh could return to their regular roles as a part of the IceHogs’ defensive core next season. Left in the press box are Luc Snuggerud and Robin Norell, but both of those players have a reputation with head coach Jeremy Colliton, so don’t be surprised if they are able to get into the lineup right off the bat instead.
New faces like Dennis Gilbert, Blake Hillman, Lucas Carlsson, and Andrew Campbell will look to be the focal-points for the IceHogs defensive core. Hillman had a cup of coffee late last season with the Blackhawks and could be the first option for the first defenseman called up to the NHL next season. Same goes for Gilbert, who will be making his professional debut after three seasons at Notre Dame. With the depth that Colliton has to work with, the defensive group may be the strongest position for the IceHogs next season.
Predicting IceHogs Goalies
Also in the running for being the biggest strength of the IceHogs next season will be their goaltending group. Now, this is all assuming the Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is fully healthy and ready to begin the season. While that is still hazy, for all intents and purposes, let’s say he is. That leaves the next three guys on the goaltending depth chart in an odd spot.
- Anton Forsberg (2017-18 with Chicago: 2.97 GAA, .908 Save %)
- Collin Delia (2017-18: 2.72 GAA, .900 Save %)
- Kevin Lankinen (2017-18 with HIFK: 1.33 GAA, .946 Save %)
Collin Delia makes a save against the San Antonio Rampage. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)
Last season, Anton Forsberg got a raw deal with the injury to Crawford, along with his own injury issues, and the fact that the Blackhawks rotated Jeff Glass and Collin Delia into the lineup throughout the season. If the signing of Cam Ward turns out to be in a truly backup role behind Crawford, Forsberg is again getting a raw deal being sent to the AHL after potentially being groomed to be next in line for Chicago once Crawford’s time was up with the organization.
Also making things difficult for Forsberg at the AHL level would be last season’s premiere net-minder for the IceHogs in Collin Delia. After joining the team mid-way through the year, Delia found his stride in the winter and never looked back until hitting a workload wall in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Delia, prior to the Cam Ward signing, was slated to be the defacto starter in Rockford, but now will have competition with Forsberg. Not only Forsberg, but Delia will have to deal with offseason signing Kevin Lankinen coming over from HIFK in Finland. Another position where depth is a double-edged sword for the Blackhawks and IceHogs organizations.
While there is still a lot to sort out for the rest of the Summer, as the Chicago Blackhawks organization roster is constructed right now, this is how I see the Rockford IceHogs lining up to begin the season. Remember, it’s still just July 24 and come October 5, I could be completely wrong. So be kind, please.
Enjoy your Summer!