Next Game vs Predators
Friday Night Lights 🎄🤩 pic.twitter.com/GorPVYYQ98
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 17, 2021
One thing to consider is the fact that the AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals are already decimated in order to help the parent club field a team. If any more Predators players go into COVID protocol, there's only so much that the farm team can provide healthy bodies.
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Taxi Squad
Taxi squads may be coming back according to Marek and Friedman.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 16, 2021
* Collin Delia makes sense to be the goalie as he has NHL experience and wouldn't necessarily have stunted development being the emergency 3rd string while Arvid Soderblom and Cale Morris are the Rockford duo.
* Brett Connolly could remain with the Hawks and play when necessary so that Henrik Borgstrom can get reinserted into the top 9 once he's healthy again while Dylan Strome can continue to play top 6.
* Alex Nylander should get recalled sooner or later to see if his new-found compete level in the AHL translates to the NHL before management decides on whether to re-sign him, trade him, or let him walk.
* Kurtis Gabriel seems like a shoo-in to be taxi squad fodder as he really shouldn't be a starter by taking away Jujhar Khaira's spot yet he does have NHL experience to play on an as-needed basis.
* Reese Johnson could be perfect for the taxi squad once his clavicle is healed as he does provide value to the Hawks if his TOI is sheltered but it's not a bad idea either to have him develop more in Rockford.
* Tyler Johnson is on LTIR for 3 months so he's a possibility for the spring stretch run as the regular season winds down but management may want him in the starting lineup given his salary and talent.
* Mike Hardman and Josiah Slavin are possibilities for the taxi squad but they're both better off getting regular minutes; if they're going to sit, may as well have them start in Rockford instead.
* MacKenzie Entwistle is in the same boat but he's further along in his development than Hardman and Slavin to the point where he's pretty much solidified his spot in the Hawks starting lineup.
* Erik Gustafsson has been playing much better defensively this season but he could have a seat in the taxi so that Riley Stillman and Caleb Jones can play regularly along with the veterans on D.
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IceHogs Updates
Down in the Lone Star State to open up a 2-game weekend set vs. @TexasStars. Tune in at 7 p.m.
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) December 17, 2021
📺: https://t.co/dKsiOTKehZ, 23.3 @23WIFR
📻: https://t.co/2iRG2MpL6Q
📝: https://t.co/651vxoJAO8 pic.twitter.com/l9bHuTOUg8
Medical Update: Defenseman Jakub Galvas has been removed from concussion protocol
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) December 16, 2021
📝: https://t.co/LJCwdg3JyW pic.twitter.com/gBw1bA6abw
Before going into concussion protocol, Galvas was proving to be the Hogs most reliable defender. He plays smart, fundamentally sound hockey in all zones, is constantly proactive at puck pursuit, and makes quick exits to flip the ice either with passing or with his feet.
Hogs on the Move: Forward Chad Yetman and goalie Cale Morris have been loaned to the @IndyFuel
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) December 16, 2021
📝: https://t.co/2Z6f8qwlkb pic.twitter.com/I860m0U3qm
As for Morris, he too was the odd one out in a numbers game with Soderblom also returning from injury. While Soderblom was in concussion protocol, Morris backed up Delia. Now Delia becomes the backup again while Soderblom steps into the starter role again.
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World Junior Championships
Good luck to IceHogs defenseman Michael Krutil as he joins the Czech Republic ahead of the #WorldJuniors!
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) December 16, 2021
📝: https://t.co/i81c1TCvhM pic.twitter.com/nqh1PJo4s6
The Blackhawks prospects going to the WJC in Edmonton are now Krutil for the Czech Republic as well as Drew Commesso, Wyatt Kaiser, and Landon Slaggert for the United States. Connor Kelley didn't make the cut for Team USA while Reichel won't play for Team Germany.
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See you on the boards!