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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Fast Friday: Rockford IceHogs Playoff Edition
Author Message
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 4:57 PM ET
I believe he is playing more, at the World Championship. I have seen a couple place confirm that he's heading there.
- Justin Lowe

Cool, good to know. That would be good experience for him.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 20 @ 5:13 PM ET
Cool, good to know. That would be good experience for him.
- AEL_Fox

Hey AEL_FOX,

The Icehogs appear deep and with experienced top defensemen. Svedberg, Clendenning, Dahlstrom had a good year, Franson quite valuable this level, Norell is ok and has experience as a pro, but Raydish and nowTuulola are on the green side. Snuggerud might be hurt again. Not a bad blueline crew for AHL.

How far can Vegas NHL and AHL (Wolves) go? Pirri and.Garrison stand out to me.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 20 @ 5:22 PM ET
Hey AEL_FOX,

The Icehogs appear deep and with experienced top defensemen. Svedberg, Clendenning, Dahlstrom had a good year, Franson quite valuable this level, Norell is ok and has experience as a pro, but Raydish and nowTuulola are on the green side. Snuggerud might be hurt again. Not a bad blueline crew for AHL.

How far can Vegas NHL and AHL (Wolves) go? Pirri and.Garrison stand out to me.

- jhawk59

Here is question why hasn't Mcego try and get tv deal for the icehogs it is the Blackhawk farm team i m surprise he hasn't done much of anything with them. I think die hard hawks fans like myself would like to see the icehogs on tv so we can follow the players in the system and might have shot to make the big team and stick.
wonthecup10
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 02.05.2008

Apr 20 @ 5:32 PM ET
Is that true, though? Yes he can refuse assignment, but aren't there repercussions to the player like suspension? Not that a suspension does anything right now given the Hawks are no longer playing until October.

I would think Gustafsson would want to play more, especially in the playoffs. Also, is he that arrogant to think he's too good now for the AHL? Sorry Erik, but you're not a sure-fire NHLer still (or ever). Learning to play defense in a pressure atmosphere would do you some good.

Or does his contract preclude him from going back down?

- AEL_Fox


Arrogant is the word I would go along with. He is one of many that would not make most NHL rosters, so he should’ve ate some humble pie and went and played in these playoffs. Goes to show how week we are on defense among other places when Stan Bowman has to overpay a guy like that.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 20 @ 5:57 PM ET
Here is question why hasn't Mcego try and get tv deal for the icehogs it is the Blackhawk farm team i m surprise he hasn't done much of anything with them. I think die hard hawks fans like myself would like to see the icehogs on tv so we can follow the players in the system and might have shot to make the big team and stick.
- Scott1977

Rockford is very much a seperate far away market for fans to get attached to. It is also what you might refer to as a depressed market, not a lot of wealth among the majority of its citizens. Lots of blue collar and socio economic level struggles to get by.
Slofire94
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: CA
Joined: 01.17.2016

Apr 20 @ 6:00 PM ET
Torts said that Panarin and mates laid an egg last game.
How could this be so. I read how great he is on this board. The same people blush how surreal the Panarin experience. What is going on here with Bread Man? Is he superman or is he a flash in the pan who got to play with Kane. I say awaken his confidance by using goalie #33 in practice time

- jhawk59

kmw4631
Location: CHICAGO
Joined: 02.27.2015

Apr 20 @ 6:06 PM ET
ESPN had a redraft and the hawks D man Johkara went 27 instead of 29 so Its not as big a bump as I would like its at least positive.

my feeling about the draft is if dahlin is 98 then Schenkov is a 97 and Zadina, Tkacuck, Borquist are 94, Walstrom, Hughs, bouchard are 93.

My point being is I feel the drop of #2 to #3 is pretty big and then the next 6 are pretty close. outside of those 2 I don't see us in a mini rebuild. you need depth but how many for sure top 6 or top 4 do we have either on the roster or in the system.

Kane and Nick would be the only ones I'm sure of for next year. Keith I suppose you could say is 2nd pairing but he has been getting worse every year since 2015.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Apr 20 @ 6:24 PM ET
https://twitter.com/pdxwi...status/987425924588060673

Portland Winterhawks defenseman Henri Jokiharju has been added to the Finland Men’s National Team roster for next month’s IIHF World Championship.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 6:30 PM ET
ESPN had a redraft and the hawks D man Johkara went 27 instead of 29 so Its not as big a bump as I would like its at least positive.
- kmw4631

I don't have the ESPN Insider subscription, but who did the Hawks pick instead in that 2017 re-draft?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 6:32 PM ET
Rockford is very much a seperate far away market for fans to get attached to. It is also what you might refer to as a depressed market, not a lot of wealth among the majority of its citizens. Lots of blue collar and socio economic level struggles to get by.
- jhawk59

Good point but that type of market might benefit the most from having a local team on TV. Doesn't need to be on WGN or a big network. The fuzzy channel is fine. WCIU or whatever it's called now.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 6:35 PM ET
Hey AEL_FOX,

The Icehogs appear deep and with experienced top defensemen. Svedberg, Clendenning, Dahlstrom had a good year, Franson quite valuable this level, Norell is ok and has experience as a pro, but Raydish and nowTuulola are on the green side. Snuggerud might be hurt again. Not a bad blueline crew for AHL.

How far can Vegas NHL and AHL (Wolves) go? Pirri and.Garrison stand out to me.

- jhawk59

Re-post of something I shared in the previous blog:

Hopefully they [in reference to Hawks D prospects] all develop to be valuable in some way or another to either promote to the Hawks starting defense or use as a trade chip to acquire another need.

With Hillman and Gilbert locked up and possibly Jokiharju and Carlsson soon, next season's Rockford blueline is going to be overflowing with prospects so I imagine some will not be renewed (i.e. Svedberg, Franson), spend time in Indy, or impress enough to earn a roster spot with the Hawks.

Current Hogs blueline + recent signees:
Clendening
Dahlstrom
Forsling *
Franson
Gilbert *
Hillman *
Norell
Raddysh
Snuggerud
Svedberg
Tuulola

Potential signees:
Jokiharju *
Carlsson *

Indy players:
Press
Anselmini

Hawk players who could be back in Rockford:
Gustafsson
Oesterle


I put an asterisk above to those who I think have the best shot at not only making the Hawks at some point but also having staying power (not counting Gustafsson and Oesterle since they're on the team already).

Of the D prospects not listed above because they're not signed yet, I think Mitchell and Krys also have potential to make the team down the line.

Of course, we can't keep all of them in the unlikely event that they all develop well as eventual starters on the Hawks. But that's when some of them become trade chips to help shore up other areas in the lineup that need help.
Slofire94
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: CA
Joined: 01.17.2016

Apr 20 @ 6:44 PM ET
Trade Proposal:

Getzlaf ++ for
Hossa's contract, picks + young forwards not named Saad/Dcat/Schmaltz
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 20 @ 6:56 PM ET
Re-post of something I shared in the previous blog:

Hopefully they

- AEL_Fox[in reference to Hawks D prospects] all develop to be valuable in some way or another to either promote to the Hawks starting defense or use as a trade chip to acquire another need.

With Hillman and Gilbert locked up and possibly Jokiharju and Carlsson soon, next season's Rockford blueline is going to be overflowing with prospects so I imagine some will not be renewed (i.e. Svedberg, Franson), spend time in Indy, or impress enough to earn a roster spot with the Hawks.

Current Hogs blueline + recent signees:
Clendening
Dahlstrom
Forsling *
Franson
Gilbert *
Hillman *
Norell
Raddysh
Snuggerud
Svedberg
Tuulola

Potential signees:
Jokiharju *
Carlsson *

Indy players:
Press
Anselmini

Hawk players who could be back in Rockford:
Gustafsson
Oesterle


I put an asterisk above to those who I think have the best shot at not only making the Hawks at some point but also having staying power (not counting Gustafsson and Oesterle since they're on the team already).

Of the D prospects not listed above because they're not signed yet, I think Mitchell and Krys also have potential to make the team down the line.

Of course, we can't keep all of them in the unlikely event that they all develop well as eventual starters on the Hawks. But that's when some of them become trade chips to help shore up other areas in the lineup that need help.


There are some other dmen they drafted whom probably developed in the Eurooean leagues. So their could be surprises For now your list is updated and accurate

I think M.Fromm might be elgible for Rockford? Will we find out that Tuulola is pretty good but soft?
kmw4631
Location: CHICAGO
Joined: 02.27.2015

Apr 20 @ 7:03 PM ET
I don't have the ESPN Insider subscription, but who did the Hawks pick instead in that 2017 re-draft?
- AEL_Fox


I didn't notice I was more looking to see if Johkara moved up at all.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 20 @ 7:22 PM ET
Arrogant is the word I would go along with. He is one of many that would not make most NHL rosters, so he should’ve ate some humble pie and went and played in these playoffs. Goes to show how week we are on defense among other places when Stan Bowman has to overpay a guy like that.
- wonthecup10


Has it been determined that he is eligible to be an Ice Hog starting tomorrow night?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 7:25 PM ET
I didn't notice I was more looking to see if Johkara moved up at all.
- kmw4631

No worries.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 20 @ 7:27 PM ET
There are some other dmen they drafted whom probably developed in the Eurooean leagues. So their could be surprises For now your list is updated and accurate

I think M.Fromm might be elgible for Rockford? Will we find out that Tuulola is pretty good but soft?

- jhawk59

The 2 other European D prospects off the top of my head are Laavainen (Finland) and Galvas (Czech Republic). Don't know much about either but I believe Galvas played in the most recent WJC and had a decent showing.

From signed a PTO or AHL deal (can't remember which) with the Hogs but didn't play any regular season games. Hopefully he gets some games in against the Wolves in this opening round.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 20 @ 7:45 PM ET
Rockford is very much a seperate far away market for fans to get attached to. It is also what you might refer to as a depressed market, not a lot of wealth among the majority of its citizens. Lots of blue collar and socio economic level struggles to get by.
- jhawk59

Ok just wondering
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 20 @ 7:51 PM ET
IMHO goaltending is the key to the Hawks and the Hogs.

Without good goaltending it is very hard to assess the play of the D and the team in general.

A team that is confident that their goalie will make some big saves and not let in soft goals plays differently. They play with a swagger and confidence.

If the goalie gives up a soft goal early or late in a game it can be a killer to energy, confidence and momentum.

Many posters underestimate the effect that losing Crow (and the weak play of the other goalies) made on the whole team his year.

I hope the Hogs get some good goaltending. Not only for their success, but also so that it is better to evaluate the Dmen and whole Hog team in the playoffs.

For next year Crow being healthy is of the utmost importance. Without Crow and cap spce the Hawks are dead. Even if he is healthy I would sign an experienced high end back up.

I like Forsberg. He reminds me a lot of a young Crow. If you remember Crow took a long time to make the big club. Most people thought he would never be more than a journeyman or backup. Even after he made the big club he had an awful 2012 playoff against Phoenix. I think Forsberg could turn out to have a similar career. Their styles are similar. Forsberg had a slow start to his NHL career too. I would leave him in Rockford to start the next year. We could have a really good club in Rockford and he could gain confidence while working with Pete Aubry and Jimmy Waite. Groom him to be ready in 19/20 part time and then 20/21 when Crow's contract is up.

Remember Dominik Hasek was 29 before he had a breakout season in the NHL. He had a pretty good career.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 20 @ 8:27 PM ET
IMHO goaltending is the key to the Hawks and the Hogs.

Without good goaltending it is very hard to assess the play of the D and the team in general.

A team that is confident that their goalie will make some big saves and not let in soft goals plays differently. They play with a swagger and confidence.

If the goalie gives up a soft goal early or late in a game it can be a killer to energy, confidence and momentum.

Many posters underestimate the effect that losing Crow (and the weak play of the other goalies) made on the whole team his year.

I hope the Hogs get some good goaltending. Not only for their success, but also so that it is better to evaluate the Dmen and whole Hog team in the playoffs.

For next year Crow being healthy is of the utmost importance. Without Crow and cap spce the Hawks are dead. Even if he is healthy I would sign an experienced high end back up.

I like Forsberg. He reminds me a lot of a young Crow. If you remember Crow took a long time to make the big club. Most people thought he would never be more than a journeyman or backup. Even after he made the big club he had an awful 2012 playoff against Phoenix. I think Forsberg could turn out to have a similar career. Their styles are similar. Forsberg had a slow start to his NHL career too. I would leave him in Rockford to start the next year. We could have a really good club in Rockford and he could gain confidence while working with Pete Aubry and Jimmy Waite. Groom him to be ready in 19/20 part time and then 20/21 when Crow's contract is up.

Remember Dominik Hasek was 29 before he had a breakout season in the NHL. He had a pretty good career.

- -Doh-

Crawford could not handle the puck well but improved once he got to the NHL
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 20 @ 8:27 PM ET
IMHO goaltending is the key to the Hawks and the Hogs.

Without good goaltending it is very hard to assess the play of the D and the team in general.

A team that is confident that their goalie will make some big saves and not let in soft goals plays differently. They play with a swagger and confidence.

If the goalie gives up a soft goal early or late in a game it can be a killer to energy, confidence and momentum.

Many posters underestimate the effect that losing Crow (and the weak play of the other goalies) made on the whole team his year.

I hope the Hogs get some good goaltending. Not only for their success, but also so that it is better to evaluate the Dmen and whole Hog team in the playoffs.

For next year Crow being healthy is of the utmost importance. Without Crow and cap spce the Hawks are dead. Even if he is healthy I would sign an experienced high end back up.

I like Forsberg. He reminds me a lot of a young Crow. If you remember Crow took a long time to make the big club. Most people thought he would never be more than a journeyman or backup. Even after he made the big club he had an awful 2012 playoff against Phoenix. I think Forsberg could turn out to have a similar career. Their styles are similar. Forsberg had a slow start to his NHL career too. I would leave him in Rockford to start the next year. We could have a really good club in Rockford and he could gain confidence while working with Pete Aubry and Jimmy Waite. Groom him to be ready in 19/20 part time and then 20/21 when Crow's contract is up.

Remember Dominik Hasek was 29 before he had a breakout season in the NHL. He had a pretty good career.

- -Doh-

Crawford could not handle the puck well but improved once he got to the NHL
Spec41971
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Rolling meadows, IL
Joined: 03.04.2017

Apr 20 @ 8:35 PM ET
Not pulling for any team in particular but wouldn’t mind seeing the sharks, jets, Golden knights or Tampa bay win it. Glad that the Kings and ducks are out. Waiting for the wild to get knocked out tonight and then just need to see the penguins, predators and caps grr knocked out.

Watched the first period of the jets’ ganme tonight. Can’t figure out how thus year’s hawks are in the same league with them. What an impressive performance so far
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 20 @ 8:41 PM ET
Not pulling for any team in particular but wouldn’t mind seeing the sharks, jets, Golden knights or Tampa bay win it. Glad that the Kings and ducks are out. Waiting for the wild to get knocked out tonight and then just need to see the penguins, predators and caps grr knocked out.

Watched the first period of the jets’ ganme tonight. Can’t figure out how thus year’s hawks are in the same league with them. What an impressive performance so far

- Spec41971


Would you feel pretty?

Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Apr 20 @ 9:36 PM ET
There was an article on the TSN website yesterday about the Ducks being open to "blowing up" their core and listening to offers to move one of them, i.e. Getzlaf, Perry, and Kesler in particular. Would you want any of them if Bowman could put together an appropriate package to send to Anaheim?

Me personally: yes to Getzlaf, no to Perry, and possibly to Kesler.

- AEL_Fox


No to Kessler - very very bad contract and is so beat up he seems a different player.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Apr 20 @ 9:38 PM ET
The AHL site has reportedly been fraught with technical problems in its transmission. You can try it from a local city who has a comcast. Chicago Wolves broadcast all games but no radio. Billy Gardner is long time color and the announcer is ok. That broadcast would likely be superior to individual other teams. Someone who has Wolves games capacity on their cable can provide more. Icehogs have an antenna wire cable feed which is i think barbaric.
- jhawk59


My knowledge of AHL Live limited to is existence. Have never tried it.
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