Tyler Cameron: What's wrong in Rockford? The next stop on this off week is the AHL.

The IceHogs had one representative in the AHL All-Star Game, Mr. Kevin Lankinen.

Let's take a look at what is wrong in these Rockford IceHogs lately who have just 3 wins since Dec 20th?

Interesting and great write-up Ty.

No doubt injuries and call-ups have impacted the Ice Hogs on-ice performance, but what about coaching? Is King the best option? Does anyone have any insight on how much faith the organization has in him?

Not sure about Rockford.

But, was checking some Playoff Predictors on our Blackhawks.

Presently 36% chance. Not bad. If they come out of the gates the first 10 games and grab 12 or 13 points....we will definitely be in the chase.

Seems 90 points a magic mark. At 90 points, better than 50/50 chance we are in (55%). That requires 16-11-4 to end the year. Tough, maybe a little too much, but...A CHANCE. Push that to 92-93 points, we be about 90% certain to be there.

Hey, I know it is still a long-shot. But, after the first 20-30 games figured no chance at all. The last 10 going into break changed that.

Cannot start this 2nd half too slowly. Like I said. Minimum 12 or more points in first 10 games is essential.

Go Hawks!!!

Thanks Ty and Fox - nice overview on the team we don't get to see much. I have 2 questions, Why 3 goalies, and why 7 d-men?

Been reading rumors about VGK and their relationship with the Wolves. As the story goes, VGK is building a rink at The Orleans in Las Vegas. They are looking to acquire and relocate an AHL team.

Rockford has the lowest attendance in the AHL and is owned by the City of Rockford.

The scenario has VGK buying the Ice Hogs and relocating them to Las Vegas. Then the Hawks either strike a deal with The Wolves, or buy the team outright.

What are you guys hearing?

Been reading rumors about VGK and their relationship with the Wolves. As the story goes, VGK is building a rink at The Orleans in Las Vegas. They are looking to acquire and relocate an AHL team.

Rockford has the lowest attendance in the AHL and is owned by the City of Rockford.

The scenario has VGK buying the Ice Hogs and relocating them to Las Vegas. Then the Hawks either strike a deal with The Wolves, or buy the team outright.

What are you guys hearing?
- scottak

Interesting concept. Who owns the Wolves now?

Hers one story from NHL.com. Also being reported in Las Vegas news outlets.

ONTARIO, Calif. -- The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to bring an American Hockey League team to Las Vegas, AHL president and chief executive officer Dave Andrews said Monday.

Andrews, who will retire June 30 after 26 seasons, was giving his final state of the league address hours before the AHL All-Star Challenge (10 p.m. ET; TSN, NHLN), a 3-on-3, round-robin tournament between the league's four divisions (Atlantic, North, Central, and Pacific).

"Vegas has an interest in buying an AHL team," Andrews said. "They are in discussion with some of our owners about potentially buying a franchise. It is not at the point where anything is in front of me or in front of our [Board of Governors]."

The Golden Knights have been affiliated with Chicago since entering the NHL as an expansion team in 2017. Last season, Chicago advanced to the Calder Cup Finals before losing in five games to Charlotte (Carolina Hurricanes).

"I think that at some point there will be an [AHL] team in Vegas, or [the Golden Knights] will own a team," Andrews said before adding that to make a move feasible for next season, "it would have to happen pretty soon."

Interesting concept. Who owns the Wolves now?
- DarthKane

Local Chicago businessman Don Levin.

Been reading rumors about VGK and their relationship with the Wolves. As the story goes, VGK is building a rink at The Orleans in Las Vegas. They are looking to acquire and relocate an AHL team.

Rockford has the lowest attendance in the AHL and is owned by the City of Rockford.

The scenario has VGK buying the Ice Hogs and relocating them to Las Vegas. Then the Hawks either strike a deal with The Wolves, or buy the team outright.

What are you guys hearing?
- scottak

I know its probably a stupid question, but if this scenario happened, all the players would switch teams?

I know its probably a stupid question, but if this scenario happened, all the players would switch teams?
- vabeachbear

Yes, the players are linked to the NHL team.

Interesting concept. Who owns the Wolves now?
- DarthKane

https://www.chicagowolves.com/teams/ownership/

Yes, the players are linked to the NHL team.
- scottak

Lived in Rochester, NY when this happened, twice. (Going from Buffalo to Florida, then from Flordia back to Buffalo).

If I remember correctly, yes, all the players who are property of an NHL team would move. Players who have contracts with the AHL team ONLY would stay with the team. That's only if they simply change their farm team. If they up and just move the wolves to Vegas, the team is moving, and all the players would go with it.

Makes sense, Anaheim AHL team is in San Diego, Kings are in Ontario, Seattle's owners are building a 10,000 seat arena in Palm Springs for their AHL franchise, San Jose has their team in San Jose, Tuscon is Phoenix.

There are not many long distance relationships between the AHL team and the NHL affiliate.

From NHLrumors.com. The last sentence is interesting.


At yesterday’s press conference, AHL president David Andrews suggested that the Vegas Golden Knights may soon be interested in purchasing a minor league franchise. That idea is more than just a suggestion, as Jesse Granger of The Athletic (subscription required) reports the Golden Knights are working to bring a team in as soon as October. The AHL club would be called the Henderson Silver Knights if all goes according to plan.

While this is obviously not a done deal at this point, more and more teams have begun to bring their AHL affiliates as geographically close as possible. Having a team in the same city (or very close, should the team eventually move to Henderson) allows for numerous benefits, including easier game-day call-ups. The Chicago Wolves, currently affiliated with the Golden Knights, would not be the franchise to move and issued a statement yesterday explaining that they would find a new NHL partner.

Been reading rumors about VGK and their relationship with the Wolves. As the story goes, VGK is building a rink at The Orleans in Las Vegas. They are looking to acquire and relocate an AHL team.

Rockford has the lowest attendance in the AHL and is owned by the City of Rockford.

The scenario has VGK buying the Ice Hogs and relocating them to Las Vegas. Then the Hawks either strike a deal with The Wolves, or buy the team outright.

What are you guys hearing?
- scottak

I have been following but don't have any info other than these rumours.

I know the Vegas owner is extremely aggressive and demanding so my guess is that he will get his wish of having an AHL team ASAP.

It makes total sense to buy out the IceHogs and ship them there, while the Wolves would become the Hawks farm team. However, there are cities, businessmen and a lot paperwork for that to happen... so I guess the stars would have to align.

Interested to see what happens.

From NHLrumors.com. The last sentence is interesting.


At yesterday’s press conference, AHL president David Andrews suggested that the Vegas Golden Knights may soon be interested in purchasing a minor league franchise. That idea is more than just a suggestion, as Jesse Granger of The Athletic (subscription required) reports the Golden Knights are working to bring a team in as soon as October. The AHL club would be called the Henderson Silver Knights if all goes according to plan.

While this is obviously not a done deal at this point, more and more teams have begun to bring their AHL affiliates as geographically close as possible. Having a team in the same city (or very close, should the team eventually move to Henderson) allows for numerous benefits, including easier game-day call-ups. The Chicago Wolves, currently affiliated with the Golden Knights, would not be the franchise to move and issued a statement yesterday explaining that they would find a new NHL partner.
- boilermaker100

Yup, that's the basis for Ice Hogs to Vegas and Hawks linking with the Wolves theory.

The rub is that the Wolves and Blackhawks have had a contentious relationship over the years. In the bad old Hawk days, the Wolves advertising basically centered around the fact that they were winners and the Hawks lost a lot. Currently, the Wolves advertising is something like, 'Chicago's winning team'. Some bridges to be un-burned to see a Blackhawk - Wolves partnership.

Owner of JOB rolling papers if I’m not mistaken.

The Hogs had 37 different players start games for them. Injuries, some players coming up to the Hawks, other personnel moves. It must be hard to get consistency. By comparison the Admirals have only had 29 players start games for them.

Coaching is a question/unknown (as to quality).

The Hawks do not have a true top 6 forward in Rockford. (that is why I would hate to see them move Saad.) You could argue Sikura, Hagel, Kurashev. But I would say they are middle 6 at best.

On D there is hope that Beaudin is a top 4 defender. After that mainly bottom 4 defenders. Mitchell is looking pretty important.

I don't really understand the reason for 3 goalies. You would think they would want Tomkins to be playing regularly in Indy. If the Hawks move Crow or Lehner and fall out of the playoff race we could see Lankinen and Delia shuttled back and forth. I would like to see them play some games in the NHL.

Yup, that's the basis for Ice Hogs to Vegas and Hawks linking with the Wolves theory.

The rub is that the Wolves and Blackhawks have had a contentious relationship over the years. In the bad old Hawk days, the Wolves advertising basically centered around the fact that they were winners and the Hawks lost a lot. Currently, the Wolves advertising is something like, 'Chicago's winning team'. Some bridges to be un-burned to see a Blackhawk - Wolves partnership.
- scottak

Wayne Messmer.......Please fire Cornelison and hire Wayne back.

Yup, that's the basis for Ice Hogs to Vegas and Hawks linking with the Wolves theory.

The rub is that the Wolves and Blackhawks have had a contentious relationship over the years. In the bad old Hawk days, the Wolves advertising basically centered around the fact that they were winners and the Hawks lost a lot. Currently, the Wolves advertising is something like, 'Chicago's winning team'. Some bridges to be un-burned to see a Blackhawk - Wolves partnership.
- scottak

Yep. But money talks.

If it were me, no way i trade Saad with another year left on his contract unless the offer is outstanding.

I definitely would shop Gus, Koekkoek

I would talk to Lehner and say we would like to sign you to a contract extension, if we trade you since we couldn't agree on a contract, this is our term and price come free agency

Yep. But money talks.
- -Doh-

Yup, not sure if Levin would sell & cash out or work with Rocky. But there is a $ figure that would make everyone happy.
I know I'd go see a Blackhawk affiliate in Rosemont.

Wayne Messmer.......Please fire Cornelison and hire Wayne back.
- powerenforcer

Fire Cornellison - DONT hire Messmer - just end the meaningless false patriotism of singing the National anthem(s) before every mundane athletic event.

Figure out a better way to honor the veterans of past wars.

The Hogs had 37 different players start games for them. Injuries, some players coming up to the Hawks, other personnel moves. It must be hard to get consistency. By comparison the Admirals have only had 29 players start games for them.

Coaching is a question/unknown (as to quality).

The Hawks do not have a true top 6 forward in Rockford. (that is why I would hate to see them move Saad.) You could argue Sikura, Hagel, Kurashev. But I would say they are middle 6 at best.

On D there is hope that Beaudin is a top 4 defender. After that mainly bottom 4 defenders. Mitchell is looking pretty important.

I don't really understand the reason for 3 goalies. You would think they would want Tomkins to be playing regularly in Indy. If the Hawks move Crow or Lehner and fall out of the playoff race we could see Lankinen and Delia shuttled back and forth. I would like to see them play some games in the NHL.
- -Doh-

Will be interesting when a couple other fwds become eligible for RFD or Chicago like Teply and Barrat (sp?).

Still probably doesn’t give them a true top 6 fwd in the lower ranks but most of all of those guys are already with the big club.

I’m still interested to see where the Hawks wind up in the Athletic’s prospect rankings series.

They are now in the top 14 as the Oilers took the 15 spot this morning.

Fire Cornellison - DONT hire Messmer - just end the meaningless false patriotism of singing the National anthem(s) before every mundane athletic event.

Figure out a better way to honor the veterans of past wars.
- StLBravesFan

Don’t disagree but it will likely never happen.

Edit - anytime soon anyway...