Allen, Del Mastro and Dach aren't eligible to play in the A this year. Its the NHL or juniors for them because of their ages/birth date. Crevier will be in the A or ECHL because he has aged out of juniors.

They signed a bunch of guys because they had to. Before the signings they had 5 forwards under NHL contracts in RFD. Add in the fact that whatever forwards in the system were either going back to the NCAA or in Europe they needed bodies to fill the roster in RFD.

Wonder if a few posters on here that anointed Dylan Sikura as a top 9 lock are going to fess up and apologize to the board.

I know I was ripped to shreds questioning whether Sikura was an NHL player..... guess what he isn't one.


- bhawks2241

You could get banned here for such blasphemy.

Good players don’t spend a lot of time (if any) in the AHL. Its either a place holder for a loaded NHL roster or where hopes and dreams go to die.
- fattybeef

The average age of an NHL rookie is about 22.5. So if those rooks aren't in the AHL or SEL or ECHL, where exactly are they playing pro hockey as 18-21 year olds?

Allen, Del Mastro and Dach aren't eligible to play in the A this year. Its the NHL or juniors for them because of their ages/birth date. Crevier will be in the A or ECHL because he has aged out of juniors.

They signed a bunch of guys because they had to. Before the signings they had 5 forwards under NHL contracts in RFD. Add in the fact that whatever forwards in the system were either going back to the NCAA or in Europe they needed bodies to fill the roster in RFD.
- Elbows15

Allan has spent parts of 4 seasons with his WHL team. Even though he won't turn 20 until January doesn't the 4 years in the Juniors rule apply making him eligible for the AHL?

I dont pay much, if any, attention to the junior leagues or AHL.....I get some people get hyped up about a prospect and what he is doing in said league....but it doesn't really matter until they hit the show. I am all in favor of letting these kids mature, improve their personal/team games down there until THEY are ready......my biggest concern is do the Hawks have the correct coaches/support system in place to maximize these kids development because Davidsons whole plan goes to hell if he doesn't have the coaches at each level that are bought in.......

I dont pay much, if any, attention to the junior leagues or AHL.....I get some people get hyped up about a prospect and what he is doing in said league....but it doesn't really matter until they hit the show. I am all in favor of letting these kids mature, improve their personal/team games down there until THEY are ready......my biggest concern is do the Hawks have the correct coaches/support system in place to maximize these kids development because Davidsons whole plan goes to hell if he doesn't have the coaches at each level that are bought in.......
- SteveRain

I think the Avs showed overwhelming talent trumps system.

Allan has spent parts of 4 seasons with his WHL team. Even though he won't turn 20 until January doesn't the 4 years in the Juniors rule apply making him eligible for the AHL?
- boilermaker100

Maybe but I believe age is the deciding factor since he will be 19 at the start of the season. Its where he belongs anyway. He needs to play big minutes if he has any hope of making it to the NHL. I don't think he will find those minutes in RFD unless he is gifted the minutes because he was a "1st round" draft pick.

I wouldn't be too concerned anyway since he is like 6th or 7th for D prospects in the system.

Having the farm team compete deep into spring every year could certainly be beneficial. You want the kids playing in meaningful games whenever possible. I just hope they don’t ever allow winning at the AHL level to interfere with the development of the youth. Don’t want them getting so caught up in a playoff race that career AHL guys are playing while the future of the Hawks watch from the press box.
- Ogilthorpe2

Having the AHL team compete for the Calder Cup is a great distraction when then NHL on-ice product is terrible.

I think the Avs showed overwhelming talent trumps system.
- BetweenTheDots

I would agree....copy cat league so I am sure a lot of teams will be looking skill/speed vs size/skill for the short term.

Still hold firm I think Kane gets traded before opening night. Too much at risk with injuries, etc....and too big of a distraction for him, Richardson, Davidson, and teammates to be answering on an hour by hour basis.

Allan has spent parts of 4 seasons with his WHL team. Even though he won't turn 20 until January doesn't the 4 years in the Juniors rule apply making him eligible for the AHL?
- boilermaker100

Now this only goes for Major Junior (OHL/WHL/QMJHL). Assuming a kid is drafted in the yr he's 18 (not his +1 or +2 yr draft yr) he has to play 2 more yrs in juniors UNLESS he makes an NHL roster.

Allan was drafted in 2021 so he has to play in juniors in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons before he can play in the AHL/ECHL. That is unless he makes the NHL roster.

He played jrs in 2021/2022 season so he has 1 more yr to play in jrs and that will be the 2022/2023 season.

Two more yrs in CHL jrs after a player is drafted as an 18 yr old is the easiest rule of thumb.

Having the AHL team compete for the Calder Cup is a great distraction when then NHL on-ice product is terrible.
- DarthKane

Honest question....do you care where they place in the AHL?

Honest question....do you care where they place in the AHL?
- SteveRain

It depends on the make-up of the roster. If its a team dominated by AHL vets, no.

It depends on the make-up of the roster. If its a team dominated by AHL vets, no.
- Elbows15

Even with a team full of younger prospects....I think it's more imperative on how each player is evolving in regards to their game, how they may be used at the parent club, and how they are blending into a team game.

Meaning.....if they finish last BUT all these kids are progressing and learning....I am fine with it. To Olgi's point, the one thing I am 100% in agreement with is if there is a career AHL player taking a spot for a prospect....said prospect better be playing 100 out of 100 times over the existing player.

Fair to say the kids in the AHL can learn on the job vs at the big club level? I get you need some veterans down there to teach them how to be a professional (practice, not taking shifts off, playing team game, etc).....

Maybe but I believe age is the deciding factor since he will be 19 at the start of the season. Its where he belongs anyway. He needs to play big minutes if he has any hope of making it to the NHL. I don't think he will find those minutes in RFD unless he is gifted the minutes because he was a "1st round" draft pick.

I wouldn't be too concerned anyway since he is like 6th or 7th for D prospects in the system.
- Elbows15

I agree let these kids get the ice time in the Juniors and let them hone their game.

Now this only goes for Major Junior (OHL/WHL/QMJHL). Assuming a kid is drafted in the yr he's 18 (not his +1 or +2 yr draft yr) he has to play 2 more yrs in juniors UNLESS he makes an NHL roster.

Allan was drafted in 2021 so he has to play in juniors in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons before he can play in the AHL/ECHL. That is unless he makes the NHL roster.

He played jrs in 2021/2022 season so he has 1 more yr to play in jrs and that will be the 2022/2023 season.

Two more yrs in CHL jrs after a player is drafted as an 18 yr old is the easiest rule of thumb.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for that.

Except for Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Corey Crawford, and about half the league.

I think it’s fair to say that most elite players don’t spend much time in the AHL, but there are a lot of “good” players who put in the work on the Junior Circuit.
- Ogilthorpe2

Marc Giordano spent, what?, four?

I spent the morning watching 2024 pick Macklin Celebrini showing what he will be bringing as a pivot on the Chicago Steel and then the Blackhawks after they take him in 2024...If you are marinating a goalie young defenders and all the 2023 forwards it makes sense for them to play as teammates in Rockford in a year or so.

Even with a team full of younger prospects....I think it's more imperative on how each player is evolving in regards to their game, how they may be used at the parent club, and how they are blending into a team game.

Meaning.....if they finish last BUT all these kids are progressing and learning....I am fine with it. To Olgi's point, the one thing I am 100% in agreement with is if there is a career AHL player taking a spot for a prospect....said prospect better be playing 100 out of 100 times over the existing player.

Fair to say the kids in the AHL can learn on the job vs at the big club level? I get you need some veterans down there to teach them how to be a professional (practice, not taking shifts off, playing team game, etc).....
- SteveRain

winning breeds winning. Sure, development is paramount but they need to learn how to win at the professional level, too. Learning that is part of development.

I agree let these kids get the ice time in the Juniors and let them hone their game.
- boilermaker100

Yeah, there is no reason at all to bring any of them up to the professional level at this point. Especially since they were dominating at the junior level and have outgrown it.
Each will probably be wearing a letter for their teams and most likely a C for at least two of them, it can't hurt.

winning breeds winning. Sure, development is paramount but they need to learn how to win at the professional level, too. Learning that is part of development.
- Elbows15

Syracuse (Tampa Bay affiliate) is always a powerhouse. That is where even the coach (Cooper ) developed.

Not sure anyone mentioned this yet....

One major reason for the push toward competitiveness in Rockford is that Rocky now owns the Hogs. Probably wants to sell more tickets and have more playoff games.

Not sure anyone mentioned this yet....

One major reason for the push toward competitiveness in Rockford is that Rocky now owns the Hogs. Probably wants to sell more tickets and have more playoff games.
- mohel

Gotta pay for the renovations some way.

Every one is so worried about Rocky's money. I think he will be okay. The multi-billion dollar liquor distributorship will see him through.

Gotta pay for the renovations some way.

Every one is so worried about Rocky's money. I think he will be okay. The multi-billion dollar liquor distributorship will see him through.
- Elbows15

I'm not worried about Rocky's money. His ownership of the Hogs is a possible reason for the recent moves in Screw City. Rocky probably didn't buy the team to lose money....

Gotta pay for the renovations some way.

Every one is so worried about Rocky's money. I think he will be okay. The multi-billion dollar liquor distributorship will see him through.
- Elbows15

Besides the Nursery, banks, insurance, realty, etc. etc.

I'm not worried about Rocky's money. His ownership of the Hogs is a possible reason for the recent moves in Screw City. Rocky probably didn't buy the team to lose money....
- mohel

The recent moves is most likely because they needed players to have a team in RFD. They only had 5 forwards under contract before the recent signings.

Besides the Nursery, banks, insurance, realty, etc. etc.
- LAHawk

They sold off a lot of their realty holdings in recent years. The liquor distributorships is probably where most of their investments are these days.

I am sure they are still in the game but not like they were years ago.