Tyler Cameron: Rockford IceHogs – Awards and Season Wrap Up
The AHL announced their season was official cancelled on May 11th.

The IceHogs finished their 2019-20 campaign with a 29-30-2-2, which was good for 5th in the Central Division.

Here is a breakdown from the IceHogs season, along with some year-end awards:

Getting tired of being first

Thank you, Tyler and Theo, for the Hogs look-back.

Per Theo: Offensively, the Hogs scored the 3rd least goals in the AHL. On the defensive side of the ledger, they landed in the latter third of the league for goals allowed.

Special teams were horrendous as the PP was 29th out of 31 teams at 11.4% conversion while the PK was dead last at a 76.2% kill rate.

Bad offense, bad defense, bad special teams - how did they manage to win enough games to compete for a playoff spot?

Per Theo: MVP: Dylan Sikura

Sikura pushed the pace offensively being noticeable every shift, generating shots galore, creating scoring chances for teammates, and not only showing a willingness to play 200 feet but also sticking his nose in fiesty situations. As surprsing as it sounds, he's by no means a soft player.

Why can’t this guy make a better showing in the Show - or - why can’t the powers in Chicago see what you and the Hogs’ brass see?

Thanks Ty and Theo! Appreciate the insight and opportunity to escape the day to day for a bit and talk some hockey.

Question for you Theo...

I noticed you mentioned the development of a number of players particularly Beaudin and Krys getting better in their own end.

Any idea on your part if this is in any way due to Derek King the coach?

Just recall reading here a number of times that the org wasn’t high on him and that when JC was promoted, King was likely a placeholder.

Just curious if that perception has changed and King might stick around a while?

King signed a 2 year contract at the end of last year, so he is as interim as any coach that has a contract.

King says Kurashev is an NHL player. I can't wait to have this dude in our lineup. Hawks should be pretty good in two years

Thank you, Tyler and Theo, for the Hogs look-back.

Per Theo: Offensively, the Hogs scored the 3rd least goals in the AHL. On the defensive side of the ledger, they landed in the latter third of the league for goals allowed.

Special teams were horrendous as the PP was 29th out of 31 teams at 11.4% conversion while the PK was dead last at a 76.2% kill rate.

Bad offense, bad defense, bad special teams - how did they manage to win enough games to compete for a playoff spot?

Per Theo: MVP: Dylan Sikura

Sikura pushed the pace offensively being noticeable every shift, generating shots galore, creating scoring chances for teammates, and not only showing a willingness to play 200 feet but also sticking his nose in fiesty situations. As surprsing as it sounds, he's by no means a soft player.

Why can’t this guy make a better showing in the Show - or - why can’t the powers in Chicago see what you and the Hogs’ brass see?
- StLBravesFan

It could simply be that he needs to add some size. He is listed on the Icehogs site at 166. I'm well aware that weight is not the end all be all, but he's 5-11 166 not 5-8. When I watch him, he has all the tenacity, speed and skill to be good. I haven't watched close enough to be able to tell why he hasn't produced more when
he's been up, but it could simply be he is not sturdy enough to get shots off quick enough.

It also could simply be a bit of bad luck. He generated a lot of chances when he did play, and was pretty responsible defensively. It's not like other players on our team haven't gone through droughts.

It could simply be that he needs to add some size. He is listed on the Icehogs site at 166. I'm well aware that weight is not the end all be all, but he's 5-11 166 not 5-8. When I watch him, he has all the tenacity, speed and skill to be good. I haven't watched close enough to be able to tell why he hasn't produced more when
he's been up, but it could simply be he is not sturdy enough to get shots off quick enough.

It also could simply be a bit of bad luck. He generated a lot of chances when he did play, and was pretty responsible defensively. It's not like other players on our team haven't gone through droughts.
- Chunk

The whole idea is to make the most of your opportunity (extreme example when Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp), or most recent case Jordan Binnington. At some point it is next man up, or new blood that has more talent. There are a slew of AHL hall of famers that never could make it in the big show. Brandon Pirri dominates at the AHL level, and except for one season of 20 goals (and only 2 assists), he is nothing more than an injury fill in.

The whole idea is to make the most of your opportunity (extreme example when Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp), or most recent case Jordan Binnington. At some point it is next man up, or new blood that has more talent. There are a slew of AHL hall of famers that never could make it in the big show. Brandon Pirri dominates at the AHL level, and except for one season of 20 goals (and only 2 assists), he is nothing more than an injury fill in.
- LAHawk

Agreed. I wasn't trying to make excuses for him. I just thought that he did create a lot of chances, but didn't capitalize on them. At the end of the day, regardless of your size, if you want to play you have to produce.

Thanks Ty and Theo! Appreciate the insight and opportunity to escape the day to day for a bit and talk some hockey.

Question for you Theo...

I noticed you mentioned the development of a number of players particularly Beaudin and Krys getting better in their own end.

Any idea on your part if this is in any way due to Derek King the coach?

Just recall reading here a number of times that the org wasn’t high on him and that when JC was promoted, King was likely a placeholder.

Just curious if that perception has changed and King might stick around a while?
- HawkintheD

From what I can observe and tell from interviews, King has some influence on all prospects going through Rockford to play a responsible game no matter their skill set.

King emphasizes "coaching the junior" out of young players so they don't rest on offensive laurels and instead work on the little things that help them get to and stay in the pro game.

Some of that is defensive awareness and some of that is just knowing what to do when the puck isn't on your blade.

But another part is just learning how to live, train, and condition like a pro which includes caring for yourself in between games and not playing everyday to avoid fatigue.

Campbell may have an influence as well as he's been behind the bench fairly often at Hogs games. Not sure all of what Soupy is teaching them but I know gap control is one of them.

The whole idea is to make the most of your opportunity (extreme example when Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp), or most recent case Jordan Binnington. At some point it is next man up, or new blood that has more talent. There are a slew of AHL hall of famers that never could make it in the big show. Brandon Pirri dominates at the AHL level, and except for one season of 20 goals (and only 2 assists), he is nothing more than an injury fill in.
- LAHawk

I think this is part of the issue for Sikura, i.e. he's not capitlizing enough before the next forward prospects leapfrog him which may have already happened with Highmore and perhaps even Hagel.

However, I don't think Colliton is giving him enough of a shot either. Given a full season at the NHL level, Sikura could grow a lot more. But, yes, time is running out.

Next season could be his last chance particularly if Shaw stays on LTIR and the Hawks decide to not re-sign Caggiula. A bottom 6 spot opens up for him to compete with Hagel for.

I think this is part of the issue for Sikura, i.e. he's not capitlizing enough before the next forward prospects leapfrog him which may have already happened with Highmore and perhaps even Hagel.

However, I don't think Colliton is giving him enough of a shot either. Given a full season at the NHL level, Sikura could grow a lot more. But, yes, time is running out.

Next season could be his last chance particularly if Shaw stays on LTIR and the Hawks decide to not re-sign Caggiula. A bottom 6 spot opens up for him to compete with Hagel for.
- AEL_Fox

I'm pulling for Hagel. I like the path he's taken and the work he's put in. He is very self aware of what he is good at and what he needs to work on.

King says Kurashev is an NHL player. I can't wait to have this dude in our lineup. Hawks should be pretty good in two years
- just69sayin

I am pulling for Kurashev but, I am thinking he may not be one....

I'm pulling for Hagel. I like the path he's taken and the work he's put in. He is very self aware of what he is good at and what he needs to work on.
- Chunk

If I had to wager on it, I would bet Hagel beats out Sikura for a roster spot.

By 2021-22 or 2022-23, the 4th line could be Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel with Soderlund and Barratt in the mix, too. Hagel has potential to play 3rd line.

Also depends on what the Hawks do with Kampf and Carpenter. Simply don't re-sign Kampf after next year when he becomes an RFA in 2022. Carpenter has an extra year before becoming a UFA in 2023.

If I had to wager on it, I would bet Hagel beats out Sikura for a roster spot.

By 2021-22 or 2022-23, the 4th line could be Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel with Soderlund and Barratt in the mix, too. Hagel has potential to play 3rd line.

Also depends on what the Hawks do with Kampf and Carpenter. Simply don't re-sign Kampf after next year when he becomes an RFA in 2022. Carpenter has an extra year before becoming a UFA in 2023.
- AEL_Fox

I'm going to sound like Elbows here, but hopefully Hagel can beat out Smith for a spot!

If I had to wager on it, I would bet Hagel beats out Sikura for a roster spot.

By 2021-22 or 2022-23, the 4th line could be Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel with Soderlund and Barratt in the mix, too. Hagel has potential to play 3rd line.

Also depends on what the Hawks do with Kampf and Carpenter. Simply don't re-sign Kampf after next year when he becomes an RFA in 2022. Carpenter has an extra year before becoming a UFA in 2023.
- AEL_Fox

At $1 mil. Carpenter is here until the end of his contract, worst comes to worst almost all of it can be buried in Rockford.

I'm going to sound like Elbows here, but hopefully Hagel can beat out Smith for a spot!
- Chunk

I read that at as beat the poop out of Smith at first. That would work, too. Anyone could beat Smith out except for a couple of things. His salary and the old school "we need gritty vets" misconception.

Smith doesn't belong in the NHL at this point.

At $1 mil. Carpenter is here until the end of his contract, worst comes to worst almost all of it can be buried in Rockford.
- LAHawk

Meh. He can go away, too. The Hawks need better than the likes of Smith and Carpenter on the 4th line. At the very least, they need guys to flip the ice like the Krugettes used to. Carpenter needs to be on the wing. He is much less effective as a center and he gets pretty much useless when saddled with Smith.

Both aren't very good at puck management. IMESHO, that is an extremely important quality for bottom liners to possess.

Meh. He can go away, too. The Hawks need better than the likes of Smith and Carpenter on the 4th line. At the very least, they need guys to flip the ice like the Krugettes used to. Carpenter needs to be on the wing. He is much less effective as a center and he gets pretty much useless when saddled with Smith.

Both aren't very good at puck management. IMESHO, that is an extremely important quality for bottom liners to possess.
- Elbows15

Frolik is a free agent I believe. Considering we apparently have a glut of 3rd/4th liners in the minors, I'd be happy with trying to dump some of these older guys and let the cheap youngsters fight it out for spots.

Frolik is a free agent I believe. Considering we apparently have a glut of 3rd/4th liners in the minors, I'd be happy with trying to dump some of these older guys and let the cheap youngsters fight it out for spots.
- Chunk

Frolik is as terrible as Smith these days. LBH. Frolik was pretty useless until his last season with the Hawks and that was a PK/4th line guys.

He is a guy who has been overpaid his whole career.

Frolik is as terrible as Smith these days. LBH. Frolik was pretty useless until his last season with the Hawks and that was a PK/4th line guys.

He is a guy who has been overpaid his whole career.
- Elbows15

I wasn't advocating for him. I was just trying to fire up DarthKane.

If I had to wager on it, I would bet Hagel beats out Sikura for a roster spot.

By 2021-22 or 2022-23, the 4th line could be Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel with Soderlund and Barratt in the mix, too. Hagel has potential to play 3rd line.

Also depends on what the Hawks do with Kampf and Carpenter. Simply don't re-sign Kampf after next year when he becomes an RFA in 2022. Carpenter has an extra year before becoming a UFA in 2023.
- AEL_Fox

Hey thanks AEL for the updates .Really liked Soderlund when I seen him in WJC hope he can stay healthy next year .Think he could be a very versatile bottom six forward and excellent PK man .Had a knack for SH goals in the Jr. tournament ,

Agreed. I wasn't trying to make excuses for him. I just thought that he did create a lot of chances, but didn't capitalize on them. At the end of the day, regardless of your size, if you want to play you have to produce.
- Chunk

Tired of worrying about, discussing the 12th-13th Forward on the team. If Nylander, Dach, Dinky and Strome don't take major steps next year it doesn't matter who 12-13 is.

I suspect what we had last season at the AHL level, is a few prospects among the forwards whom appear to have a ticket for bottom line NHL duty. They could be quite good in that role; they actually may be as poor man not a fit to be a scoring #2 wing So I like the speed, skill, grit, and pressure time producers exibited by those prospects. My expectation is that they outplay their opponent in future NHL games.

To round it up, I hope they represent the right mix when they make it to the NHL .Four strong lines and a puck moving defense with lots of hungry young newbies would augment the veterans.. Crawford is the man in goal (still) but both Delia and Laakinen need to receive time in the crease

In the draft whom we might have fall to us at around #9 depends much on the very real possibility that Askarov is too good to last until our pick. But I am not suggesting to try for him. I believe both Askarov and Drysdale will go before we pick.

On yesterday’s date in 1983, the St. Louis Blues refused the participate in the entry draft because the league wouldn’t let the Ralston Purina company sell the team to a group that wanted to move it to Saskatoon. No draft picks for the Blues.

Not quite as bad as it sounds - they didn’t have a first or second round pick anyways.

The animal food company eventually turned the franchise back to the league.