Down on the Farm Report: Celebrating 1,000 AHL Games, Carlsson and Pirri Head to Rockford, Teply’s Return, More

The Rockford IceHogs are celebrating their 1,000th AHL game tonight, taking on the Grand Rapids Griffins at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. Unfortunately, 2021 hasn’t been a season filled with much celebration, as the IceHogs have started things off with a 1-6-1 record through their first eight games.

Despite plenty of promise coming into the NHL’s training camp session in January, the IceHogs had a plethora of talent plucked from them due to early injuries to the Chicago Blackhawks and the new Taxi Squad system this season. So head coach Derek King is working with the cards he’s been dealt, and just like every other AHL club this year, they are facing new challenges every day.

That said, it would be a breath of fresh air to get the win in game No. 1,000 (Rockford’s only win this season came at home against the Cleveland Monsters).

Tonight’s game also marks the beginning of a four-game homestand, bookended by games against the Griffins (tonight and next Thursday March, 11th), with two tilts agains the Iowa Wild over the weekend.

Fortunately, Rockford will benefit by some players returning from the Blackhawks.

On Wednesday morning, the big league team sent defenseman Lucas Carlsson and forward Brandon Pirri to the IceHogs. This followed roster moves last Friday that saw goaltender Collin Delia, defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk and Nicolas Beaudin, and forward Reese Johnson head to the AHL, with Mikael Hakkarainen, Brad Morrison, and Matt Tomkins move to the Chicago Taxi Squad.

It was notable to see players like Beaudin and Delia come down over the weekend.

Beaudin was playing very well in his time with the Blackhawks, but with the returns of Adam Boqvist and Connor Murphy from injury and the COVID Protocol list, Beaudin was the odd-man out and was sent to the IceHogs to stay fresh and in game-shape.

Delia, meanwhile, had not played since the third game of the season for the Blackhawks.

He was sent to Rockford on a conditioning assignment, meaning he could avoid having to go through waivers to be sent down, so as long as he is recalled after 14 days. Delia made his season debut with the IceHogs right away in his first game with the club, making 24 saves on 30 shots faced against the Cleveland Monsters in a forgettable 6-3 loss.

Along with the reinforcements from the Blackhawks, the IceHogs should get rookie forward Michal Teply back in the lineup soon. Teply has played in only one game this season, all the way back on February 6 against the Chicago Wolves, when he had two shots on goal in the 5-4 loss.

In news away from the ice, the Blackhawks are reportedly set to purchase the IceHogs from the city of Rockford.

The IceHogs have been the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks since the 2007-08 season, but have been independently owned and operated during that time. The Blackhawks are one of the few NHL teams in the league that do not have ownership over their minor league affiliate. Chicago plans to have $20 million put into upgrades and renovations to the BMO Harris Bank Center as part of the purchase, ensuring that they do not plan to move the IceHogs out of Rockford, but rather invest in the market.

In NCAA prospects news, Notre Dame’s Landon Slaggert has been on a tear recently. In his last eight games, Slaggert has 11 points and had a four-game point streak going. He was named the National Rookie of the Month of February by the Hockey Commissioners Association.

https://twitter.com/NDHockey/status/1367159544028266500?s=20

In 22 games this season, Slaggert has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points with Notre Dame. The Irish are unranked this season at 12-12-2, sitting fourth in the Big Ten.

In overseas prospect news, goalie prospect Ivan Nalimov has had his contract terminated by Dinamo Riga in the KHL earlier this week and is expected to head to the U.S. He had a 2-11-0 record with a .877 save percentage and a 3.58 GAA with Dinamo Riga this season.

Nalimov’s right are still held by the Blackhawks and he would likely join the IceHogs if he is returning to play in North America.

He signed a PTO last season with the IceHogs, but shortly after had to return to Russia due to the pandemic.

Nalimov, who turns 27 years old in less than two weeks, has played on eight teams in his eight-year KHL career after being drafted by the Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft. He has a career KHL record of 60-73-14, with a .910 save percentage and a 2.63 GAA.

Staying overseas in the DEL, 2020 first-round drat pick Lukas Reichel is having a hell of a season.

Reichel is regularly playing top-six minutes with Eisbären Berlin, and is tied for fourth on the team in points (17). Last season, Reichel finished with 24 points in 42 games and is on pace this season to finish with 32 points through 38 games played.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

more blackhawks news

Blackhawks 0, Senators 2 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

Remember when the Blackhawks went to California for three games and started each game like they had 45 minutes of hockey to start caring? And dug a deep hole in each game that they were only able to escape from...

Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more blackhawks news