The Icehogs Are Coming! The IceHogs are Coming!

Mar 18, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Jimmy Hayes (39) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Stanton was at the Hawks morning skate today, but he probably won’t be the only former IceHog to make it on to the ice Saturday in St. Louis for the season finale.  Brandon Pirri, Jimmy Hayes, Jeremy Morin, Ben Smith, Adam Clendening, Shawn Lelonde, and Henrik Karlsson were all recalled from Rockford today, which was announced after Hawks morning skate today.

With Rockford not qualifying for the Calder Cup playoffs the Hawks have the luxury of calling up the “Black Aces” earlier than most teams. The one thing about these players is that they were all playing very good hockey even though they missed the playoffs having gone 20-6-1 to end the season.  Hayes and Morin both filled in nicely while Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa were injured during this shortened season.

The biggest concern going into the last game against the Blues is health for the playoffs, and with absolutely nothing to play for as per many discussions here and Twitter many fans have suggested just rolling out the Icehogs and letting the Hawks rest in Game #48.

Coach Quenneville now has the decision to make on Saturday from a roster full of players on who to play and who to rest.  The Icehogs have arrived, the question is now how many of them will we see on the ice Saturday. The future looks bright with these Hogs and hopefully we can catch a glimpse of most them this weekend.

What do you think should the Hawks play all the Hogs tomorrow?

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