Which IceHogs on expiring entry-level contracts can make their way to the Blackhawks this season?

This season, the Rockford IceHogs will celebrate twenty seasons as the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Since that time, they’ve sent hundreds of prospects to the NHL. A lot of them ended up sticking with Chicago, or another NHL team, after the call up. Just last season, fans saw Nick Lardis and Oliver Moore play with the Blackhawks after spending the first couple of weeks of the season in Rockford. This season others might join them, such as Sacha Boisvert, Drew Commesso, and AJ Spellacy.

But there are always prospects that play out their entry level contracts that might only get into games in their second or third year, or they never get called up to Chicago at all. That doesn’t always mean they'll never get a chance, it’s just that Blackhawks' management couldn’t find a spot for them or they just didn’t impress with the IceHogs. With many ELC’s expiring at the end of this season, which players could get a shot with Chicago?

Some Rockford players have impressed so far

The Blackhawks have spent the past several years rebuilding and collecting draft picks. A majority of them have signed ELC’s and have played for the IceHogs. Many haven’t gotten a chance to get to the NHL yet. Samuel Savoie is someone entering the last year of his ELC that showed improvement from two years ago. In his first year, he had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 72 games. Last year, he had 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 62 games.

Another player who had a great season was Gavin Hayes. Two years ago, he only had five goals and ten assists for 15 points in 50 games. This season, he had 13 goals and assists for 26 points in 57 games. However, 10 of those points came in his last 16 games.

If they continue their points progression, both Savoie and Hayes might play some games with Chicago this season.

A few players need to have a bounceback season

There are some Blackhawks prospects that didn’t live up to expectations who are entering the final year of their contracts. Two years ago, Paul Ludwinski only managed seven goals and five assists in 65 games with the IceHogs. This was after a 23 goal and 46 assist performance in 60 games with the OHL Kingston Frontenacs during the 2023-24 season. He was set for a rebound campaign in 2025-26, but his comeback got cut way too short after a left knee injury ended his season after just three games.

Martin Misiak had an impressive final season in the OHL with the Erie Otters in the 2024-25 season. In the regular season, he had 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 60 games. However, that production didn’t translate at all with the IceHogs last season. He only registered four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 63 games.

Both Ludwinski and Misiak are examples of needong to step up their point production, or they’ll risk not being tendered a contract at the end of the season.

Which players could make their NHL debuts this season?

The Blackhawks had a tremendous offseason, re-signing Connor Bedard, signing Patrick Kane, and trading for Bowen Byram. It seems they’re on the road to competing for a playoff spot. There are a few spots left to fill on the roster, with a lot of competition bound to happen at training camp.

Guys like Hayes and Savoie showed a ton of growth on a bad IceHogs team last season. Even if they get called up to the Blackhawks and get fourth-line minutes, they’ll still be making their NHL debuts.

Others like Ludwinski and Misiak will have to improve to be in consideration for a call up this season. Ludwinski’s season ended unfairly early, so he’ll definitely have something to prove. Misiak has a lot to prove as well, as he hasn’t lived up to the 55th overall pick just yet. If they can show improvement this season, they could potentially get a look with the Blackhawks.

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