Why Dillon Boucher and Connor Mylymok both received one year NHL deals

Kyle Davidson has been extremely busy over the last few weeks. He’s signed and re-signed many players, such as Bowen Byram, Ian Cole, Drew Commesso, and Cole Smith. Looking at the list of those he’s signed so far may have fans wondering who two people on it are.

Dillon Boucher and Connor Mylymok both have signed one-year, two-way contracts with the Blackhawks. Both of them suited up for the Rockford IceHogs last season in very specific roles. They were used as fourth-line grinders, as Boucher had 114 penalty minutes in 53 games and Mylymok had 204 penalty minutes in 52 games. The two men were on AHL deals that were upgraded to NHL deals for this upcoming season. This may seem confusing, as the NHL has largely moved away from enforcer-type players. But there are some good reasons as to why the Blackhawks signed them to NHL deals in the first place

Rockford is still an extremely young team

The IceHogs missed the playoffs last year after battling numerous call-ups and injuries. However, the silver lining is that they were very young last year and still are young this year. Elite Prospects lists them currently at an average age of 25.08, with guys like Sacha Boisvert, Jiri Felcman, AJ Spellacy, and Marek Vanacker playing in their first full professional season.

That means that a lot of young players will be taking the ice for the IceHogs this upcoming season. They need players to stick up for them when they get disrespected or hit on the ice. That’s where Boucher and Mylymok come in. They aren’t afraid to hit back or fight someone who did something bad to some of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. With so many young players on the roster, there are going to be times when they’re on the receiving end of a huge hit. Boucher and Mylymok sticking up for them will show respect by defending them.

They’ll provide a constant presence the entire season

Boucher and Mylymok will more than likely spend the entire year with the IceHogs. That means that they’ll be an intimidating presence on the ice for the whole season. They have more tough-guy forwards on the team like Boisvert and Spellacy, as well as Samuel Savoie returning from last season. Boisvert and Spellacy are two top prospects looking to have a great rookie season, while Savoie had 26 points in 62 games last year. But they are way more likely to be called up throughout the course of the season.

In addition, Davidson signed Smith and traded for Jordan Greenway, who will be on the fourth line for the Blackhawks when the season starts in September. That leaves no room for Boucher and Mylymok. However, both men know their role perfectly. Stick up for the young players as they move up the lineup and to Chicago. Signing them to NHL deals shows that the Blackhawks trust them in their current role.

Boucher and Mylymok deserve their contract extensions

Last season was a disaster for the IceHogs.But there were still bright spots, such as Lardis and Nazar moving up to the NHL full-time. Boucher and Mylymok were also bright spots, as they understood their role by sticking up for an extremely young team with barely any AHL experience. The same thing will be expected of them this season. With many guys preparing for their first full AHL seasons, veteran toughness will be needed to make sure they don’t get hurt and stall their development, which is what they will bring.

They are extremely low on the depth chart, with guys like Boisvert and Spellacy more than likely getting call-ups, and Greenway and Smith getting signed in free agency. Getting NHL deals means that the Blackhawks don’t just view them as typical enforcers. They recognize how they helped a young IceHogs team last year and rewarded them for doing the same this upcoming season.

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