Why the Rockford IceHogs will be better in the 2026-27 season

What started off as a great October for the Rockford IceHogs quickly turned into a nightmare for the rest of the season. The roster was turned over many times due to NHL recalls and injuries, leaving it severely depleted. Currently, they are 26-34-3-2 for a total of 57 points in 65 games, good for sixth in the AHL Central Division. Occupying fifth is the Milwaukee Admirals, with 65 points. Unless the IceHogs put together an impressive win streak and the Admirals lose the majority of their last games, they aren’t going to make the playoffs this season. It’s disappointing, especially since they’ve made the playoffs in the last four seasons. Things may look bad right now, but there are some reasons for optimism. Young guys coming in and key players returning from injury could help the IceHogs get back into the Calder Cup Playoffs next season.

Key players will return from season-ending injuries

The roster for the IceHogs on opening night and the roster now looks completely different because there’s been a lot of injuries to key players. Paul Ludwinski has been out since the third game of the season with a left knee injury. Cavan Fitzgerald missed half of the season with various injuries. Gavin Hayes and Taige Harding have been out since mid-March, with Hayes out for the season if the IceHogs don’t make the playoffs.

All these guys were supposed to be, or have been, difference-makers for them this year. Hayes, in particular, has shown exponential growth over the past few months. Luckily, all four guys are signed through next season, so they’ll get a chance to rejoin the IceHogs fully healthy and ready to go. If they play like they were pre-injury, there’s a good chance they might propel the IceHogs to a playoff spot.

New players will help the IceHogs in a big way

There’s always much excitement when April rolls around on the AHL calendar. That’s when the majority of prospects leave for the AHL. Just in the past few days, Jiri Felcman and Adam Gajan have signed their entry-level contracts with the Blackhawks. Chase Dafoe has had a pretty good start to his professional career.

Sacha Boisvert, AJ Spellacy, and Marek Vanacker will no doubt have a chance to start in Chicago when training camp opens in September, but they’re more than likely going to start the year with the IceHogs. With a severe lack of Blackhawks contracted forwards this year, the offense hasn’t been good at all. Getting actual prospects on their roster will definitely be a step up from the roster they currently have. Replenishing the IceHogs roster through signings and prospects turning pro could help them have more success next season.

The IceHogs are bound to be better next season

Jared Nightingale’s first season as head coach of the IceHogs has brought more bad times than good times. Although callups were to be expected, key injuries have handicapped them in a major way, leaving it a near certainty that they won’t make the playoffs. But fans shouldn’t hit the panic button, as reinforcements will arrive next year, leaving them excited.

Fitzgerald, Harding, Hayes, and Ludwinski will all return from injury-plagued campaigns that have completely wiped out the IceHogs’ depth. Getting them back will be extremely helpful. They also have a ne wave of prospects coming in, with some already coming in like Felcman and Gajan, and some on the way in Boisvert, Spellacy, and Vanacker. If the now-injured players play well and the young prospects play great, they will definitely have a chance to get back in the Calder Cup Playoffs.