The Chicago Blackhawks have made their third round of cuts from training camp this year. This group includes six more players (five forwards and one defenseman).
Half of the players have appeared in an NHL game and more will eventually. The six, all sent back to the AHL to play for the Rockford IceHogs to begin the season, include Colton Dach, Landon Slaggert, Samuel Savoie, Cole Guttman, Ethan Del Mastro, and Ryder Rolston.
Del Mastro had a strong AHL rookie season and earned a two-game trial at the end of last season. While his regular defense partner, Nolan Allan, is still in the running for a spot, Del Mastro should slot back into the top pairing for the IceHogs this season. He may earn another shot later this season with the Blackhawks.
Guttman is the oldest of the six at age 25, but he has proven to be a fringe NHLer. He got into 27 games last season and 14 the season prior. In the AHL, he scored 16 goals and 40 points in 39 games. I don’t doubt he will get the call this season as he has some experience and proven ability at both levels.
Slaggert came right out of university to finish out the 2023-24 season with the Blackhawks. He got into 16 games and scored one goal and four points. He is hard-working and an interesting player. He should eventually find himself in a bottom-6 role, possibly as soon as this season, but it’s not so easy with all the competition.
Dach hasn’t managed to stay that healthy, but he did complete his rookie season in the AHL in 2023-24. It was a solid season for him, but it will take a little more time and development before he is ready to step into the NHL. He should get good looks in the AHL with Rockford this season.
Rolston was also an AHL rookie last season, but not as promising as the rest of the group here. For now, he will hang around the AHL, but will be looking to improve upon the 10 goals and 19 points the 22-year-old put up last season with the IceHogs.
Savoie has graduated from the QMJHL where he had back-to-back strong seasons. It makes a lot of sense that he didn’t make the cut as he will also need conditioning in the AHL in his first taste of professional hockey. We should hear his name come up throughout the season following the IceHogs, but I don’t anticipate he gets a look with Chicago this season.
Related: Chicago Blackhawks Make 8 More Cuts From Training Camp
The Blackhawks’ training camp roster is now down to 35 players including 19 forwards, 11 defensemen, and five goalies.
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