Rockford IceHogs 2026-27 American Hockey League Season Preview
With the pressure on the Chicago Blackhawks to make the playoffs and be a competitive team, where does that leave the Rockford IceHogs, their American Hockey League affiliate?
Video Transcript
I can't remember where Jackson Lacombe was.
I think he was like bottom 10, maybe even bottom five or seven.
17.
Okay.
I think he was number 17.
Th- that guy's rising.
That, that- I agree Jackson Lacombe is going to be, I don't know if a top five, but I could see him being a top 10 defenseman.
He's one of the risers.
We talked about Matthew Schaefer.
He'll, he will be a, a top five defenseman, I think, by the end of this season.
In terms of guys who are falling, Victor Hedman's still on that list, Ryan.
You know?
I just don't see him being a top 20 defenseman anymore.
We saw what happened in the playoffs and in the season.
He just, it's not the same Victor Hedman, you know?
Mm-hmm.
Father Time comes for us all, unfortunately, and I think it's really coming for Hedman, and I, I don't know what that means for Tampa Bay, now that they've lost also d- you know, Radish on defense.
Mm-hmm.
And Ryan McDonagh's basically, he, he's getting up there in age as well.
So yeah, I agree.
The Lightning are gonna be very interesting to watch in the coming years, 'cause they obviously have the firepower up front in the goaltending.
Mike Augello, what do you think in terms of risers or fallers?
Yeah, but Tampa brought in that spring chicken, John Carlson, so there you go.
I- in terms of, in terms of risers, I mean, Schaefer is the, is the no, no doubter.
I think Mort Sider could end up being a top five defenseman.
I think he's already firmly established, and he's really good defensively, but he, I think there's more there offensively.
So sh- besides Schaefer, it's him.
In terms of, guys who'll fall, I mean, I agree on Hedman.
And Roman Josi's 30, 35, and he's- a great player, but I think age is, is gonna take its toll fairly soon, and I would not be surprised if he falls outside the top 20
