It’s that time of year again! The time when bad teams sell off their good players and take on bad contracts. Good teams try to add that one special piece that will send them to the top of the hockey mountain where they’ll meet the final boss — the Stanley Cup.
It is . . . TRADE DEADLINE TIME!
It’s a fun little game we go through every year in the hockey world. Most of the moves are somewhat predictable and don’t come as a huge surprise. That’s saved for silly season in the summer!
In a season that can be described by the word “TANK”, the Chicago Blackhawks have been expected to make a lot of roster moves near the deadline. The biggest names all season have been Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. With Toews now officially off the table as he continues dealing with Long COVID symptoms, all eyes are on #88.
But while everyone is distracted by “Showtime” suddenly reversing the clock by 10 years and completely going off on the scoresheet, the Blackhawks have been making some more minor roster moves in preparation for the deadline and eventual IceHogs push to the playoffs.
The Rockford IceHogs being the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.
The biggest move came this morning when the Blackhawks sent forward Josiah Slavin to the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, Hunter Drew will be heading to the IceHogs.
Around The AHL
The Players
Hunter Drew, 24, is listed as 6’2″ right-winger who can also slot in on defense. This year with the San Diego Gulls, he has posted five goals and six assists in 44 games. He has seen very brief NHL action — two games with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2021-22 season. His numbers this year don’t seem to impress, but he registered 17 goals and 21 assists in 64 games during the Gulls 21-22 season. San Diego currently sits at the bottom of the American Hockey League with a record of 14-37-1, so perhaps Drew’s stat line doesn’t tell the full story there.
Josiah Slavin (brother of Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin), 24, is a 6’3″ left-winger who can also play down the middle. After joining the IceHogs at the conclusion of his collegiate career in 2021, Josiah put up three goals and four assists in just 15 games. Not only did he produce right away, but he was one of the best skaters on a very young Rockford team. Last season with the Hogs, he scored 18 goals and 14 assists which appeared to signify how his career was going to trend — up, up, and up!
That brings us to this year. Through 51 games with the IceHogs, he has three goals and eight assists. It’s been quite a down year for the younger Slavin brother. He’s still utilized on the penalty kill and is a very smart player, but the points just haven’t been coming. He’s been less noticeable this season than any other time during his young professional career.
Conclusion
This trade could be a classic change-of-scenery move for two players having seemingly down years.
Being in the Central Division, Rockford doesn’t see San Diego very often. I’m curious to see what Hunter Drew will bring to the IceHogs roster.
As for Josiah Slavin, it seems really early for the Blackhawks to give up on him. One down season does not spell out disaster, and most players rebound from them. But, if they didn’t see a place in their lineup for him going forward, this could give him an easier path the NHL. Josiah has been a great community member here in Rockford, IL. He’s a fan favorite and a guy who is easy to root for.
IceHogs Nation wishes Josiah Slavin nothing but the best in this new chapter of his career out in California!
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