Chicago Blackhawks Farm Report: Andrew Shaw and Dylan Olsen to Make NHL Debuts

The Chicago Blackhawks have utilized their growing talent in Rockford over the first half of the season. Thursday in Philadelphia, two more Ice Hogs get their shot at the NHL.

Forward Andrew Shaw and defenseman Dylan Olsen were recalled on Wednesday morning and will be making their NHL debuts against the Flyers. With Steve Montador and Marcus Kruger moving to injured reserve and Daniel Carcillo out for the foreseeable future, two hardworking Ice Hogs will get their shot.

Shaw, whom the team signed to his entry-level contract on Tuesday, is the team's fifth-round selection in the 2011 NHL Draft. He had been playing in Rockford on an AHL deal this season. Shaw is a scrappy player who gets to the net and fears no opponent, regardless of size.

The 20-year-old Shaw has been one of Rockford's hottest players in December, coming off an eight-goal performance last month. Through 33 games, he had 12 goals and 21 points. He trails only Brandon Pirri in goals for the Ice Hogs and is third in scoring.

Coach Joel Quenneville had Shaw skating with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in Wednesday's practice. Right now it looks like he's going to get a shot at Carcillo's top-six minutes.

Shaw is generously listed as 5'11" and 180 pounds. He is going to have his hands full with NHL opponents, but he goes into the dirty areas with no hesitation. He has earned his call-up with hard-nosed play. Ironically, he fought Olsen in the preseason and got the best of the 6' 3" defenseman. He also squared off with Carcillo in camp.

Shaw has an exciting player for the Ice Hogs this season. The jury is out on how he handles his first taste of NHL action, but there is no question that he's earned the opportunity. Look for him in the number 65 Indian head sweater.

Olsen skated with veteran Sean O'Donnell in practice and looks like he'll start on the third pairing Thursday. Olsen, 21, still looks like he stepped out of a high school study hall, so teaming with the 40-year-old O'Donnell is a true May-December duo.

Don't expect a lot of offense from the 'Hawks first-rounder of 2009. He aspires to be a true stay-at-home defender, with just one goal (his only one as a pro) and one assist in Rockford through 30 games.

Olsen is beginning to toughen up in his first full season of professional hockey. He played 42 games for the Ice Hogs last season after leaving the University of Minnesota-Duluth with academic issues. Olsen will be wearing number 34 Thursday night.

Pirri an AHL All-Star

Brandon Pirri was selected to the AHL's Western Conference All-Star team Wednesday. The Ice Hogs center leads the team with 14 goals and 32 points this season. Pirri has played four games with the Blackhawks this season.

Rockford scuffling for wins in December

The Ice Hogs are still in the basement of the AHL's Western Conference. They went 3-8-0-3 in December and have the worst record in the league at 11-18-1-3.

LeBlanc Red-Hot In Return to Lineup

The two hottest players in Rockford in December were Shaw and forward Peter LeBlanc, who was a seventh-round selection by the 'Hawks in 2006. Since being scratched for three games in early November, LeBlanc has 10 goals and 6 assists since November 16th.

Like Shaw, LeBlanc is playing under an AHL contract. He's not a big guy (think of a shorter, squatter version of Ben Smith), but has excelled on the checking line in Rockford. LeBlanc was a late cut in training camp, though the 'Hawks don't have exclusive rights to him.

Salak, Beach still out

Kyle Beach is still out with a severe shoulder injury. If he returns at all to action, it will be in March.

Alexander Salak has not played since injuring his leg December 2. Alec Richards has not taken advantage of the increased ice time and Carter Hutton, an AHL signing by the Ice Hogs, has fallen off after a solid start replacing Salak. No Ice Hog goalie has a goals against average under three or a save percentage above .893. That tells a big part of the struggles the team has faced this season.

Morin Battles Nets, Opponents

Since being sent down after three games in Chicago, Jeremy Morin has four assists, no goals and 21 penalty minutes. Morin has been struggling to score goals this season and is playing with a recklessness of Beach-like proportions.

Morin took dumb penalties in Rockford's last two defeats and seems bent on proving he's a tough guy. He has 77 minutes in penalties, good for third on the Ice Hogs. He really seems off his game, as he is a goal-scorer with great hands.

With goals hard to come by, Morin seems to be attempting to help out in other facets of his game. That may be the case, but it really doesn't seem to be helping his development.