Hog Thoughts: What's The Plan With Cole Guttman?

The 25-year-old forward has been a top producer in Rockford for three years now

(C/ Rockford IceHogs)

By Jack Masters, Icehogs Analyst, @hogthought on X

ROCKFORD--Shadowed by big-name prospects like Lukas Reichel, Frank Nazar, Alex Vlasic, and Artyom Levshunov, Cole Guttman has slid under the radar as Rockford's most reliable forward. Putting up 86 points in his first 99 games in the AHL, as well as being Rockford's most reliable hand in the face-off dot on top of a solid 2-way game, Guttman has anchored a Rockford roster that has seen it's fair share of up's and down's.

Originally a 2017 6th-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guttman, an undersized 5'9 center, went unsigned by the Lightning. He jumped on board with the University of Denver, playing 4 seasons and capping it off with a national championship in 2022 while captain of the Pioneers. Becoming a somewhat highly sought-after UFA when his rights expired with Tampa, the Blackhawks swooped up Guttman with a 2-year ELC in 2022.

Joining the Icehogs to start the 2022-2023 season, it became evident Tampa Bay had let value slip through the cracks. But how much value? Is Guttman a player who if given the right opportunity, can thrive as a middle to bottom-six forward? Or Is he more on the path as an elite AHL depth piece?

Guttman Captained the University of Denver to it's 9th NCAA Championship in 2022. Posting 45 points in 41 games, Guttman also stood out with a +20 rating. (AP Photo/ Micheal Dwyer)

Guttman debuted with the IceHogs in the 2022-2023 season, and caught the attention of Hawks fans right off the start. With 30 points in 39 games, Guttman quickly became a reliable top-6 piece among a strong IceHogs roster with names like David Gust, Brett Seney, Lukas Reichel and Luke Philp.

His biggest ability in Rockford seemed to be his flexibility. A two-way center, Guttman showed the skill and vision needed to drive an AHL offense at a top-line center role at 5 on 5 or a powerplay scenario. He also has the vision and growing defensive awareness needed to be a standout on Rockford's penalty kill. All of this contributed to a first-year NHL call-up.

Making his NHL debut on Feb. 15th, Guttman rose from a player left un-signed by his drafting team, to NCAA National Champion, to an almost point-per-game player in the AHL on a UFA-ELC to his NHL debut in a span of under a year.

Through his 14 NHL games in 2023, Guttman posted 6 points and was a +1, a solid statistical showing for the rookie. After a late-season shoulder surgery cost him a chance at post-season hockey via the AHL Playoffs, hopes were high for Guttman. The Blackhawks had seemingly found a middle to bottom-six role-player as a UFA rookie.

On a noteably worse 2023-2024 Blackhawks team, Guttman had the chance of more playing time. Guttman started the season with the Blackhawks and scored a goal in the season opener in Pittsburgh, but went pointless in the next two and found himself back in the AHL.

After a rash of injuries, Guttman found himself again joining the Blackhawks on November 24th. In 24 games between November 24th and January 19th, Guttman posted 7 points and a rating of -6. He showed flexibility in the lineup but a step back in production had knocked Guttman down from a potential third line center of the future, to a depth piece amid the incoming prospects like Frank Nazar, Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert.

(Cole Guttman/ C/ Chicago Blackhawks

Returning to Rockford to finish the season, Guttman ended his year with a boom. Centering a line with newly-aquired veteran Rem Pitlick, Guttman led the Icehogs with 31 points in his final 27 games. He showcased his offensive play-making ability and continued to play well on both the powerplay and penalty kill.

Through two AHL seasons, Guttman had shown all he had needed at the AHL level. But after not taking the next step at the NHL level, what were the Hawks to do with him? That question was answered on June 20th, when the Blackhawks inked him to a one year, two-way contract.

He's returned for the 2024-25 season certainly lower on the depth chart. But he has not let that stop him from continuing his success in Rockford. With 16 points in his first 21 games, this time as a second-line center, he's had to show more flexibilty.

It's clear for him to take that next step to the NHL he's going to have to play a "dirtier" game. As a 5'9 center, especially one without a specific skill that stands out, his success will depend on his ability to play below the circles in the offensive zone with a high motor. In short, due to his size, he's gonna have to be an asshole who's hard on the puck. Whether it's on his stick or the oppositions.

Part of me thinks if he's given a shot in Anders Sorensen's fore-check heavy system, Guttman could thrive with the Blackhawks. His ability to hunt pucks on the forecheck has been noticeable in Rockford this season and he's had his hand in the success of players like Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach.

In the meantime Guttman will continue to grow in Rockford. An important "veteran" on a young Icehogs team, he could get a third shot in the NHL if the Blackhawks come calling for Guttman as they look to fill the hole in their lineup at center. Second line center has Frank Nazar's name all over it, but if Jason Dickinson is traded, Guttman may get another look in the bottom 6 if the Blackhawks want players like Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert in Rockford longer.

In terms of his individual future, it may most likely be elsewhere. In an era where NHL clubs look at players as assets who's value will come via their lineup or a trade to bring value back, Guttman and his one-year deal don't scream trade-value. His AHL stats will guarantee him a job somewhere and he will always have the ability to jump into an NHL lineup if needed. For now, we will and see if that call-up happens. If it does, it assuredly will determine his future in Chicago. A succesful stretch with the Hawks could see them look to bring him back as an option for their bottom-six, an unsuccessful one could spell the end of the Cole Guttman era for IceHogs and Blackhawks fans alike.

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