The Chicago Blackhawks collected a ton of young talent over the past number of years being a rebuilding team, and many won't make it and stick on the Blackhawks. Cole Guttman is one of them despite his strong ability to score.
He wasn't really given a great shot in the NHL with the Blackhawks, playing just 41 games over two seasons. He averaged over 13 minutes per game and had an over 50% faceoff percentage, but only played for the Rockford IceHogs last season, not in the NHL at all.
Since turning pro out of the NCAA, Guttman has played almost four full seasons. In terms of AHL production, he has been one of the most efficient and consistent over the four seasons. He has scored 72 goals and 162 points in 191 games. Last season, his final with the Blackhawks organization, Guttman finished 19th in AHL scoring with 57 points.
But after not being given much of a shot in the NHL over the past three seasons, Guttman is now 26 years old and still in the AHL, so the Blackhawks moved on from him to make room. He found himself in the LA Kings organization and is playing for their AHL team, the Ontario Reign, all season.
Guttman has 17 goals and 35 points in 43 games and is enjoying lots of scoring on the Reign with Andre Lee, Martin Chromiak, Nikita Alexandrov, and Glen Gawdin. There might be an opportunity down the road for Guttman if he continues to perform and grind, but sometimes opportunities just don't come, even though he showed promise in his short time in the NHL.
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