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The Blackhawks placed defenseman Jan Rutta on waivers Thursday morning, according to multiple reports.
The 28-year-old was a healthy scratch Wednesday night against Pittsburgh as Carl Dahlstrom was called up from the AHL. Dahlstrom, 23, had an assist, three shots and a plus-2 rating and logged 22:24 of ice time across 30 shifts in his season debut.
Rutta joined the Blackhawks as a free agent out of the Czech Republic prior to the 2017-18 season. The right-handed blue liner, who missed some playing time with a groin injury last season, posted six goals and 14 assists in 57 games during his first season in North America. He re-signed with Chicago on a one-year deal worth $2.25 million in March.
Rutta has two goals and four assists in 23 contests during his second campaign with Chicago. The other 30 NHL teams will now have 24 hours to claim Rutta off waivers, and if they don’t he’ll be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs.