The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned defenseman David Rundblad, who was on loan to ZSC Lions of the Swiss League, to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, the team announced Friday.
Rundblad, 25, scored two goals and 13 assists in 11 games for ZSC Lions. He recorded one assist in four playoff games. The Hawks save $950,000 in salary cap space by having him in Rockford. $100,000 of his $1.05 million will still count against the cap, according to CapFriendly.
Rundblad’s $100,000 cap hit is the same whether he’s in the AHL or a European professional league. He would have to pass through waivers again for the Hawks to terminate his contract.
Rundblad was a healthy scratch for 28 of the Hawks’ first 37 games this season. He had two assists in nine games this season for the Hawks. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.05 million in June after recording three goals and 14 points in 49 games last season. He played in two Stanley Cup Final games in the spring to get his name on the Cup.