The Chicago Blackhawks reassigned forward Ryan Hartman to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League on Thursday.
Hartman, 21, recorded one assist in three games with Chicago and has five points in eight games with Rockford this season. The West Dundee, Ill. native skated in five games for the Hawks last season but did not register a point. The 2013 first-round pick recorded 13 goals and 24 assists in 69 games with the IceHogs last season.
Hartman’s demotion likely points to Marian Hossa returning to the lineup. Hossa missed the past two games with an lower-body injury. Forward Ryan Garbutt registered an assist in Monday’s 4-2 win over Los Angeles while skating on the top line in Hossa’s spot.
Coach Joel Quenneville said Hossa was questionable to make the trip to New Jersey for Friday’s game against the Devils. The Hawks are 1-1 without Hossa, including a 6-5 overtime loss to Central Division foe St. Louis on Wednesday at United Center. The 36-year-old has tallied one goal and there assists in 11 games this season.
Hartman demotion likely means Hossa return. Possible lines: Panarin-Toews-Hossa Teuvo-Anisimov-Kane Dano-Kero-Garbutt Desi-Krugs-Shaw
— Second City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) November 5, 2015