The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Gustav Forsling from the AHL and retroactively placed Marcus Kruger, who has been dealing with a left leg injury, on injured reserve to Nov. 9, the team announced Tuesday. Forsling is the first callup from Rockford for head coach Jeremy Colliton.
Forsling, who had surgery July 31 on his right wrist, played in five games for the IceHogs during his conditioning stint. He missed four games with a groin injury, but dished out two assists in Rockford’s 4-3 win over the Chicago Wolves on Saturday at Allstate Arena.
The left-handed defenseman scored three goals and 13 points in 41 games with the Blackhawks last season before being assigned to Rockford the rest of the season. He recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in 18 regular-season contests and another five points (a goal, four assists) in 13 playoff games.
Forsling is expected to see on time on the third defensive pairing with Jan Rutta ($2.3M). Brandon Davidson ($650K) and Brandon Manning ($2.25M) have both seen time on left side of the third pairing, but have proven to be a liability on the back end. Forsling ($872.5K) is the final year of his three-year entry-level contract. Manning is the only player among the foursome signed for the 2019-2020 season.
The roster move now gives the Blackhawks eight defenseman. Davidson (right leg) did not participate in Tuesday’s practice.
Kruger missed back-to-back games this week after he was tripped by Clark Bishop late in the second period of the Blackhawks’ 4-3 loss to Carolina at the United Center. Kruger skated off under his own power, but did not return to play the third period. By placing Kruger on IR retroactively to Nov. 9, he could return as soon as Friday against the Kings. He has two goals in 16 games this season.
Rookie Luke Johnson has seen time in Kruger’s absence centering the fourth line.
The Blackhawks look to end their season-long eight-game losing streak when they host the Blues on Wednesday at the United Center.