The Blackhawks made a number of roster moves on Friday, sending Collin Delia to the Rockford IceHogs for conditioning, also moving Nicolas Beaudin, Reese Johnson and Wyatt Kalynuk to the AHL affiliate.
In addition, the Blackhawks recalled Mikael Hakkarainen, Brad Morrison and goaltender Matt Tomkins from the IceHogs to the taxi squad.
ROSTER MOVES: Forwards Brad Morrison and Mikael Hakkarainen and goaltender Matt Tomkins were re-assigned to the taxi squad from the @goicehogs.
Forward Reese Johnson, defensemen Nicolas Beaudin and Wyatt Kalynuk were re-assigned to Rockford.#Blackhawks https://t.co/1hCvEQCqc8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 26, 2021
Delia hadn’t played in a game since Jan. 17 for the Blackhawks. He has a .863 save percentage in two games for Chicago this season and can spend up to 14 days with Rockford due to conditioning.
Beaudin was out of the lineup with Adam Boqvist back from COVID-19 protocol and Connor Murphy returning from injured reserve. Beaudin hasn’t played since Feb. 19 but has two goals and three assists in 11 games with the Blackhawks this season, averaging 14:03 of ice time per game. Johnson played in three games with the Blackhawks this season without recording a point.
Hakkarainen is without a point through five AHL games. Morrison is the team leader for Rockford with four points in four games and Tomkins has a .881 save percentage through five games with the IceHogs.
In addition, the Blackhawks saw a trio of franchise greats — Marian Hossa, Chris Chelios and Denis Savard — join team historian Bob Verdi for a call with season ticket holders. Here are some of the highlights:
Savard. Chelios. Hossa. Verdi.#Blackhawks legends gathered for a video call with season ticketholders ahead of this weekend’s #CHIvsDET back-to-back! https://t.co/kqxqDr5EcR
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 26, 2021
Savard and Chelios are both Blackhawks team ambassadors, with Savard having served since 2008 and Chelios since 2018. Hossa is still technically a part of the Coyotes franchise (his contract expires after this season) but will likely be brought in for retirement rites (like his number being retired) when fans are back in the building next season. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.
In other news, it was announced that the United Center will serve as a mass vaccination location to expedite distribution throughout Chicago in accordance with FEMA. This has followed the United Center serving as a polling location and a food storage facility over the last year.
United Center statement on becoming a vaccination location pic.twitter.com/3sADmPcB5f
— United Center (@UnitedCenter) February 26, 2021
The Blackhawks play a back-to-back set against the Red Wings starting Saturday at 7 p.m.