Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy will play Saturday against the Predators in Nashville after Chicago activated him from long-term injured reserve.
Murphy missed 11 games with a groin injury that also caused him to miss the latter part of preseason and Chicago’s regular-season opener in Prague. The 26-year-old did not record a point in six games before he was sidelined, but formed a strong defensively reliable top-line pairing with Duncan Keith.
In a corresponding move, the Blackhawks re-assigned rookie Adam Boqvist to the AHL on Thursday. The 19-year-old Boqvist exceeded expectations, specifically in his own end, and had one goal in six games. He’ll receive more ice time with the Rockford IceHogs and be able to play in all situations than he would in the NHL.