The Blackhawks re-assigned left-handed defenseman Dennis Gilbert to the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL on Wednesday night.
Gilbert played in only two of a possible seven games during his NHL call up since Oct. 23. He served as the eighth defensemen during Chicago’s recent four-game road trip and last played Oct. 29 at Nashville, where he was on the ice for two goals against in 15:22 minutes during a 3-0 loss.
The 22-year-old has no shots, a 44.58 Corsi-For rating and minus-3 rating in three NHL games this season. Prior to his call up, Gilbert skated in three AHL games.
With the move, the Blackhawks have seven active defensemen: Adam Boqvist, Calvin de Haan, Erik Gustafsson, Duncan Keith, Slater Koekkoek, Olli Maatta and Brent Seabrook.
I would expect a Hawks’ D roster move today.
Most likely Gilbert will be reassigned to Rockford. It’s not out of the question that Koekkoek could be waved, and that could also happen when Murphy returns from IR, if the plan is to keep Boqvist in the NHL indefinitely.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 6, 2019
Connor Murphy (groin) can return from long-term injury reserve Nov. 16 in Nashville. Boqvist has played in three NHL games, and if he plays in nine or fewer games his entry-level contract will slide to the 2020-21 campaign. The Blackhawks have not stated whether they plan to keep him beyond that nine-game mark and use the first year of his contract this season.
Chicago, who has lost three of its last four, hosts the Canucks on Thursday night. The IceHogs, meanwhile, have won four straight after their 3-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs) on Wednesday and host the Manitoba Moose (Jets) on Friday.