Marcus Kruger will hit the ice in the fall with No. 16 for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kruger changed numbers mid-season to accommodate Andrew Ladd, switching from No. 16 to No. 22. Ladd previously wore No. 16 his entire career, including during his three-year stint in Chicago from 2007-10. The 25-year-old Swedish forward had wore the number his entire six-year NHL career.
But No. 22 will still be on the ice with free agent forward acquisition Jordin Tootoo, who wore the number with the New Jersey Devils prior to signing with the Hawks. The 33-year-old has worn the number all the way back to his junior hockey career with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. He did wear No. 20 during the 2014-15 season before claiming No. 22 after Eric Gelinas left New Jersey.
Free agent defenseman acquisition Brian Campbell will wear No. 51 once again for his second stint in Chicago, while fellow blue liner Michal Kempny will have No. 6.