Dec. 30--The Chicago Blackhawks assigned veteran defenseman David Rundblad to Rockford of the AHL on Wednesday.
Rundblad cleared waivers Tuesday and did not travel with the Hawks on their two-game road trip that will continue against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in Denver.
Before the Hawks' 7-5 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night, coach Joel Quenneville was asked if Rundblad had a long-term future with the team.
"Tough to say," Quenneville said.
The 25-year-old Rundblad, who signed a two-year contract with the Hawks this summer that carries a salary-cap hit of $1,050,000, has two assists in nine games this season. Quenneville has repeatedly scratched Rundblad in favor of other players, with the latest being rookie Erik Gustafsson.
By sending Rundblad to Rockford, the Hawks gain $950,000 in cap space.
