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On Sunday, we anticipated the Blackhawks would announce the players assigned to start the season in Rockford and indeed, at 1 o’clock, the Blackhawks confirmed the assignment of forwards Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, Landon Slaggert, Samuel Savoie, and Zach Sanford, defensemen Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, and Louis Crevier, along with goaltender Drew Commesso to the IceHogs.
Additionally, the Blackhawks have released forward Brandon Baddock and defenseman Austin Strand from their PTOs and assigned them to Rockford.
These transactions have reduced the Blackhawks’ active NHL roster to 23 players (14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies).
The Blackhawks are permitted to begin the regular season with 23 players on the active roster. However…
Blackhawks Place Isaak Phillips on Waivers
On Sunday, the Blackhawks also placed defenseman Isaak Phillips on waivers. It is critical to note that if he clears waivers on Monday, the Blackhawks can retain Phillips on the NHL roster. However, he must clear waivers to remain on the roster.
At 23 years old, Phillips is under a one-year, $775k contract. His performance on Friday night against Minnesota was subpar (did anyone excel?), but he bounced back with a solid showing in Milwaukee against St. Louis.
Phillips was drafted by the Blackhawks in the fifth round (No. 141 overall) during the 2020 NHL Draft.
When I considered my projected lineup for the opening night, I did not believe the Blackhawks would risk losing Phillips via waivers — for nothing. So why was he placed on waivers today? This Sunday is typically when the waiver wire is crowded with players ahead of roster compliance. Perhaps the Blackhawks are hoping the influx of players gives them a chance to slip him through unnoticed? The Athletic mentioned Phillips as potentially being at risk of being claimed this past Sunday afternoon.
This means that Nolan Allan has earned a spot on the opening night roster. Congratulations to him; it is well deserved.
Here is the complete list of players on waivers today:
