Before their six-day break, the Blackhawks sent four players to Rockford — forwards Nick Schmaltz, Vinnie Hinostroza and Tanner Kero and defenseman Gustav Forsling.
As the Hawks get set to resume play on Saturday, only two made the return trip to Chicago, Schmaltz and Kero.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said the decision to keep Forsling and Hinostroza in Rockford was done for both "hockey" and "business" reasons.
The business reason would be to bank salary-cap space in preparation of a potential trade the Hawks may make before the March 1 deadline. Having two fewer players on two-way contracts earning an NHL salary can help save space while Quenneville said he hopes both used the opportunity to grow their games. Quenneville did say he expects both back on the Hawks at some point.
"I can remember shuttling guys up and down (from) Rockford between practices and game days sometimes for the business side of things," Quenneville said. "That probably was part of the decision. ‘Fors’ and Vinnie are down there and no promises but (if) they play well we expect them (back)."
Forsling is in Rockford for the second time this season while it’s Hinostroza’s first trip. Forsling was in and out of the lineup before Michal Rozsival made his return from injured reserve to give the Hawks seven healthy defensemen on the roster.
Hinostroza’s demotion was more of a head scratcher. Hinostroza had been a healthy scratch for two games on the Hawks’ recent trip but had returned to the lineup for the final three games.
"The one thing you like from Vinnie is he gives you great speed," Quenneville said. "You notice him and it’s a good ingredient to have for our team."
More soup? Defenseman Brian Campbell had some encouraging news for those who are fans of "Soup and a Sandwich" the web series Campbell stars in with winger Artemi Panarin — there may be more episodes in the works.
The series aired what appeared to be its last installment this week, but Campbell said he was supposed to have discussions with the Hawks on Friday about making more episodes.
"I don’t know what ‘Breadman’ thinks of it," Campbell said referring to Panarin. "We’ll see. Maybe Breadman won’t want to be on it. So I don’t know what’s going on. We’re supposed to discuss it. That is the plan."
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