The Chicago Blackhawks made four roster moves involving defensemen on Saturday. Ahead of a matinee matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks activated Jarred Tinordi from injured reserve, recalled Louis Crevier from the Rockford IceHogs, and assigned Wyatt Kaiser and Isaak Phillips to the AHL club.
Tinordi has been on IR since Nov. 9, when he suffered an oblique injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The rugged veteran has just one assist in nine games this season, but he brings a physical presence to the Blackhawks' back end.
Crevier gets his first call to the NHL in his second professional season. The towering 6-foot-8 blueliner has five assists through 16 games with the IceHogs this season. He won't suit up for the Blackhawks on Saturday after playing Friday with the IceHogs. Tinordi and Nikita Zaitsev will comprise the Blackhawks' third pair against the Jets.
Phillips and Kaiser have struggled lately. Since being recalled in the wake of Tinordi's injury, Phillips is a -5 and has three assists in nine NHL games. Kaiser has spent the entire season to date with the Blackhawks, posting a +1 rating and four assists in 21 games.
The Blackhawks visit the Jets for a Central Division showdown on Saturday. Puck drop is at 2 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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