The NHL All-Star break starts early for the Chicago Blackhawks, who don't play again until Feb. 7. Defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Cole Guttman won't be vacationing, however, as the Blackhawks assigned both players to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Sunday.
Crevier made his NHL debut in December and has played 15 games with the Blackhawks. He has three assists at the NHL level and five helpers in 18 games with the IceHogs this season. A return to Rockford should help the towering blueliner get back into the swing of things after he was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' last two games before the break.
Guttman is in a similar situation as he last played on Jan. 19 against the New York Islanders. The 24-year-old has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 27 games with the Blackhawks and nine points (three goals, six assists) in 12 AHL games this season.
The IceHogs have three games during the Blackhawks' layoff, starting with a clash against the Manitoba Moose on Tuesday. Expect Crevier and Guttman to draw into the lineup as they shake off the rust after recently watching the NHL club from the press box.
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