Blackhawks Sign Dominic Toninato to Bolster AHL Depth

Toninato was signed by the Winnipeg Jets in 2020 and has spent the majority of his time playing in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. The most NHL games he has played in a season was 77 in 2021-22, and scored seven goals and seven assists. Toninato played five games last year and scored zero points. He also spent two seasons in the Colorado Avalanche system (2017-19) and one season in the Florida Panthers system (2019-20). Toninato was drafted in 2012 in the fifth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The signing may come as a surprise to some who were expecting a bigger free agent day for the Blackhawks. However, as had been discussed at length in the past, this was a pretty dry free-agent class to begin with. Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, Brock Boesser opted to stay with the Vancouver Canucks, and it's been reported that Nikolaj Ehlers will not make a decision for some time. 

Toninato isn't joining the Blackhawks roster to claim a spot. He'll play with the Rockford IceHogs as the Blackhawks call up younger players. Kyle Davidson can't leave Rockford barren without any talent if most of the young players end up in Chicago.