Unrestricted free agent defenseman David Rundblad is reportedly close to signing a one year contract with Zurich of the Swiss NLA, reports NZZ’s Nicola Berger (link in German). Rundblad is no stranger to the team as he spent time with them last season on loan from the Blackhawks, picking up two goals and 13 assists in 11 regular season games while adding an assist in four postseason contests.
Rundblad also spent a bit of time with Chicago in 2015-16, collecting a pair of assists in nine games during the regular season. He also got into three playoff games after returning from Switzerland but only saw 9:20 of action per contest.
He originally was supposed to be under contract to the Blackhawks for 2016-17 but the two sides mutually agreed to terminate the final season of his two year, $2.1MM deal. Had they kept him and waived him off the roster as they did for the majority of last season, the Hawks still would have had a $100K cap hit on their books.
Originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) by St. Louis in 2009, Rundblad has struggled to make it as a regular at the NHL level. He has played parts of five seasons with Ottawa, Phoenix, and Chicago, suiting up in 113 games while tallying four goals and 21 assists. Although Rundblad hasn’t panned out relative to his draft status, St. Louis was able to get great value for that selection as just one year after picking him, he was dealt to the Senators in exchange for the first round pick that was used to draft Vladimir Tarasenko.