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Blackhawks Reassign Joey Anderson

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Oct. 19: Anderson has cleared waivers and will be sent to Rockford, according to Friedman.

Oct. 18: It’s a relatively quiet day on waivers today with just one player hitting the wire.  Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that the Blackhawks have placed winger Joey Anderson on waivers.

The 27-year-old played in just one preseason game this fall before deciding to undergo surgery to repair which was termed as a nagging issue.  As a result, he wasn’t available to start the season and was designated as injured/non-roster status.  The winger returned to practice today, relays Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link), meaning that he has been deemed healthy enough to go on waivers.

Anderson played in 18 games with Chicago last season after making the team out of training camp.  However, he was limited to just one assist in those outings despite logging over 12 minutes per game.  The Blackhawks waived him in early December but kept him up for a bit after he passed through unclaimed before sending him down to AHL Rockford in early January where he stayed the rest of the way.  Anderson was productive with the IceHogs, notching 17 goals and 10 assists in just 33 outings at that level.

Anderson has 169 career NHL appearances under his belt over parts of seven seasons between New Jersey, Toronto, and Chicago and is on an affordable contract, one that pays $800K this season in a one-way salary.  He’ll become an unrestricted free agent next summer.  However, given his recent struggles at the top level, there’s a good chance that he’ll pass through unclaimed when the waiver period expires at 1 PM CT on Sunday.

Injury Notes: Dickinson, Mikkola, Harkins

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Chicago Blackhawks centerman Jason Dickinson is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision on Sunday, head coach Jeff Blashill told Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio. Dickinson headed to the locker room partway through Friday’s game against Vancouver after receiving a heavy, awkward hit from Canucks winger Conor Garland. He returned, left again, then returned again throughout the remaining game – though it seems the injury is sticking around a day later.

Dickinson has been a core piece of one of Chicago’s best lines this season, centering fellow NHL veterans Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev. The trio have outscored their opponents four-to-one in six games together, more than any other Hawks line. Dickinson sitting out of Sunday’s match against the Anaheim Ducks would force Chicago to break up their starting forward line against stingy competition. The Ducks sit with a 2-2-0 record and negative goal-differential (-3) but they’re led by legendary Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and roster a long list of promising youngsters who can takeover games. Chicago has been thriving as of late – with a 2-1-1 record in their last four – but this injury news could bring that down.

Other injury news from across the NHL:

  • Speaking of Anaheim, bruising forward Jansen Harkins returned to the team’s practice in a no-contact jersey on Saturday, captured by Patrick Present of The Hockey News. Harkins is recovering from an upper-body injury sustained in a preseason match against the Los Angeles Kings on September 21. He was originally expected to miss about eight weeks, placing his return date still three weeks away. But already returning to practice could be enough to shorten that timeframe for Harkins. Then again, the Ducks may want to monitor their bottom-line bruiser a bit closer, after he ranked third on the team with 136 hits in 62 games last season.
  • Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola left Saturday’s match against the Buffalo Sabres with an upper-body injury. He sustained the injury after getting tangled up with Sabres winger Tyson Kozak and falling awkwardly into the boards. Mikkola only appeared in seven minutes of ice time prior to the injury. He remains without any scoring through seven games this season, though the physical impact Mikkola brings to each game will still be sorely missed should he have to sit out any more. He was a nightly feature in both of Florida’s Stanley Cup wins, and continues to play upwards of 24 minutes a night this season. That role will be tough to replace. Recent waiver claim Donovan Sebrango would be the next in line for ice time. He recorded 20 points and 79 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Belleville Senators last season, and has no scoring in four career appearances in the NHL.

Blackhawks Activate Landon Slaggert From IR

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The Chicago Blackhawks have activated forward Landon Slaggert off of injured reserve. Slaggert missed the first five games of Chicago’s season with a lower-body injury. He took warmups before the team’s Friday night matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, but won’t play, as he continues to ease back into the lineup.

Slaggert operated on Chicago’s third-line throughout the team’s training camp. He seems well set on solidifying that standing once he’s back to full health, after clinging onto a lineup spot through the second-half of last season. Slaggert recorded just six points and a minus-seven in 33 NHL games last season – far below the 25 points and plus-nine he posted in 39 AHL games. But despite that, his hard-drive and grinder style stood tall on a fairly undersized Blackhawks team.

Slaggert racked up 92 points in 136 NCAA games between 2020 and 2024, then turned pro with the Blackhawks at the end of the 2023-24 season. He’s since appeared in 49 NHL games and scored 10 points, while filling a bottom-six role at left-wing. Should his training camp role stick, Slaggert will soon return to a line with Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev. That move would free up Ryan Donato to move back into the team’s top-six. Donato has just two points in five games this season, after posting 31 goals and 62 points in 80 games last year. Promoting him back into the top-six, and backing him with a dirty-nosed winger like Slaggert, could be the first step to getting Donato back to that lofty scoring.

Blackhawks Reportedly Headed Towards Kyle Davidson Extension

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The Chicago Blackhawks have an important off-season looming in 2026. The summer will be headlined by negotiations with franchise star Connor Bedard, and underscored by tough decisions with veteran free agents Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, and Jason Dickinson. With so many negotiations on the horizon, Chicago appears to be moving towards an extension with general manager Kyle Davidson, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast.

Davidson has pulled the Blackhawks together enough to take a confident step forward in the last year. They sold off veteran defender Seth Jones to acquire high-potential goaltender Spencer Knight at last year’s Trade Deadline, then awarded lofty extensions to 2024-25 leading goal-scorer Ryan Donato, top prospect Frank Nazar, and Knight.

The moves have afforded Chicago a real platform to work from. Nazar has tied Bedard for the team-lead in scoring, with both players boasting two goals and six points through the team’s first five games. Knight has also matched the bell, with an impressive .920 save percentage through his first three games. The improvements they bring to the lineup, and continued growth from Bedard, has led Chicago to a 2-2-1 record to start the year — the club’s best record through their first five games since 2022-23.

Even better, Chicago has secured Nazar and Knight through 2029 for a combined $12.43MM cap hit each season. That’s a true steal for a top scorer and starting goaltender, especially with the salary cap expected to grow by $18MM before 2028. That price, complemented by a cheap deal for Alex Vlasic ($4.6MM annual cap hit), could provide Chicago with the rare chance to spend lavishly while they pull out of a rebuild. It also provides the chance to pay Bedard the king’s ransom he’ll surely be owed, after posting the fifth-most points from a teenager since 2000 and seeming set for another big year this season.

But news of an extension for Davidson won’t thrill all. He’s overseen a 107-187-34 record since stepping up as Chicago’s GM in 2021. Davidson has overseen 10 first-round picks for the Blackhawks, though only four of those players are on the NHL roster early into the season. How Chicago will grow when star prospects like Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil Jr., and Sacha Boisvert break into the pros will be what defines the next era of Blackhawks hockey. But, the uncertainty around each of them will likely limit Davidson’s potential extension to only a few years – providing Chicago a chance to change course if their heap of top prospects don’t pan out.

Then again, those odds seem slim. Frondell leads all U21 players in the SHL in scoring, with seven goals and nine points in 11 games. He’s long been an international star of his age group, who seems well-set for success in the NHL. Chicago has also received plenty of positives from young defenders Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Wyatt Kaiser – who seem to be offering the star offense, reliable two-way-play, and stout defense needed to structure the blue-line. Success from other prospects like Oliver Moore, Kevin Korchinski, Mason West, and Marek Vanacker would only serve as icing on the cake of what appears to be a growing push from Chicago’s young core.

The Blackhawks expressed confidence in Davidson earlier this month. Team owner Danny Wirtz told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times that, “Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on.” That statement seems to suggest that the Blackhawks’ brass are okay bearing through a couple more difficult seasons, with eyes on a big boom a few years away.  It seems that confidence will lead to Chicago cementing Davidson’s overseer role sooner rather than later.

Short-Term Absences: Raymond, Foligno, Samuelsson

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At least for now, the Red Wings are exhaling that the news isn’t worse regarding the health of star winger Lucas Raymond. He won’t play tonight but is only considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the team announced. Raymond left Monday’s win over the Maple Leafs midway through the second period after taking a cross-check into the boards from Toronto defenseman Chris Tanev (video via B/R Open Ice). There was initial fear and speculation that he may have sustained something as serious as a collarbone fracture, but he was back on the ice for morning skate today, according to the team’s Daniella Bruce. He might not even miss a full week, considering there’s been no injured reserve placement. Through two and a half appearances, Raymond had scored twice and added an assist with a +3 rating in what’s otherwise been an iffy start at even strength for Detroit’s top line of him, Dylan Larkin, and rookie Emmitt Finnie.

More short-term absences of note from around the league:

  • The Blackhawks announced that captain Nick Foligno will be taking a “brief” leave of absence and will miss tonight’s game against the Blues. He’s stepping away to be with his family as his daughter undergoes a follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. All of us at PHR send our best wishes to the Foligno family. You can visit their foundation for heart health, The Heart’s Playbook, at this link.
  • Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Senators, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550. His absence shouldn’t last much longer, though. He skated on his own today and could be an option to play this weekend, head coach Lindy Ruff said. Samuelsson remains on the active roster after departing last weekend’s loss to the Bruins early. He’s only missed one game so far.

Davidson Gets Vote Of Confidence From Ownership

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  • It has been nearly four years since the Blackhawks promoted Kyle Davidson to GM with the team posting a 107-187-35 record with him at the helm. Despite their struggles, team owner Danny Wirtz gave Davidson a vote of confidence in an interview with Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, saying that “Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on”.  Chicago has been stockpiling draft picks and prospects for several years now in the hope that a contender can emerge from this group and it appears Davidson will have a long leash from ownership to see if that will happen down the road.

Dickinson Day-To-Day With Upper-Body Injury

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  • Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson will miss tonight’s game against Montreal due to an upper-body injury, relays WGN’s Charlie Roumeliotis (Twitter link). Head coach Jeff Blashill noted that the veteran is listed as day-to-day but could miss a week.  The injury occurred partway through Thursday’s loss to Boston.  Dickinson had a tough year last season, notching just seven goals and nine assists in 59 games after setting new career highs in goals (22) and points (35) the year before.  Now in a contract year, this minor setback isn’t a great way to start it.

Blackhawks Reassign Ethan Del Mastro

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The Blackhawks have assigned defenseman Ethan Del Mastro to AHL Rockford, the team announced this morning. There’s no corresponding transaction yet, but freeing up a roster spot may indicate winger Landon Slaggert could soon be ready to come off injured reserve.

Del Mastro, 22, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the fourth round in 2021 and made his big league debut three years later. The shutdown lefty enjoyed much more offensive success in his first pro season than anyone imagined, recording a 7-30–37 scoring line in 67 games for Rockford in 2023-24 in addition to his two-game, late-season NHL call-up. After his first taste of play with the Blackhawks, which saw him record two hits and a shot attempt while averaging 18:35 per game, he was sent back to Rockford to begin the 2024-25 campaign.

While his offense dried up, Del Mastro’s steady defensive play earned him a longer look in NHL minutes last year. Chicago first recalled him in January, and he spent the vast majority of the balance of the season up with the big club. He finished the season with a 2-4–6 scoring line in 24 appearances with a -3 rating, 21 blocks, and 40 hits while averaging 18:19 per contest. He didn’t see any special teams usage, but his even-strength possession impacts were promising, controlling 47.4% of shot attempts and 44.7% of expected goals – not impressive on their own but strong considering Chicago’s woeful possession control and Del Mastro’s defense-oriented deployment.

That showing led the Blackhawks to include him on their opening night roster earlier this week. He played their first game of the season against the Panthers on Tuesday, but was the odd man out when No. 1 defender Alex Vlasic was ready to return to the lineup last night after missing a game with a lower-body injury. Still with room to develop, Chicago would rather have Del Mastro playing regular minutes in Rockford than have him sit in Chicago’s press box. Del Mastro still has another season left to go until he’ll require waivers to head to the minors.

As for Slaggert, he started the year on IR after sustaining a minor hip injury in the preseason. It looked like opening night was a possibility for him initially, but he hasn’t been able to go yet. He’s eligible for activation before tomorrow’s game against the Canadiens.

Injury Notes: Girgensons, Vlasic, Strome

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Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper was asked by Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times if Zemgus Girgensons could be considered week-to-week, and Cooper confirmed Encina’s suspicions, saying it is “probably a semi-safe assessment of where he’s at right now”. 

The 31-year-old Latvian forward was injured in Saturday’s preseason tilt vs Florida, a game which caught the league’s attention with over 300 penalty minutes combined between the rivals. The Lightning actually faced fines and a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the festivities that occurred throughout the game. 

Girgensons will miss his first regular season game as a Bolt, having appeared in all 82 games last season, netting 6 points in a largely shutdown role. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Chicago Head Coach Jeff Blashill says Alex Vlasic is all set to play tomorrow, as confirmed by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. Vlasic was absent in the 2025-26 NHL season opener due to a lower-body injury, as the Blackhawks fell to Florida. Having broken out last season with 30 points, the Blackhawks will be glad to welcome the young Illinois native back to the lineup.
  • The Anaheim Ducks announced today that dependable center Ryan Strome will miss the team’s upcoming road trip due to an upper-body injury, which was previously under wraps. The 32-year-old veteran has only missed three regular season games in his first three seasons with the Ducks, twice being an all-82-game player. Strome has flashed remarkable consistency, netting 41 points exactly in each campaign. Based on the Ducks’ statement, he is set to miss games in Seattle and San Jose, but perhaps could return for the home opener against Pittsburgh next Tuesday.

Blackhawks Recall Ryan Greene, Place Two On IR

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The Chicago Blackhawks appear to have their opening night roster in place ahead of tonight’s action against the Florida Panthers. Earlier today, the Blackhawks announced that they’ve recalled Ryan Greene from their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. In a separate transaction, the team has placed forwards Landon Slaggert and Joey Anderson on the injured reserve.

Greene, 21, is coming off an impressive three-year run with the NCAA’s Boston University Terriers. Drafted by the Blackhawks with the 57th overall selection of the 2022 NHL Draft, he’s become one of the several up-and-coming forward prospects that the organization boasts.

During his time with the Terriers, Greene scored 34 goals and recorded 105 points in 118 games, achieving a +24 rating. He earned the program’s captaincy in his final season. After losing the National Championship to the Western Michigan University Broncos last season, Greene signed his entry-level deal with the Blackhawks and made his NHL debut one day later.

Unfortunately, Greene’s inclusion on Chicago’s opening night roster comes with less positive news. Slaggert, 23, who’s another forward prospect coming from the NCAA ranks, will begin the year on the injured reserve due to a lower-body injury.

In late September, there was an expectation that Slaggert might start the year on time with the Blackhawks. However, as he became more involved in the team’s practices and scrimmages, he may have re-aggravated something. He scored 10 goals and 25 points in 39 games for the IceHogs last year, with another two goals and six points in 33 appearances with Chicago.

Meanwhile, Anderson will join Slaggert on the Blackhawks’ IR. Although Anderson lacks significant prospect value and mainly serves as a depth player, he has spent the last four years with Chicago after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season.

Signed to a modest $800K salary for this season before being eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, Anderson wasn’t a lock to make the Blackhawks’ opening night roster regardless of his lower-body injury. This is likely why Chicago has designated him as an injured non-roster player to start the campaign. He spent much of last season with Rockford, tallying 17 goals and 27 points in 33 games.

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