The Chicago Blackhawks made a minor transaction on Thursday night, acquiring centers Peter Regin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard from the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
In corresponding roster moves, the Blackhawks added Regin to their active roster, while Bouchard and Brandon Pirri were both sent down to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
Regin appeared in 44 games with the Islanders this season, scoring twice and adding give assists. Bouchard has nine points (four goals, five assists) in 28 games with the Islanders, but has also spent 20 games with the Isles’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In those games, he has six goals and 11 assists.
In all likelihood, the 27-year old Regin will serve as a 13th forward for the Blackhawks moving forward, alternating in and out of the lineup with Michal Handzus and occasionally Bryan Bickell. The move also means that Sheldon Brookbank and Mike Kostka won’t have to fill in at the forward spot anymore if injuries or poor play forces head coach Joel Quenneville to change up his lineup.
Regin should be on the ice for the Blackhawks on Friday night when they take on the Phoenix Coyotes in their final game before the Olympic break. Patrick Kane will not play in the game, as he is in Buffalo to attend the funeral of his grandfather, who passed away earlier this week.
