Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks' Roster Tracker: Hinostroza Sent Down

The Chicago Blackhawks are making their final roster cuts before the 2017-18 season gets underway, and some interesting decisions are being made. 

The first salvo came down Monday, as Vincent Hinostroza was sent down to Rockford. The move signals that Alex DeBrincat and John Hayden may have made the roster, but the final decision hasn't come down yet. 

Here is our up-to-date tracker, and our roster picks for your perusal: 

Forwards (13): Artem Anisimov, Lance Bouma, Alex DeBrincat, Ryan Hartman, John Hayden, Vincent Hinostroza, Marian Hossa, Tomas Jurco, Patrick Kane, Tanner Kero, Richard Panik, Brandon Saad, Nick Schmaltz, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, Jordin Tootoo, Tommy Wingels

Tuesday 5:35 p.m. - In what is widely considered to be a procedural move, the Blackhawks sent down forward Alex DeBrincat on Tuesday, but they are expected to recall him once they officially place Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve. 

The Blackhawks are waiting to execute the paper transaction because it will maximize the cap relief they will get from sending Hossa to LTIR. Gustav Forsling was also sent down to Rockford, but will also likely be recalled once the Hossa move is officially made. 

Tuesday 9:15 a.m. - According to The Athletic's Scott Powers, the Blackhawks will be allowed to place forward Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve as a result of the skin condition that will keep him off the ice this season, and perhaps for the rest of his career. 

Hossa's $5.3 million will now be available to the Blackhawks, likely giving them the room to sign defenseman Cody Franson to a contract. The team will also bank some of that space once the season begins, allowing them flexibility to make additions if needed once the campaign is underway. 

Monday 1:02 p.m. - According to multiple reports, including The Athletic Chicago's Scott Powers, the Blackhawks have placed forwards Jordin Tootoo and Tomas Jurco on waivers, with the intent of sending both down to Rockford if they clear. 

The Blackhawks traded a third round pick for Jurco last season, acquiring him in a deal with the Detroit Red Wings. In 13 games, the winger had one goal, and didn't appear in any postseason games for Chicago. 

Tootoo signed as a free agent with the Blackhawks last season, and he scored two goals and added an assist in 50 regular season games. He also appeared in two playoff games, failing to reach the scoresheet in those contests. 

Monday 11:01 a.m. – The Blackhawks have assigned Vincent Hinostroza to the Rockford IceHogs.

Hinostroza was one of the fringe candidates for the roster, as the youngster brings plenty of speed and skating ability to the mix. He spent most of the 2016-17 season with the team, scoring six goals and eight assists, but with Alex DeBrincat and John Hayden both making bids to join the roster, Hinostroza was likely squeezed out.

He will obviously be a prime candidate to be called up later this season, and the team still has high hopes for him.

Defensemen (8): Gustav Forsling, Cody Franson, Duncan Keith, Michal Kempny, Connor Murphy, Jordan Oesterle, Michal Rozsival, Jan Rutta, Brent Seabrook

Monday 4:07 p.m. - Earlier this afternoon, the Blackhawks placed defenseman Michal Rozsival on long-term injured reserve. No injury was specified in the press release, but the move does mean that the Blackhawks can exceed the salary cap by $650,000, the amount of money owed to the defenseman. 

Goaltenders (2): Jean Francois Berube, Corey Crawford, Anton Forsberg 

Monday 1:07 p.m. - According to reports, the Blackhawks have placed Berube on waivers, meaning that Anton Forsberg has won the battle to become the team's back-up goaltender this season. 

Berube, who signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks over the offseason, couldn't beat out Forsberg for the back-up job vacated by the departure of Scott Darling. The veteran netminder is set to make $700,000 in each of the next two seasons. 

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