The Blackhawks announced two roster moves Saturday morning, prior to their game tomorrow with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After putting Andreas Martinsen on waivers Friday, the team announced that Martinsen was assigned to Rockford. Also heading to Rockford is wing Dylan Sikura.
With Drake Caggiula joining the team following visa problems, the Blackhawks had to make corresponding moves to allow Caggiula and Brandon Davidson to be added to the roster. Davidson was activated from injured reserve and put on waivers to be sent to Rockford, but Martinsen and Sikura were sent down instead. The Blackhawks have 10 games (or 30 days) to send Davidson down before he has to go through waivers again.
In 24 games, the 28-year-old Norwegian Martinsen has four points (1G, 3A) and is averaging 7:56 of ice time a game in a limited role. He was a prominent figure in the Rockford team that had a deep playoff run last spring.
Sikura, on the other hand, was playing a more important role with Alex DeBrincat and David Kampf, presumably where Caggiula will slot in. Sikura played 11 games with the Blackhawks and registered a mere three assists while averaging 10:30 of ice time. In his 16 total NHL games, he has yet to score his first NHL goal, and is averaging only 1.5 shots per game.
Drake Caggiula should slot into the Blackhawks lineup right where Sikura was, on the third line. The potential lineup for Sunday’s game could look as follows:
Artem Anisimov–Dylan Strome–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–David Kampf–Drake Caggiula
Chris Kunitz–Marcus Kruger–Brendan Perlini
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Carl Dahlstrom–Connor Murphy