Late Monday afternoon, the Blackhawks sent youngsters Landon Slaggert and Sam Rinzel to Rockford without making a corresponding move. They didn’t technically have to call anyone up, as they had 12 forwards and six defensemen on the roster, but it was going to be a risky move considering Chicago plays three games in the next four days.
To help put everyone’s minds at ease, the Blackhawks called up a forward from the IceHogs on Tuesday morning. And it wasn’t Nick Lardis, who many thought might be the answer moving forward. Instead, they brought up Dominic Toninato, a 31-year-old who they signed to a two-year, two-way contract this summer.
While Toninato wouldn’t have been the most expected name to be called from Rockford, this move makes a lot of sense. Putting the Rinzel move aside, the problem with Slaggert wasn’t that he was playing poorly—it’s that he wasn’t playing at all. At 23 years old, Slaggert still figures to play a decent role at the NHL level for the Blackhawks someday, but right now, there isn’t space for him in the lineup with other young stars and strong veterans taking the only available spots. He made his home in the press box for the last two weeks before being shipped off to Rockford.
The Blackhawks can afford for Toninato, on the other hand, to keep that seat warm and occasionally get into the lineup as a replacement. Sam Lafferty has filled that role for much of the season, but he’s done enough to be put into the lineup on a nightly basis. Chicago didn’t really have another option, which is why they were forced to have Slaggert collecting dust rather than getting valuable playing time in the AHL.
When Toninato does break into the lineup, the Blackhawks can’t expect a ton from him, but he should be able to hold it down. He has 17 points in 24 games with the IceHogs this season, and has a fair bit of NHL experience, including 77 games with the Jets in the 2021-22 season. He’s been in this situation before.
The situation is complicated a bit by the impending return of Nick Foligno, but that shouldn’t affect Toninato’s role much. The captain will return to his usual spot within the next week or two, at which point Lafferty may find himself watching in a coat and tie next to Toninato. The latter will likely be the first name to go when a player like Lardis is ready for the big show, but it isn’t quite that time yet.
