The Chicago Blackhawks cleared a roster spot after placing defenseman David Rundblad on buyout waivers on Friday, according to NBC Sports.
Rundblad was under contract for $1.05 million. By placing him on buyout waivers, the Blackhawks saved a large portion of his salary, but will face a $133,333 cap hit this season and next.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said Rundblad, who only played nine games for Chicago last season, wanted to explore opportunities elsewhere.
I think he’s looking to maybe pursue other opportunities, whether in the NHL or Europe, I can’t speak for him,” Bowman said. “He’s still a young guy and he wants to get back to playing a lot of hockey and that’s why he wanted to go to Europe mid-season. We were willing to honor that request. We’ll let him find a spot where he knows he’ll be a regular player every day.”
Rundblad was a first round pick in 2009, but has struggled to stick with an NHL team over his career. He has been traded three times, twice midseason. Over five NHL seasons, he has only four goals. He spent the last two years with Chicago, but was not an everyday player.
In 2015, he only took 13 shots and scored no goals in nine games. He spent part of the season wit the Rockford IceHogs and also played in Switzerland before rejoining the Blackhawks.
Bowman said he believes Runblad can make a return to the NHL if he can find time on the ice with another organization.
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