As the NHL season winds down, the Chicago Blackhawks’ playoff hopes continue to become slimmer and slimmer with every passing game. With that in mind, it’s time to play as many young players as possible for the final few games to give them some NHL experience to head into the offseason with. The Blackhawks made roster moves on Sunday to reflect that mindset by recalling MacKenzie Entwistle and Alec Regula to the NHL Taxi Squad and assigning Matt Tomkins to the Rockford IceHogs.
ROSTER MOVES: Forward MacKenzie Entwistle and defenseman Alec Regula were re-assigned to the taxi squad and goaltender Matt Tomkins was re-assigned to Rockford.#Blackhawks https://t.co/fZunHabN8N
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 2, 2021
Entwistle made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on March 23rd against the Florida Panthers. He has four goals and eight assists in 22 AHL games with the IceHogs this season. Regula has a goal and three assists in 16 AHL games with the IceHogs this season.
With five games remaining, now would be the best time for the Blackhawks to give these young players more ice time and opportunity to showcase what they can do at The NHL level and what they can do against top competition. Chicago has three road games coming up against the Carolina Hurricanes and finish the season with two home games against the Dallas Stars.