The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled goaltender Lars Johansson from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and have sent forward Nick Schmaltz to Rockford in a corresponding move.
The Blackhawks needed a goalie after Corey Crawford underwent an appendectomy on Saturday.
Schmaltz was the casualty, as the Blackhawks were right up against the 23-man roster limit and salary cap.
The 20-year-old was picked 20th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Chicago following a successful sophomore season at the University of North Dakota where he scored 46 points (11 goals, 35 assists) in 37 games and won a national championship.
He has one goal and three assists in 24 games this season.
Johansson joined the Blackhawks on a one-year deal as an undrafted free agent this past May.
The 29-year-old has spent the past three seasons with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League and has a 2.63 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 16 games with Rockford.
Scott Darling is likely to receive most of the starts in Chicago until Crawford is ready to return in approximately two to three weeks.