The Blackhawks also returned defenceman Stephen Johns to their American Hockey League affiliate one day after he was promoted from the minor league team.
The 22-year-old Nordstrom played in Sunday's 6-2 victory over Dallas in his first NHL game of the season. He then was reassigned to Rockford on Monday.
Clendening was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2011 draft. He could make his NHL debut on the Blackhawks' upcoming six-game road trip.
Clendening, 22, had a goal and three assists in 16 games with Rockford this season.
Chicago announced the moves on Tuesday.
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