Blackhawks recall Gustafsson, assign Franson

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have recalled defenseman Erik Gustafsson from the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs and assigned defenseman Cody Franson to Rockford.
Gustafsson has 17 points (3G, 14A) in 25 games this year and was selected to represent the IceHogs at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic. He has assists in six of his last seven games, including four straight. The 25-year-old was named Rockford's Defenseman of the Year after the 2016-17 season, pacing club blueliners in assists (25), shots (185) and sharing the lead in points (30). His 30 points were a career high.

A native of Nynashamn, Sweden, Gustafsson made his National Hockey League debut during the 2015-16 season, tallying 14 assists in 41 regular-season games with Chicago. He also added an assist in five playoff contests. Gustafsson has registered 58 points (11G, 47A) in 120 career AHL games, spanning three seasons (2015-2018).
Franson has recorded seven points (1G, 6A) in 23 games with the Blackhawks this season after being signed by the team on Oct. 4, 2017. He has 212 points (43G, 169A) in 550 career NHL games.
The Blackhawks play the Ottawa Senators tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre at 6:30 p.m. (CT). That game can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago, streamed live online at NBCSportsChicago.com (NBCSportsChicago.com/BlackhawksStream) and the NBC Sports app, and heard on WGN Radio.