Predators acquire Ryder Rolston from Blackhawks for future considerations

On Wednesday, the Nashville Predators acquired forward Ryder Rolston from the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations.

Rolston is going to report to the Predators’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

He has yet to make his first NHL appearance. Rolston spent the past season and change with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ primary affiliate. In six games this year, he has scored one goal, which came against the Manitoba Moose on Oct. 26.

The 23-year-old is in his second year in professional hockey. Rolston was originally taken in the fifth round, 139th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL Draft. However, in April 2021, he was dealt to the Hawks, along with Josh Dickinson, for Carl Soderberg.

After three seasons at the University of Notre Dame, Rolston signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Chicago. The deal carries an NHL AAV of $925,000 through the 2025-26 season.

During his rookie campaign with the IceHogs last year, the Boston native scored 10 goals and 19 points in 62 regular-season games. However, he didn’t play in the team’s four Calder Cup Playoff games last spring against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In 68 total AHL games, the son of longtime NHLer Brian Rolston has scored 11 goals and 20 points.

During his time as a member of the Fighting Irish, Rolston scored 18 goals and 35 assists for 53 points in 93 games. Prior to playing collegiately, he spent two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program before playing for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League in 2019-20.

The Predators (7-12-2) are seventh in the Central Division thanks to having the second-worst record in the NHL. They are currently seven points back of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

The Admirals (6-8-1) are second in the AHL’s Central Division, five points back of the Griffins for first place.