Darling's route back to the NHL halted after latest development

Scott Darling's trek back to the NHL took a bit of a hit this week. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Rockford Icehogs have released Darling from his PTO, making him an unrestricted free agent.

After spending the 2019-20 season in Austria with HC Innsbruck, Darling signed a PTO with the Florida Panthers in early January. The Panthers ultimately released Darling, which set up a unique opportunity to return to the Blackhawks organization, where he was given his first NHL gig after spending many years in the SPHL, ECHL, and AHL.

Darling appeared in one game for Rockford this season, recording one loss, a 5.00 G.A.A., and an .815 save percentage.

The 32-year-old has played in parts of five NHL seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, and Carolina Hurricanes. In 126 regular season games, Darling has a record of 54 wins, 42 losses, 18 overtime/shootout losses, a 2.72 G.A.A., a .908 save percentage, and 4 shutouts. In 5 career playoff games, he has 3 wins, 1 loss, a 2.22 G.A.A., and a .936 save percentage. Darling won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015.

It's unclear what the future may hold for Scott Darling, but a return to the NHL seems far away at this point.

Blackhawks 2020 fourth-round draft pick Michael Krutil has signed an AHL contract and will remain with the Rockford IceHogs this season.

The IceHogs also released goalie Scott Darling from his PTO today. Darling appeared in one game for the IceHogs this season.— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 17, 2021

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