Observations:

June 2014 – Following the trade deadline day deal that sent him to the Blackhawks, Rundblad cracked the lineup on five occasions, averaging just over eight minutes of ice time in those games. Those of us who were expecting a jump in value with the move to a more offensive minded team were left disappointed. While Rundblad certainly hasn’t lived up to the expectations that came with being a first round pick in ’09, it’s important to remember that he is still just 23-years-old. And despite the difficult start to his Blackhawks career, he will certainly be in the mix to break camp with the big club this fall. Matt Donohue

March 2014 – David Rundblad has been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, along with Mathieu Brisebois, in exchange for a 2nd round selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

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February 2014 – Rundblad has been assigned to Portland of the AHL on a conditioning assignment. This move is to get him playing time after being a healthy scratch so often and now the Olympic break, but also could be showcasing him for a trade with the March 5^th trade deadline approaching. Keith Duggan

January 2014 – In the Coyotes first 53 games, Rundblad has only dressed for 12 games for Phoenix and has been a healthy scratch for all but three games since December 9^th.  The coaching staff seems to have no confidence in the blueliner and has he been surpassed by rookie Connor Murphy on the depth chart.  Rundblad could be trade bait for the Coyotes leading up to this year’s trade deadline. Keith Duggan

October 2013 – After signing a one-way two year contract over the summer and having a strong offensive preseason, leading the Coyotes with seven points, Rundblad has had trouble getting into the lineup consistently. On Saturday, October 26^th, Rundblad was a healthy scratch for the ninth straight game and has only played in three of the Coyotes first twelve games. Rundblad still looks to be a future power play quarterback but doesn’t seem to be much of a fantasy asset this season unless he can get himself a consistent opportunity to play in the lineup. Keith Duggan

June 2013 – The 2012-13 season was a significant one in the development of Rundblad, both offensively and defensively. He was able to consistently show why he had such hype coming over from Sweden. He scored 39 points in 50 AHL games, which translates to 59 points in a standard 76 game AHL season. Defensively, he had his first non-minus season this side of the Atlantic, at any level, with a plus-8. While that may not be especially exciting, the team as a whole was minus-3 for the season, and even in Sweden his plus/minus was never this high  As expected, he got a cup of coffee in the NHL playing eight games due to an injury call-up. While fans think he was fed “crap minutes” and never really given an opportunity, he did start over 70% of his shifts in the offensive zone. Only three had a more extreme percentage – two players with one game played and Marc-Andre Gragnani, forward in disguise. Austin Wallace

January 2013 – Rundblad has earned another recall by Phoenix as they try and fill the void left by the loss of Rusty Klesla. He has produced 23 points in 32 games in the AHL with five in his last five games. Jason Banks

December 2012 – David Rundblad has found himself as the top scoring defenseman for the Portland Pirates.  He has one more point than the illustrious Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but he does carry a minus-2 rating.  This is an improvement from his 30 games for Portland in the 2011/2012 season where he was a minus-18.  He has played 19 games this season so far and has recently been potting goals instead of setting them up.  His struggles to score goals seem to be behind him in his first full season at the AHL level. Tim Graveline

April 2012 – Rundblad is a gifted offensive defenseman with great size, foot speed and stick handling ability. He has notable vision and puck possession skills. The best side of his game comes at running the power-play as a playmaker or using his accurate shot from the point. Rundblad tends to run into trouble in his own zone by trying to be too creative at times. If he develops a more rounded defensive game then he will be a solid, two-way scoring D-man. He made the Senators roster out of camp, although has spent the reminder of season predominately in the AHL (Portland Pirates as he is now with Phoenix’s organization). Rundblad was part of the Kyle Turris trade in December 2011 and ranks high on the Coyotes blue liner depth chart. Russ Bitely

Fantasy Outlook: B

Rundblad has all the offensive skills need for the NHL, though will need to develop his defensive game.

Footage:

David Rundblad shows his size and strength by taking the body for Sens on 11/27/2011.

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