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Ex-Blackhawks defenseman eyes NHL return after lengthy knee surgery rehab


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Sam Walker
December 3, 2025  (10:16)
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Jarred Tinordi is back on the market and hoping for one more run in the NHL now that he has been cleared from summer knee surgery.

The veteran defenseman spent 2024-25 with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers before the injury, and his NHL appearance came with the Chicago Blackhawks two seasons ago.
The 33-year-old former first-rounder (22nd overall, 2010 NHL Draft by Montreal Canadiens) once drew comparisons for his size and potential as a stay-at-home top-four defenseman.
At 6'6", Tinordi carried the build and pedigree-son of long-time NHLer Mark Tinordi-that could intimidate at the blue line.
He never quite turned that upside potential into long-term NHL success. After bouncing around with several organizations-including stops with the Arizona Coyotes, the Nashville Predators, the Boston Bruins, and the New York Rangers-he found a home of sorts in Chicago.
Over two seasons there, he played 96 games, recording two goals and 17 points while averaging about 16 minutes a night.
In Calgary, though, after signing a one-year, two-way deal worth $800,000, Tinordi served as an alternate captain for the Wranglers before the injury hit.
His 2024-25 AHL season was modest-one goal, five points in 30 games-but he logged a +5 rating and brought the physical style he's always offered.

Tinordi pushing for another run in NHL

Now that surgery is behind him, his options are murky but not nonexistent. Industry chatter suggests a return on a professional tryout agreement with the Blackhawks organization remains in play.
Tinordi is a rugged veteran who delivers hits, shot blocks, and physical presence-the kind of depth defender teams call up when wartime style matters more than point totals.
Realistically, at nearly 34 and coming off knee surgery, he's unlikely to get a long leash. But given his track record of bouncing between the AHL and NHL, if a team needs size and physicality, Tinordi could be an inexpensive fallback.
It would be fitting to see him latch onto a squad needing a gritty, veteran backend presence. We'll keep an eye as camps begin and PTOs roll out.
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Ex-Blackhawks defenseman eyes NHL return after lengthy knee surgery rehab

Think Jarred Tinordi still has a shot at the NHL?

Yes - one more season3233 %
Only AHL role4647.4 %
No release at all1919.6 %
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