The Chicago Blackhawks opened up free agency with a hectic first day. Plenty of goodbyes were written to the pending UFA's and RFA's, now free agents. Furthermore, new Free Agents are now able to call themselves Chicago Blackhawks. This October, they will put on the iconic Original Six sweater, one of the best in all of sports.
To Recap yesterdays hectic final day of offers to RFA's and UFA's, the Blackhawks were very stingy about who will remain in Chicago longer than this season, and who will be waived goodbye. The RFA's were Joey Anderson, Filip Roos, Michal Teply, MacKenzie Entwistle, Reese Johnson, Isaak Phillips, Louis Crevier, and Jaxson Stauber. The only two players that were given qualifying offers were Isaak Phillips, and Louis Crevier. Shockingly Stauber was let go. However the Blackhawks were able to get a deal done with Joey Anderson. Two year, for $800K.
Former Blackhawk and 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Tuevo Terravainen was between signing with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks this morning. However just hours later, we got word that the 29-year-old Winger nicknamed "Turbo" will be reunited with the team that he started his pro career with. His contract is 3 years, $5.4M AAV. Presumably Terravainen will supplement rookie Connor Bedard on the first line. He had 25 G, 28 A, for 53 PTS in 76 GP with Carolina.
It was rumored years ago that the six foot winger Tyler Bertuzzi was in the mix for becoming a Blackhawk. Those rumors were put to rest however today word came out he would have to get his bags packed from Toronto, to find his way for Chicago. He is signed through the 2027-2028 season with the Blackhawks. 4 years, $5.5M AAV. Bertuzzi put up 21 G, 22 A, a total of 43 PTS in 80 GP last season with Toronto.
Furthermore NHL Verteran Pat Maroon, who is fresh off his 13th season in the NHL, became a Blackhawk today. The 36-year-old enforcer, "Big Rig" will be an addition to the veteran presence of Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall for Bedard. 1 year, $1.3M AAV. Maroon posted 4 G, 12 A, 16 PTS in 51 GP the majority with Minnesota excluding two games in which he played for Boston.
Alec Martinez who fans most notably can remember for the 2014 Overtime Game-Winner against the Blackhawks to bring the opposing LA Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in Game 7, will be on our side to mentor Chicago's youth defensive core. The 36-year-old signed a 1 Year deal, worth $4M. He had 4 G, 13 A, totaling 17 PTS in 55 GP for Vegas.
The Hawks agreed to a 1 year deal, for $1M with forward Craig Smith. Drafted by Nashville 98th overall in the 2009 draft, Smith will bring another veteran presence to the young, up and coming Blackhawks team. He is 34-years-old, likely a player we will see on the fourth line.
Lastly goaltender Laurent Brossoit will clear all confusion with the goaltending situation as the Hawks decided to walk away from Jaxson Stauber yesterday. He will back up Petr Mrazek, who will be coming into his third year as Chicago's starter. Brossoit signed a 2 year deal, worth $3.3M AAV. Coming off an amazing season with Winnipeg, he posted a .927 SV%, 2.00 GAA in 23 GP with his former club.
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