With Notre Dame’s loss to Michigan Saturday night in the Big Ten quarterfinal, it was only a matter of time before forward prospect Landon Slaggert was donning a Chicago Blackhawks jersey.
And that time was less than a day later as the Blackhawks announced Sunday evening that the Fighting Irish captain officially signed a two-year entry-level contract that carries an annual salary cap hit of $912,500. Since Slaggert is burning the first year of his ELC signing now, the contract expires next summer in 2025.
Slaggert, 21, was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the third-round (No. 79 overall pick) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Prior to his draft, he spent three years playing for the Chicago Mission youth teams before graduating to the US National Team Development Program. It was with the latter that Slaggert started to make a name for himself as he appeared in 98 games for the USNDP from 2018 to 2020, notching 48 points (23 G, 25 A) in that span.
After his draft, the South Bend, Indiana native rose up the Blackhawks prospect board somewhat after a very solid season a freshman at Notre Dame where he was just shy of a point-per-game pace with 22 points (8 G, 14 A) in 25 games. He then had two back-to-back offensively down seasons with just 26 points (12 G, 14 A) in 40 games as sophomore and 13 (7 G, 6 A) in 35 as a junior, but he also took strides defensively in that span as well. The hard work paid off in Slaggert’s senior year as his two-way play really shined, and he led Notre Dame goals (20) and points (31) in 36 games and hitting career highs.
Slaggert also was a member of two Team USA IIHF World Junior Championship teams in 2021 and 2022, and even won gold with the team in 2021.
As a two-way forward with a bit of a scoring touch, Slaggert could provide depth at the center position for the Blackhawks, likely as a third-line player. For more analysis on Slaggert as a player this past season, check out SCH’s NCAA Prospect Updates.
According The Athletic‘s Scott Powers, Slaggert is expected to report to Chicago in the coming days and be on ice for morning skate ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Whether he’ll play in that game is unknown.
[UPDATE] Coach Luke Richardson said after the Sunday night Arizona Coyotes game that they are targeting next weekend for Slaggert’s debut with the Blackhawks. They play the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and San Jose Sharks on Sunday, both at the United Center.