The Chicago Blackhawks signed forwards John Hayden and Vinnie Hinostroza to two-year contract extensions through the the 2019-2020 season, the team announced early Friday morning. Scott Powers of The Athletic originally reported the Hinostroza deal.
Hinostroza’s deal carries a $1.5 million annual salary cap hit, while Hayden’s is half that at $750,000.
Both players were set to become restricted free agents July 1.
Hinostroza, an undersized forward at 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds, scored seven goals and assisted on 18 others in 50 NHL games after starting the season with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL. Chicago drafted Hinostroza in the sixth round in the 2012 NHL draft.
Hayden, 23, scored four goals and 13 points in 47 games this past season. He also tallied 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 24 regular-season games with Rockford, and added three goals in 13 AHL playoff games.
Chicago drafted Hayden in the third round in the 2013 NHL draft. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound forward signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Hawks after his senior season at Yale in March 2017. In only his second NHL game, Hayden scored first career goal. He has tallied 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 59 career NHL games.
Chicago’s remaining potential free agents include forwards Anthony Duclair and Tomas Jurco and defenseman Adam Clendening.