The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Jan Rutta to a one-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday. The contract is worth $2.25 million, according to multiple reports.
Rutta, 27, leads Chicago defensemen in goals (6) through 43 games in his first NHL season. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder’s 19 points are second among Chicago blueliners. The Czech blue liner will also return to action from an upper-body injury for the first time since Feb. 24, when Chicago hosts Carolina on Thursday.
The deal comes two days after the Hawks gave defenseman Erik Gustafsson a two-year contract extension worth $1.2 million, meaning the Hawks have committed $3.45 million between the pair.
Gustafsson, 25, has one goal and four assists in 19 games this season. The 6-foot, 176-pound Swedish blue liner had 14 assists in 41 games last season and has 19 points (one goal, 18 assists) in 60 career games.
The Hawks have eight defenseman under contract for the 2018-19 season.
Brent Seabrook: $6.875M
Duncan Keith: $5.538M
Connor Murphy: $3.85M
Jan Rutta: $2.25M
Erik Gustafsson: $1.2M
Gustav Forsling: $872K
Carl Dahlstrom: $751K
Jordan Oesterle: $650K