The Blackhawks re-signed defenseman Slater Koekkoek, who was set to become a restricted free agent this summer, to a one-year contract worth $925,000 on Monday.
Koekkoek scored one goal and five points and blocked 36 shots in 22 games last season after being acquired from the Lightning along with a 2019 fifth-round pick in January in exchange for defenseman Jan Rutta and a 2019 seventh-round pick.
The 25-year-old Koekkoek was the only Chicago defenseman on the ice for more shot attempts, shots on net, goals, scoring chances and high-danger chances than against, according to Natural Stat Trick. He had the best high-danger chances allowed rate among Blackhawks defenseman, second best Corsi-For rate at 52-percent and joined Henri Jokiharju as the only defenseman that was one the ice for more scoring chances for than against.
Koekkoek is the first offseason signing for the Blackhawks, who missed the playoffs for a second straight year. He’ll be a sixth or seventh defenseman on a cheap deal that the team could decide to trade later on or eventually waive him to send him to the AHL.
The Blackhawks now have three NHL roster players and seven non-roster players that are RFAs. They also have three NHL roster and six non-roster players that are unrestricted free agents.
RFAs
Roster: Forwards David Kampf and Brendan Perlini and defenseman Gustav Forsling
Non-roster: Forwards Victor Ejdsell, Anthony Louis, Luke Johnson, Dylan Sikura and Spencer Watson, defenseman Blake Hillman and goaltender Anton Forsberg
UFAs
Roster: Forwards Marcus Kruger and Chris Kunitz and goalie Cam Ward
Non-roster: Forwards Peter Holland, Jordan Schroeder, Andreas Martinsen and Tyler Sikura and defensemen Andrew Campbell and Brandon Davidson
Do you think the Blackhawks made the right move re-signing Slater Koekkoek?
| Yes | 299 |
| No | 42 |