The 2013 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks are looking to lock-up their core and continued to do so by re-signing defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson to a five-year extension worth $4.1 million a year, according to NHL.com. Hjalmarsson's current deal has one year left on it with a salary cap hit of $3.5 million.
Hjalmarsson has won the Stanley Cup twice with the Blackhawks in 2010 and most recently in 2013, and is a key part of the team's defense. Hjalmarsson told NHL.com that he loves it in Chicago, and was glad that the team was able to work out an extension with him, as the 26 year old didn't want to test free agency following next season despite being unrestricted.
The Blackhawks winning the Cup this past June can be seen below:
"I'm really excited with the extension here and I'm really looking forward to next season, and that me and my wife get to stay in Chicago for six more years," Hjalmarsson said to NHL.com during a conference call Wednesday.
Hjalmarsson added: "I love the city. I love the people in Chicago. They're really friendly and playing in the United Center in front of 23,000 people every game, it's really inspiring. On top of that, we have a good team that can compete for the Cup every year. I really wanted to stay in Chicago and I'm really glad I got the opportunity to do that."
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said it was an offseason priority to lock-up Hjalmarsson heading into the 2013-14 campaign, noting the defenseman's penalty killing and shot blocking ability as one of his greatest strengths.
"Part of the plan is determining which of your players are key and critical to the success of your team and then making sure you have them for a long time," Bowman said per NHL.com. "You look at the role that Niklas has played on our team, he's a warrior."
Chicago originally drafted Hjalmarsson No. 108 in the fourth round in the 2005 NHL Draft, and he's been a staple of their blue line since the 2009-10 season. Last year, Hjalmarsson recorded two goals and eight assists for ten points in 46 games during the 48-game lockout-shortened season, and had five assists in 23 playoff games leading to Chicago's second Cup in four years.
In 306 games with Chicago, Hjalmarsson has nine goals and 47 assists for 56 points.
Hjalmarsson's extension ensures that 14 players from the Cup team will remain in Chicago for at-least the next two seasons. Goaltender Corey Crawford was the latest to extend his deal with Chicago, signing on a six-year $36 million extension Monday.
As far as playing for another team? Hjalmarsson wouldn't even dream of it.
"To imagine playing for a different team is tough for me because I feel so much for the city and for the team," Hjalmarsson told NHL.com. "Yeah, maybe I could have gotten more somewhere else, but I make a lot of money so I don't really have to think about that too much. I'm just happy over the situation."
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