Jonathan Toews,
Patrick Kane and
Duncan Keith have officially agreed to terms on new contract extensions with the Chicago Blackhawks, TFP has learned.
An official announcement will be made by the Blackhawks at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Kane and Toews will receive identical five-year contracts worth just over $6 million per year, while Keith will ink a 13-year deal worth just over $5.5 million annually.
In order to fit all three new contracts under the "tagging rule" of the collective bargaining agreement, the Blackhawks are expected to trade or waive at least one of their current roster players.
It has been widely speculated that veteran defenseman
Brent Sopel and his $2.333 million salary will be on the outs, however it's not yet confirmed.
Toews, 21, has notched six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 20 games with the Blackhawks so far this season.
Drafted third-overall by the Blackhawks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Toews has accumulated 64 goals and 75 assists for 139 points, as well as a plus-34 rating and 99 penalty minutes in 166 career NHL games.
Kane, also 21, has recorded nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in as many games this year.
In 188 career NHL games, Kane has registered 55 goals and 113 assists for 168 points, along with 104 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted first-overall by Chicago in 2007.
Keith, 26, has picked up five goals and 18 assists for 23 points with a plus-9 rating in 26 games with the Hawks this season.
The Winnipeg native has tallied 36 goals, 115 assists, 151 points, a plus-61 rating and 285 penalty minutes in 348 career NHL games. He was drafted by the Blackhawks in the second-round (54th overall) in 2002.
[ From the Editor ]
Visit David Pagnotta's TWITTER page for frequent comments and updates. |
