The Chicago Blackhawks picked up depth forward Richard Panik from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2015-16 season, sending Jeremy Morin to Toronto for the former Tampa Bay Lightning second round pick.
Now, he’s being brought back for another year.
The Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that the club had inked Panik to a one year extension, which will carry him through the end of the 2016-17 season. Per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the deal is one way in nature and will pay $975,000 at the NHL level.
Drafted 52nd overall by the Lighting in 2009, Panik was first moved out of Tampa Bay’s system when the Leafs claimed him off waivers at the start of the 2014-15 season. Although he’s largely a depth forward, he does offer some offensive upside; over a 181 game NHL career, he’s put up 25 goals and 47 points. Given that six of those goals were with Chicago alone last year – recorded over just 30 games with the Central Division club – it’s not altogether surprising to see the team ensuring he’ll be back next year.
With Panik locked up and veteran Bryan Bickell (and his massive contract) taken care of, the Blackhawks have clearly started to get their offseason work taken care of. While both of these moves help the team, though, the real question will come with some of their other necessary signings – and the biggest ones will be Andrew Shaw and Andrew Ladd, both of whom need new deals.
The post Blackhawks ink Richard Panik to one year extension appeared first on Todays SlapShot.