Dale Money | October 3rd, 2019
The Chicago Blackhawks decided to make a sound investment in their team’s future, locking up core forward Alex DeBrincat to a three-season extension at 19.2 million which works out to an average annual salary of $6.4 million.
Drafted in the second round out of Farmington Michigan back in 2016. DeBrincat is now looked at as a real steal of the draft, a slight player at just 5’7” there were many people that didn’t expect him to be an NHL ready prospect. He certainly proved his doubters wrong playing the full 82 game slate in his rookie year and putting up 52 points including 28 goals becoming the first-ever Blackhawks rookie to score three hat tricks.
DeBrincats sophomore season was a true breakout of sorts, exploding for 76 points with 41 goals as well an even plus-minus in 82 games. Those 76 points were good for third-best on the team behind Jonathan Toews, and also places him as the second youngest all-time Blackhawk to crack the 40 goal plateau. Hawks legend Jeremy Roenick still holds the record besting him by just 35 days.
They didn’t need to make this deal pronto with another year still left on his entry-level contract, however, but it was certainly the right move to make looking towards next year as he would have been a restricted free agent and considering how well he’s played. It is better just to eliminate the potential for future headaches. With DeBrincat now paid and happy, the team can now focus their efforts on finally cracking the playoffs after a two-year absence.
The Blackhawks made a number of moves over the course of the summer, mainly was the signing of Vezina finalist Robin Lehner to a one year, five million dollar contract. Lehner had probably his best season in the NHL, winning a career-high 25 games in just 43 games as well as breaking the Islanders single-season record for save percentage.
The Hawks begin their season, interestingly enough, in the Czech Republic, as they’ll face off against the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the NHL Global series. Puck drop is 2pm eastern time.
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