Richard Panik broke out in a big way for the Blackhawks last season with a career high 22 goals and 22 assists.
It also came at an opportune time for Panik, who was set to become a restricted free agent this offseason. But the Hawks made sure to lock up Panik before any team could extend him an offer sheet. Panik and the Hawks agreed to a two-year extension on Thursday.
The deal is worth an average $2.8 million per season, a source confirmed to the Tribune.
"I was waiting for the first offer to come in and the first offer they gave me was surprising, so there wasn't much thinking about if I was going to sign," Panik said in a conference call with reporters. "I was really happy to get the first offer, the really good one."
Panik's deal creates a few questions for the Hawks. First is if the Hawks plan on protecting Panik in the upcoming expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights.
"There is still a chance but hopefully Chicago will protect me and in discussions my main reason (for signing) was I wanted to stay in Chicago," Panik said. "Hopefully they will protect me and we'll stay here."
It appears Panik won't have to worry about that. A source said the team will likely protect Panik in the expansion draft, which is set for June 21. The means the Hawks are likely to protect seven forwards and three defensemen in the draft along with goaltender Corey Crawford instead of four forwards and four defensemen. The Hawks must protect players with no-movement clauses in their deals, which four forwards (Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa) have.
The second concern is that Panik's deal will again make it more difficult for general manager Stan Bowman to squeeze under the salary cap for next season. The Hawks currently have approximately $65 million tied up in cap hits for just 11 players.
The salary cap this season was $73 million. In addition to Panik, the only one of those 11 players who does not have a no-movement clause is center Marcus Kruger, who appears the most likely candidate to be moved. Also included in those big contracts is winger Artemi Panarin's $6 million extension, which begins next season. The Hawks also have to find a way to accommodate most of the $2.575 million in bonuses Panarin earned this season.
The Hawks acquired Panik from the Maple Leafs in a trade for Jeremy Morin in January 2016 _ a trade that has worked out better in the long run for the Hawks.
Panik, who also played for the Lightning, was languishing in the AHL with the Leafs before the Hawks scooped him.
Panik has shown the ability to fit in across all lines and formed a potent combination in the second half of the season playing on the right wing alongside center Jonathan Toews and left wing Nick Schmaltz.
"I was playing on the top lines and with top players and I think everything just clicked and everything worked for me," Panik said. "I just wanted to play my best and I really like playing in Chicago. Where's a better place to be a part of?
"I redeemed myself after those not really good seasons I had in Tampa and Toronto. I was really happy with how everything worked out."
Now, how will the Hawks make the rest of the numbers work out?
