The Blackhawks and Collin Delia agreed to a three-year contract extension Monday, locking up the potential restricted free agent and solidifying an uncertain goalie position.
The deal, which runs through the 2021-22 season, carries a team-friendly $1 million cap hit.
"It's a huge vote of confidence in myself and my ability," Delia said. "Couldn't be happier to do it now. At this time of the year, it feels really good."
With Corey Crawford having one year left on his contract and Cam Ward a free agent after this season, signing Delia, 24, was a priority for the Hawks. The deal marks him as the team's goalie of the future _ if not the present.
After leading the AHL in save percentage to start this season, Delia was called up to the Hawks in December after Crawford's concussion and as continued his stellar play with a 2.98 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 12 games.
The Hawks initially signed Delia as an undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Merrimack College in Massachusetts, and he quickly rose through the organization, making his NHL debut last season.
"That's the conversation I had with my agent: 'Look where you were less than a year and a half ago,' " Delia said. "To have an offer of a three-year contract, it's just amazing. Happy to spend three more years in Chicago."
