Thursday, May 11, 2017

Blackhawks Re-sign Panik to 2-yr Extension

By Randy Holndoner (@bhawkschatter)

The Chicago Blackhawks have resigned forward, Richard Panik to a 2-year extension worth an unconfirmed $5.6million ($2.8mil cap hit).

Panik, 26, had career highs last year, playing in every game (82), accumulating 44 points (22G 22A), and was a +14.

Panik started the year as hot as anyone in the NHL by scoring six goals on his first nine shots.  He cooled down afterwards, but in the second half of the season, joined with Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz, helped the Blackhawks go on a string of wins that catapulted them to win the Central Division.

In the very brief playoff series against the Nashville Predators, Panik managed just a single assist in four games.

Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2nd round (52nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Panik was moved to Toronto, where he was traded to the Blackhawks on January 3rd, 2016, in exchange for Jeremy Morin.