Chicago Blackhawks reportedly sign Oliver Moore to a 5-year, $21.25 million extension

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed 21-year-old forward Oliver Moore to a five-year, $21.25 million contract extension, according to reports Thursday. The deal comes with a $4.25 million salary-cap hit and will begin in the 2027-28 season.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the signing.

It’s another deal that could be a steal if Moore takes a leap in upcoming seasons. The cap hit is more than $2 million less than that of Hawks center Frank Nazar, whose seven-year, $46.2 million contract begins this season.

Moore, the No. 19 pick in the 2023 draft, is coming off an up-and-down rookie season. In 51 games, he totaled 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) while shifting across the lineup as both a wing and center.

He suffered a lower-body injury March 8 against the Dallas Stars that sidelined him for the rest of the season. He returned to hockey for the IIHF World Championship, in which he had three assists in eight games for Team USA.

The Hawks are more inclined to leave Moore at center this season, joining a group that also includes Connor Bedard, Nazar and Anton Frondell. He has centered the third line in training camp with Ryan Donato and Andrew Mangiapane as his wings.

Coach Jeff Blashill has liked what he has seen.

“The biggest thing I would say with (Moore) is when I watched him play at the worlds … I thought he did a really good job of having that tenacity without the puck but being calmer with the puck,” Blashill said Monday. “He’s showing signs of doing a real good job with that.”