Panik signs 2-year extension with Chicago Blackhawks
From the AHL to a $5.6 million contract in just 17 months.
That sums up the meteoric rise of Blackhawks winger Richard Panik, who signed a two-year extension less than a year and a half after languishing in the minors with the Toronto Marlies.
"I know how good I am and what I'm capable of and how I can play," Panik said after signing the deal Thursday. Panik added that he "wanted to repay" the Hawks for having faith in him and that the first offer he received was surprising "so there wasn't much thinking involved."
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the terms of the deal.
General manager Stan Bowman traded for Panik in January 2016 when he sent Jeremy Morin to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Panik had scored 19 goals in 151 games before the trade, but he has 28 in 112 contests with the Hawks, including a career-best 22 last season. The hardworking 26-year-old forward started showing the consistency that was missing in his game for years, and he also benefitted greatly from playing about half the season on the top line with Jonathan Toews.
"I was playing on top lines with top players, and the coach trusted me," said Panik, who was taken by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2009 draft. "Everything just clicked and everything worked for me. I just wanted to play my best and I really like playing in Chicago. It's one of the top teams in the league. …
"(I wanted to) redeem myself in the NHL after those not really good seasons I had in Tampa or Toronto. So I was really happy how it worked out."
The Hawks now have 13 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies signed for 2017-18 at a cap hit of $73.06 million, according to capfriendly.com. They also have $3.558 million in overages from the 2016-17 season.
Next year's salary cap has not been announced but is expected to be between $74 million and $76 million.
The Hawks have three restricted free agents who are still not signed - forwards Tomas Jurco and Dennis Rasmussen, and defenseman Michal Kempny.
Bowman and the Hawks will lose one player to Las Vegas in the expansion draft, which is set for June 20. Teams must submit their protected lists by June 17.
Asked if he was worried Las Vegas would select him, Panik responded by saying: "In the (contract) discussions, my main reason (for signing) was I wanted to stay in Chicago, so hopefully they will protect me."
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