Blackhawks Sign Slater Koekkoek to Contract Extension
The new deal will give Koekkoek a slight raise for next season
By James Neveau ••
What to Know
Koekkoek was acquired in a trade with the Lightning that sent Jan Rutta to Tampa Bay in January 2019
Koekkoek's new contract will provide him with a slight raise over his 2018-19 salary
The defenseman will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of next season
The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping to make a big bounce back in the coming season, and it appears that at least one young blue liner will remain along for the ride, as Slater Koekkoek has agreed to an extension with the team.
Koekkoek, whom the Blackhawks acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, will make $925,000 next season on a one-year contract, a slight raise from his 2018-19 salary, the team announced in a press release.
The 10th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, Koekkoek appeared in 22 games with the Blackhawks last season, scoring a goal and dishing out four assists in those contests. He has five goals and nine assists in 85 career NHL games as a member of the Lightning and Blackhawks.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A ball and a Chicago Bears helmet are seen on the sidelines during a preseason game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Tackle Bobby Massie signs a four-year contract extension to remain with the Bears.
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The Bears take the first step to replace Cody Parkey, signing Redford Jones to a reserve contract.
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Another long-time Bear is let go, as linebacker Sam Acho was released.
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Bears tight end Ben Braunecker sticks around, signing a two-year contract extension.
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Offensive lineman Ted Larsen returns to the Bears, signing a one-year contract as free agency begins.
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The Bears made a move at running back, singing Mike Davis to a two-year contract.
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The Bears found their replacement for Bryce Callahan, signing Buster Skrine to a three-year contract.
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Cordarrelle Patterson signs a two-year contract with the Bears, aims to be their primary kick returner in 2019.
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After the Green Bay Packers signed Adrian Amos away from the Bears, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract
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3/14: Safety Adrian Amos leaves the Bears to sign a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
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Wide receiver Marvin Hall signs a one-year contract.
Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy signs a deal with the New York Jets.
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Cornerback Bryce Callahan signs a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rejoining Vic Fangio.
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Wide receiver Kevin White signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Punter Pat O’Donnell and quarterback Tyler Bray both sign one-year contracts with the Bears.
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The Bears trade running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
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The Bears sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
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The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Aaron Lynch to a one-year contract. Lynch had three sacks and four tackles for loss in the 2018 season.
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The following players were signed during the offseason to reserve/future contracts: Dejon Allen, Abdullah Anderson, Willie Beavers, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Cyril Grayson, Michael Joseph, Cornelius Lucas, Jonathon Mincy, Ryan Nall, James Vaughters, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Josh Woods
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G.M. Ryan Pace has aggressively been seeking to replace Cody Parkey as the team's kicker, and two players under contract were cut from the competition as Redford Jones and John Baron II were cut, while the team has decided to keep Elliott Fry and Chris Blewitt.
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The Bears signed three of their draft picks, including fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and seventh round picks Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Stephen Denmark. Third round pick David Montgomery remains unsigned, as does cornerback Duke Shelley.
The Blackhawks currently have at least six defensemen on their roster next season, and have decisions to make on several more. The team could bring back Henri Jokiharju, who spent the second half of the season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, and 2018 first round pick Adam Boqvist could compete for a roster spot in training camp.
The Blackhawks also have a decision to make with Gustav Forsling, who is set to become a restricted free agent in July. Dennis Gilbert, Nicolas Beaudin, and Lucas Carlsson are all under entry-level contracts with the team, meaning that they could also be in the mix for roster roles during the offseason.
Finally, the Blackhawks could draft another defenseman, as they own the third overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, or they could sign one in free agency, as highly-touted free agent Erik Karlsson will likely hit the market on July 1.
