Oliver Moore Deal Sets Tone For Blackhawks’ Next Big Contracts
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks just closed a major chapter. General manager Kyle Davidson signed forward Oliver Moore to a five-year extension worth $21.25 million. That breaks down to $4.25 million per season. It is a smart move to lock him up a year before his entry-level deal ends. Per Blackhawk Up, this deal would have cost much more if the team waited until next summer when the salary cap rises. Moore joins Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, and others in the group of young stars already secured.
Defensemen Face a Fork in the Road
Now the focus shifts to the blue line. Artyom Levshunov is the name everyone is watching. He had a bumpy first year, but he has time to fix it. With Bowen Byram taking the top spot on the right side, Levshunov won’t face the same pressure to run the power play. He can just play and get better. Blackhawk Up suggests he should play out this season and wait to sign next summer. A similar player, Zeev Buium, just signed an eight-year deal worth $9.38 million annually. That is the new price tag for top defensemen.
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Sam Rinzel is another name to track. Like Levshunov, he did not have the rookie year he wanted. But the talent is there. The team needs him to show growth if they want to climb out of the basement. Davidson wants to build a strong core, and these two are key parts of that plan.
Scoring Depth Beyond Bedard
The team also needs more goals from players other than Connor Bedard. Nick Lardis is the player who might fill that role. He scored 71 goals in the junior ranks last year. He recorded five assists and 10 goals across 41 games in the NHL. Before securing his position, he began the season in the minors playing for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
If Lardis can reach that level, the Blackhawks will have a real weapon. The team cannot rely on Bedard alone to carry the offense. They need guys like Lardis to step up and score in tight games.
