The Chicago Blackhawks have come to terms with forward Dylan Strome on a two-year contract extension, adding needed depth at center.
The deal carries a $3 million salary-cap hit. Strome, who enters his fifth season, had a $863,333 cap hit in 2019-20 with nearly $2.5 million in performance bonuses.
The Hawks initially were at an impasse with Strome, but president of hockey operations and general manager Stan Bowman had expressed optimism they would reach a deal.
Kirby Dach broke his right wrist during the IIHF World Junior Championships, and captain Jonathan Toews is out indefinitely with an unspecified illness, severely compromising the team’s depth at center.
The Hawks recently signed veteran Carl Soderberg.
Strome had 12 goals and 26 assists in 58 games last season, plus two goals and an assist in nine postseason games. He has sought to prove to management that he belongs among the Hawks’ future core.
“We believe Dylan is ready to take the next step in his career and build off the strides he has made in his first two years in Chicago,” Bowman said in a statement. “He has great offensive instincts and brings creativity and skill to our team. We are thrilled he is now signed and able to join us (Monday) for the start of training camp.”
The Hawks open the season Jan. 13 at Tampa Bay.