Blackhawks Sign College FA Mike Hardman
ESPN’s John Buccigross reported on Monday afternoon that the Chicago Blackhawks will sign college free agent forward Mike Hardman.
On Tuesday the Blackhawks made the deal official, announcing a two-year deal that will begin this season. He has been assigned to the taxi squad. The deal has a $912,500 cap hit.
Hardman, 22, just finished his sophomore season at Boston College. He’s listed at 6-2 and 198 pounds and is a left-handed shot. He was not drafted.
Hardman finished the season tied for second on BC with ten goals and tied for third on the roster with 19 points.
Kind of a surprise signing unless it’s an AHL contract because the Hawks have only 2 NHL contract slots left. He had decent scoring numbers but he played on a line with Boldy and Newhook – two 1st round draft picks. Keeping fingers crossed.
He is too big for Colliton. He will get 6 minutes a game every 7th game and back down to Rockford. The Hawks don’t care for power forwards who may drive the net. It screws up their perimeter offense.
EB could be same as Slavin too, elc starts next season and plays on an ato in Rfd. the rest of this season, maybe he wants to burn an elc year too if he signs though, so that would change things. Patience TimW, at least they are bringing in the type of players your calling for.
Rumor has it he`s a Hardman to play against .
For every undrafted free agent that signs with an NHL club and makes it to the NHL, there are dozens that never play a game. I would keep expectations low until proven otherwise.
I expected to see somebody (and it isn’t me) on here demanding we get Anisimov from Calgary now that he’s on waivers.
silent
anisimov comes back and i am done with the hawks and tuning in on roller derby instead. how does a center play 141 games with panarin and kane and only manage 45 assists?
Got a feeling we’ll see Hardman in a game before the season ends
Wrap sounds like they want to get a look at him. Assigned to taxi squad, so need to open a spot for him. Wonder if Janmark moved they would give him a chance to fill his spot. Sounds like Kalynuk playing for Beaudin tonight, so Beaudin could be sent to Rfd. when moves made.
Based on last game, Beaudin needs to seriously up his compete level in the defensive zone when the other team has the puck. Or maybe watch Duncan Keith and the energy and urgency he is able to summon to confront a puck carrier and win a battle or at least engage. Beaudin was out for two goals against just skating generally around his guy but not even within a stick length of being on him. Gliding, not even striding. Until he fixes that, he will be an AHL player.
So happy to see Kalynuk get a look. Also surprised they are not rotating Carlson in more often.
49 contracts. Not much wiggle room so If Stan sells in the next 13 days. Expiring contracts for draft picks.
Guys like Brad Morrison, Mikael Haikarrainen and Anton Lindholm who have absolutely no future in Chicago, could be stuffed in a deal I suppose.
Craig no doubt now some bodies be moving before tdl, if he takes contracts. Good thing is there’s lots of room next year, only 30 contracts so far with just 5 or 6 rfas to resign, be able to absorb a contract or 2 there.
Also, Scott Powers reporting what I have posted on this board. Hawks seemingly have no interest in signing Slava Demin. They view him as a decent college defenseman who does not have NHL upside.
PLayers like Hagel Barratt Reichel and other like these will make our roster nice and nasty when were ready.
Not done yet …no news from the Hawks ….right ?
?zhafiarov ? …in February….not done yet and never had news from the Hawks .
Maybe Hardman is really interested to sign …. maybe.
Why again nothing is on the Hawks Site.
Grrrr.
He reminds me of Byran Bickell. The Blackhawks are sorely in need of front-end size and he’s a start.