The Blackhawks officially signed their three young stars to long-term contract extensions today. Forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane inked five-year deals and defenseman Duncan Keith signed a 13-year contract.
Keith's contract is for a reported $72 million, the largest in franchise history.
"I'm so happy to be a part of this team and this organization," Keith said. "I was drafted by this team when I was 18 years old (in 2002) and it seems like yesterday. Now I'm 26 and it's just great to be a part of it and know that I'm going to be a Blackhawk for the rest of my career. It was what I envisioned when I was first drafted by Chicago--to play my career here. It means a lot to me."
Photo: Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane today.
Toews and Kane reportedly signed identical $31.5 million contracts.
"It's been an incredible ride so far and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years," Toews said. "It doesn't get any better than playing in Chicago for our great fans. I couldn't imagine a better situation."
Said Kane, the team's leading scorer this season with nine goals and 17 assists: "(The Hawks) gave me the opportunity, 18 years old, undersized kid coming into the league, to play right away in a great city like Chicago for an organization like the Blackhawks. There's no greater feeling going out for the National Anthem and hearing the fans go crazy. Chills just going down your spine every time.
"It's been a great place to play. Chicago I think is the best city to play in the league. I grew up in Buffalo and couldn't envision playing for another team than the Sabres. Once I came to Chicago and played here I couldn't envision playing anywhere else. I'm happy to be aboard for another five (years)."
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Your idea it’s written before Web 2.0 hype. Well done.
Sorry, Tom. Can't hear you over your caps lock.
A FEW DAYS AGO, WHEN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED, THERE WAS A BALK ( DELAY ) AND INSTEAD CAME THE STORY THAT THE HAWKS WEREN'T QUITE READY TO HOLD THE PRESS CONFERENCE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO SATISFY THE NHL TAGGING OFFICIALS IN THE INFAMOUS SALARY CAP DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE SEVERAL STORIES AND SPECULATIONS THAT VARIOUS GUYS WOULD 1ST HAVE TO BE TRADED AWAY IN ORDER FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO BECOME OFFICIAL. NOW COMES THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT, BUT NOT THE "REST OF THE STORY." CAN ANYONE SHED ANY LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE ???