The Chicago Blackhawks announced that Marcus Kruger has signed a three-year extension with the team. According to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, Kruger’s new deal is worth $9.25 million. The contract runs through the 2018-2019 regular season.
Marcus Kruger Signs 3-Year Extension with Chicago Blackhawks
Kruger, 25, is currently on LTIR after undergoing successful wrist surgery in December. The 25-year-old center was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season after signing a one-year, 1.5 million deal last year with Chicago. The Blackhawks selected Kruger with the 149th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
In 320 career regular season games, the Stockholm, Sweden native has registered 85 points (28G, 57A). Kruger had played 33 games this season before suffering the injury to his left wrist, but has failed to score his first goal of the 2015-2016 campaign so far (one assist).
The penalty-killing specialist is also a two-time Stanley Cup winner, capturing the elusive trophy with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. While playing a combined 46 games during those pair of championship runs, Kruger scored five goals. Undoubtedly, the most significant tally was a triple-overtime marker in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in 2015 against the Anaheim Ducks, evening up the series at one game apiece.
Kruger is projected to return to the Blackhawks lineup just in time for Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in mid-April.
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