The Blackhawks announced a pair of signings late Thursday morning. They’ve inked D Michal Rozsival and LW Brandon Mashinter to one year contracts. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN/TSN reports that Rozsival will earn $600K and Mashinter $575K. Both amounts are identical to what each player earned in 2015-16.
The 37 year old Rozsival played in 51 games with Chicago last season, picking up a goal and 12 assists in a #6/7 defenseman role, a spot he’ll likely hold on the depth chart again in 2016-17. The 15 year veteran has played in 941 career NHL games between the Penguins, Rangers, Coyotes, and Blackhawks, recording 67 goals and 239 assists. He averaged 16:09 per game in ice time last year.
Mashinter split last season between the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate in Rockford. In 41 NHL games, he picked up four goals and an assist while playing 7:29 per game. He also added seven points (4-3-7) in 12 AHL contests. Prior to last season, Mashinter had been held pointless in his previous 20 NHL games. He will likely serve as a depth forward for the Blackhawks next year.