The Chicago Blackhawks will be adding another interesting defensive prospect to their organization, as Mark Lazerus of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that they will sign Wyatt Kalynuk to an entry-level contract. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers, Kalynuk became an unrestricted free agent last month after failing to reach an agreement with the team in their exclusive negotiating window. The 23-year old had informed the team that he would not be returning for his senior season at the University of Wisconsin and instead will end up turning pro with the Blackhawks instead.
Kalynuk, a seventh-round pick in 2017, has put up consistent offensive numbers at Wisconsin over his three years of collegiate hockey and now joins a Blackhawks pipeline brimming with defensive prospects. Chicago had already convinced Ian Mitchell earlier this spring to forgo his senior season, signing him to his own entry-level contract.
While Mitchell’s deal will be for three seasons, Kalynuk will be signing just a two-year pact given his age. With reports recently emerging that players can burn the first year of entry-level contracts this summer and no further clarification coming from Lazerus, it is not clear exactly when Wyatt’s will kick in.
The smooth-skating defenseman could potentially be an option for the Blackhawks as soon as 2020-21 given his age and experience, but will not be eligible to play this summer in Chicago’s playoff run.
hope this guy isnt the one that got away
Firstly, Welcome back, Gavin! Secondly, wouldn’t it seem a better and less arduous path to the NHL through Philly, rather than Chicago? Interesting choice by Wyatt, so maybe he sees something in the ‘Hawks development system that he likes more…
Maybe he agrees with the people over at The Athletic who say the Hawks don’t have a to p50 prospect. I think Ian Mitchell is a top prospect but I guess they don’t see it that way. Maybe Wyatt doesn’t think the competition coming from the other young defensemen isn’t that strong and like you say sees a better opportunity with the Hawks. Personally anyone is a better option over Oli Matta if the Hawks could somehow manage to get rid of him.
@JtS12 – Yeah, Olli Maatta hasn’t worked out like the ‘Hawks wanted, that’s for sure…
How long are we on the hook for Maatta for? How many more years?
@aias – Looks like through 2021-2022, unfortunately, and with an overpay of $4.083MM, the ‘Hawks may very well have to pay to get rid of him.
Yeah. Looks like that is what CapFriendly says he is owed. It is kind of frustrating to be honest. He isn’t a bad player. I think he makes a positive contribution to the team. It is just that he is overpaid. I think he is worth closer to $3M a season though I haven’t looked deeply into comparisons. Without the virus the Hawks could have probably traded his entire cap hit for a 5th round pick or something but now with the flat cap I seriously doubt anyone will be willing to take him on, especially the few teams that would be able to absorb the whole hit. Another situation of the teams with the cap space don’t have the need and the teams with the need don’t have the cap space.
@JtS12 – And, adding injury to insult, at least for the next couple of years, could be the possibility of teams imposing their own internal cap, which could impact the trading landscape. So that “Cap space” thing we like to bandy about, could end up turning into “which few teams will actually try to spend to the cap?” Some of those bad contracts will look relatively horrible for the next 2-3 years, no thanks to the new COVID-created Martian landscape…
Oh definitely. Teams like Arizona, Carolina, and Florida in the past I believe posed an internal salary cap. Now under new ownership I think that has changed in Carolina and Arizona. They have spent to the league mandated cap the last couple of years with new owners but yeah that could definitely change where we start to see teams set their own cap until we all know that fans will be back and revenues will be maximized as much as possible but I agree that won’t be for 2-3 years.
Oh definitely. Teams like Arizona, Carolina, and Florida in the past I believe posed an internal salary cap. Now under new ownership I think that has changed in Carolina and Arizona. They have spent to the league mandated cap the last couple of years with new owners but yeah that could definitely change where we start to see teams set their own cap until we all know that fans will be back and revenues will be maximized as much as possible but I agree that won’t be for 2-3 years.