4:56 p.m.: CapFriendly has reported the breakdown of Rolston’s ELC, which is as follows:
2023-24: $775K salary, $92.5K signing bonus
2024-25: $800K salary, $92.5K signing bonus
2025-26: $832.5K salary, $92.5K signing bonus
Rolston earns an $80K minors salary in all three seasons of the contract. As a restricted free agent, upon expiry, Chicago will owe him a qualifying offer of $874,125, or 105% of the base salary in the final year of his contract. He’ll be eligible for arbitration if he plays at least 10 games in a professional league during every season of his contract.
3:52 p.m.: The Chicago Blackhawks have signed 21-year-old forward prospect Ryder Rolston to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday afternoon. Rolston’s first-ever NHL contract carries a cap hit of $895,000, per the team.
According to multiple reports, Rolston’s contract will start next season, carrying him through 2025-26. He will report to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs for the remainder of 2022-23.
Rolston, the son of long-time NHLer Brian Rolston, leaves the University of Notre Dame after three seasons of college hockey. He showed solid development there, recording 10 goals and 27 points in 38 games during his sophomore campaign in 2021-22.
Unfortunately, Rolston’s college year ended in late January due to an injury. He finished this season with 20 points in 27 games.
Rolston was originally a draftee of the Colorado Avalanche in 2020, but his signing rights were acquired by Chicago less than a year later, along with minor-league forward Josh Dickinson, in exchange for Carl Soderberg at the 2021 trade deadline.
The younger Rolston relies on his speed for success more than his father but employs the same work ethic that made him well-liked. A relatively well-rounded forward, Rolston’s current stock slightly exceeds that of his fifth-round selection.