11:02 AM: The Blackhawks officially confirmed Moore’s signing.
9:43 AM: The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to sign college center Oliver Moore to an entry-level contract (as per Scott Powers and Scott Wheeler of The Athletic). Moore was a Blackhawks first-round pick in 2023 (19th overall) and will be leaving college early to sign a pro contract and join Chicago. PuckPedia reports that the deal, which will carry a cap hit of $942K and an AAV of $1.34MM, breaks down as follows:
2024-25: $830K salary, $95K signing bonus, $25K games-played bonus
2025-26: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus, $600K ‘A’ bonuses
2026-27: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus, $600K ‘A’ bonuses
Moore’s NCAA season came to an end on Thursday when the University of Minnesota was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament, and the expectation is that the 20-year-old will join the Blackhawks today for practice and possibly dress for his NHL debut tomorrow.
Moore finished fourth on the Golden Gophers in scoring this season, his second in the NCAA. The Mounds View, Minnesota native tallied 12 goals and 21 assists in 38 games, along with a +13 plus/minus. In his rookie season last year, Moore posted very similar numbers with nine goals and 24 assists in 39 games and was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team. Moore’s college career ultimately ended in disappointment when Minnesota was knocked out of the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, however, he did finish his career on a high, recording points in eight of his final nine college games and ten points overall to wrap his collegiate career.
Moore has also had a decorated international career, winning gold medals with Team USA at back-to-back World Juniors, including this past year where he registered a goal and four assists in seven games.
Moore went through some offensive inconsistencies this season, but he remains a high-end prospect with elite skating abilities and should be an impact player for the Blackhawks in the near future. His versatility will be an asset, and he should bring energy to a Blackhawks team that continues to stockpile young talent.
3rd line Center with speed. The Hawks need all the talent they can get.
maybe at first 3rd line but hes got top 6 potential
Looking forward to seeing exactly how fast he is.
Not sure if he’ll ever be a big scorer at the NHL level, but with his speed he’ll find his place somewhere in the lineup.
The key is if he can win a face off. If he’s any good at it should be at least a valuable player on the PK. With his speed and Bedard maybe they fit together somehow.
Love to see Moore, Nazar and Korchinski on the ice to see how these 3 speed guys skate together.