Blackhawks sign Seabrook to big eight-year extension

 

The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly signed defenseman Brent Seabrook to an eight-year extension worth approximately $55 million ($6.875 million per season), according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun’s updated terms.

Do note that, at this time, the Blackhawks haven’t made an announcement about the contract, even just the term. (Teams typically share details about the years, but not the money.)

Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman originally broke the news of the extension. He provided more contract details, which are especially relevant to those who are a little concerned about Seabrook, 30, declining toward the middle of this deal.

	Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Seabrook deal includes a total NMC for first 6 years and a partial NTC for last two 5:32 PM - 26 Sep 2015

The rugged yet offensively useful defenseman is currently in the final year of a deal that nets a $5.8 million cap hit, so he gets a solid raise and the security that comes with a lengthy extension.

One would assume that he may only have one or two short-term deals left in him once this extension runs out, especially considering his physical style.

The cap situation will probably be tight for the Blackhawks in 2016-17, but they’ve (reasonably) taken an approach where they lock up core players and then let supporting cast details work themselves out. Seabrook might not be as obvious a member of the team’s “nucleus,” yet he’s been a big part of their successes over the years.

He got rewarded for that on Saturday, at least according to Friedman.

Again, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman must really hope that the cap rises a little faster in 2016-17 and beyond:

	Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus
Next year's cap hits: Toews: 10.5M Kane: 10.5 Seabrook: 6.85 Crawford: 6.0 Keith: 5.5 Hossa: 5.275 Anisimov: 4.55 Hjalmarsson: 4.1#Yikes 4:38 PM - 26 Sep 2015