Marcus Kruger Signs 3-Year, $9.25 Million Contract Extension with Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that forward Marcus Kruger has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the team. The deal runs through the 2018-2019 season and is worth $9.25 million, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, which translates to an annual cap hit of $3.08 million.

Marcus Kruger Signs 3-Year, $9.25 Million Contract Extension with Blackhawks

Kruger, 25, was set to become a restricted free agent for the second straight offseason. He had initially settled for a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The forward is currently sitting out due to a left wrist injury but is expected to return by the beginning of the postseason. In 33 games this season, he’s recorded one assist.

One sign that Kruger was probably going to stay with the Blackhawks came just before the trade deadline, when the team traded young center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens. Many had initially considered Danault, a former first-round pick, to be the apparent successor to Kruger as a defensive stopper on the fourth line.

Caption: CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 04: Marcus Kruger #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks knocks the puck away from Scottie Upshall #10 of the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on November 4, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)