Chicago Blackhawks Rumor: Michal Rozsival Might Start Season On LTIR

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 26: Michal Rozsival
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 26: Michal Rozsival

The Blackhawks rumor mill is still churning right along this off-season. With one month left till Hockey returns, Teams are trying to find out how to get under the salary cap. As it stands today the Hawks are currently -$34,795 over the Cap. Now I am sure the Hawks can do some fancy roster manipulation to get under the cap before the season begins. Once the season begins, the Hawks will add Hossa to LTIR. It appears Hossa’s contract might have some company on LTIR.

Barstoolchief is tweeting that he is hearing Rozy my also be on LTIR to start the year.

Scott Powers of the Athletic also acknowledged the fact that Rosival is dealing with the after effects of a sucker punch from last season. While many did not believe that Rozsival would play big minutes this year, his injury does leaves the Blackhawks thinner on the blue line. It is also free ups more cap space for this season.

Perhaps the Hawks could use that space to sign Cody Franson. I have been pushing the Blackhawks to sign Franson all off-season. I would have thought he would have gotten a contract from an NHL team by now.

Franson is to be deciding between Edmonton and Chicago.  He would be invited to Chicago on a Professional Tryout Contract and then signed after the season started.

Reports: Franson has signed a PTO with the Hawks

ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 17: Cody Franson
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 17: Cody Franson /

There has been a report that Cody Franson has signed a PTO with the Blackhawks.

Franson had 1-year offers elsewhere but decided to sign with the Hawks. We will go more in depth later. My initial reaction is that this a good signing for the Hawks. It gives them an NHL quality defensemen to go along with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks now can choose between Ville Pokka, Jan Rutta, Gustav Forsling, and others. I will say the Blue line is thin but it got a little thicker with Franson in on a PTO.

This move was a must have for the Blackhawks. Kudos to Stan Bowman and the rest of the Blackhawks for luring Franson to the Hawks.