Blackhawks: Former ‘Hawks forward Drake Caggiula signs with Coyotes

The Chicago Blackhawks have a number of former players they let step away this offseason, one being Drake Caggiula.

Drake Caggiula, Slater Koekkoek, and Corey Crawford all did not get re-signed by the Chicago Blackhawks. Bowman decided to let the three players walk away from the club to try and get younger along the way. Now the latest ex-Blackhawk has gotten a contract.

Drake Caggiula has been a big part of the Blackhawks’ bottom-six ever since getting traded to the club. However, injury problems and issues with taking penalties have kept Caggiula off of the ice more than on it.

It seemed likely that Chicago would decide to let Caggiula walk. I just wished it would mean he would sign for more money elsewhere. If Andrew Shaw can come back from his injury this offseason, then Chicago might not miss Caggiula much, considering the two are very similar players.

Getting a reported $700,000 for the season, Caggiula is getting another shot in the NHL. Seeing him signed for this little makes me pull out some hair wishing the Blackhawks decided to re-sign him then. Even if Chicago trades him away later in the year, that would add some prospect to the team.

Seeing Caggiula signed for this little does make me think of Dylan Strome. Strome is definitely going to lose leverage in his talks with General Manager Stan Bowman. While Strome is on a different level than Caggiula, if other free agents are signed for little due to the market and salary cap, then Strome might not get as much as he deserves.

Caggiula with the Coyotes is yet another former ‘Hawk with the franchise. He joins John Hayden, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Antti Raanta, and Nick Schmaltz. There are still several ex-Blackhawks available via free agency, including Slater Koekkoek. Hopefully, Chicago will lock up their top free agent in Dylan Strome soon.