Blackhawks Make Splash: Sign Two Forwards

The Chicago Blackhawks weren’t expected to make many moves during free agency, but they went out and added a couple pieces for their squad this upcoming season, both of which I had written about targeting earlier this off-season, in Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi. 

Max Domi

Max Domi, son of Tie Domi, is a 27 year old centremen from Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 501 career NHL games, he has 101 goals and 213 assists for 314 points. After being moved to the Hurricanes last season and playing well for them during their playoff run, he has earned a 1 year, $3M AAV contract with the Blackhawks. 

I like this deal a lot. It’s a very moveable contract if need be, and Domi brings some grit to the middle/top 6 that the Blackhawks were lacking without him. As a smaller player at 5’10, Domi’s speed will likely be what separates him from the pack this season. I don’t expect him to be the team's leading scorer by any means, but a guy that will put up 30-40 points at minimum for that type of deal is a good pick up in my books. 

Andreas Athanasiou 

Athanasiou, also 27, inked the same 1 year, $3M AAV contract with the Blackhawks today as Domi did. A 6’2, 190 pound centremen from Woodbridge, Ontario, Athanasiou has played 378 games in the NHL, adding 105 goals and 91 assists for 196 points. 

Athanasiou is another player I really like, a speedy guy with that size is someone any team will want to grab. He hasn’t really fit too well with other teams in the past, but I really like this pick up by the Hawks. Again, it’s a very moveable contract if need be, and he’ll likely be a top 6 forward with a 40-50 point season.