Could Alex Vlasic Receive a Contract Extension from the Chicago Blackhawks Soon?

By all accounts, Alex Vlasic had a very successful season for the Chicago Blackhawks. The 22 year old was orginally a 2nd round draft pick (#43 overall) in 2019 by the prior regime. At 6'6 and 216 pounds Vlasic is an imposing defender, however it's his consistency with his skating and gap coverage that has most of the fanbase excited about his long term fit in the lineup.

A native of nearby Wilmette, IL Alex Vlasic went to the east coast to play for Boston University for 3 seasons (wore an "A" his final season) before finishing the 2022 year with the Blackhawks. One season with Rockford (19 points in 56 games) and he would make the team this year and now it appears the team is ready to lock up the young blue liner:

In the past few seasons the trend has been to lock up younger players on seven or eight year deals instead of shorter term (commingly called bridge deals) contracts. Just a year and half ago, the Buffalo Sabres extended Mattias Samuelson to a seven year deal worth thirty million. The 6'4 defender (also a left shot defenseman) was the 32nd pick in 2018. Seen at as a solid top 4 defensive blue liner, Samuelsson hasn't been as productive as Vlasic in terms of his time on ice or production on the score sheet however.

While a comparable for Vlasic's deal, it is likely that the Blackhawks will have to increase the term and annual average value if they expect it to be signed. An 8 year deal is now expected (through his 30th year) however a 7 year deal (making Vlasic a UFA at age 29) could be what the player's camp prefers if they are thinking long term.

As a top 4 defender skating over twenty-one minutes per game, Vlasic could be in line to ask for a seven or eight year deal worth anywhere from 4.75 to 5.75 million. From Blackhawk Up's perspective, it would be wise to sign this particular young player before he gets too expensive.

> How Kyle Davidson should be Watching the Playoff Rosters

> Will the Hawks move on from Mackenzie Entwistle?

> Frank Nazar is Pure Excitement, Bringing Energy to the Blackhawks