Notre Dame Star Landon Slaggert Officially Signs With The Chicago Blackhawks

Landon Slaggert made it clear he was going to sign his entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks once Notre Dame's season was over.

He officially signed a two-year deal with the Blackhawks a day after the Fighting Irish were eliminated from the Big 10 Tournament by Michigan.

There was some fear the Hawks' 2020 third-round pick would elect free agency after not joining the team last summer. Slaggert returned to Notre Dame with the intent to work on his offensive game and not blow off the Blackhawks.

The work paid off as the 21-year-old forward scored 20 goals and passed out 11 assists. Those are much better than the disastrous numbers he had during his junior season when he registered just 13 points. Slaggert also returned to Notre Dame for his senior year to play with his brother, Carter, who was a freshman on the squad.

The Irish are not going to make the NCAA Tournament so that allowed Slaggert to sign his entry-level deal in time to possibly play with the Blackhawks as soon as Tuesday.

The Chicago Blackhawks sure could use his improved offense to close out the season.

Chicago Sun-Times Blackhawks beat reporter Ben Pope recently ranked Slaggert as the team's fifth-best prospect. CHGO's Blackhawks Podcast host and beat reporter Mario Tirabassi rated him as a level-three prospect coming into this season. That is a prospect who at the very least should develop into a complimentary player like Dave Bolland.

Slaggert does have the potential to be a center or a wing on the top two lines. His skill set also translates to being an effective third-line player. Hawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton gave that assessment in late January.

Notre Dame season's ending gives Slaggert 17 games to ease into the NHL before he plays a full season next year. Hopefully, he picks up the game quickly so he can help out a team that is struggling offensively.