Welcome to Chicago Kid: Landon Slaggert Signs 2-Year Deal

That didn’t take long at all. The Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have agreed to a two-year deal Landon Slaggert, whose Notre Dame Fighting Irish were eliminated in the Big Ten Tournament last night.

Per the team’s release, the contract runs through the 2024-25 season. The cap hit is $912,500.

The move was widely expected as Slaggert had expressed his intent to sign with Chicago once the year was up, and now pen has been put to paper.

Landon Slaggert and His Career Year at Notre Dame

Slaggert reached career highs in both points and goals this season, including a pair of goals at the end of his collegiate career. He potted one in each of the final two Big Ten Tourney games against Michigan. Alas, while it wasn’t enough to prolong the Irish’s season, he now gets a crack at the big time with the Blackhawks.

On Friday, general manager Kyle Davidson wouldn’t say much about it, but much of that was the fact that Slaggert was still at amateur status with games on deck.

But what Davidson has seen clearly impressed him and the front office enough all season long–and now to bring him aboard.

“He had a great year offensively especially, goal scoring, kind of found a little extra goal scoring punch, which I think is good for his confidence,” Davidson said.  “Again, being a leader there, getting a lot of time and playing against some pretty good teams in the Big Ten is a great experience.

But he just continued that style of play, the relentless, high compete style and added a little bit of offense this year, which was good to see and good for his confidence when his season is done and hopefully we can turn him pro.”

Can Slaggert Add a Scoring Punch?

That goal scoring is desperately needed in Chicago where the Hawks are dead last in team goals and aren’t even within 50 goals of last year’s output with 18 games left to play. Their 131 goals for compared to 204 last season–which also ranked dead last–is a ghastly indicator that things have gone worse than anyone could have expected.

Now, Slaggert may have a chance to factor in and try his hand at the professional side of things. Lauded for his leadership skills, he’ll seamlessly fit there. How about on the scoresheet?

Welcome to Chicago, kid.

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