Chicago Blackhawks sign five
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed defenseman Jassen Cullimore, goaltender Hannu Toivonen, forwards Evan Brophey, Nathan Davis and Hugh Jessiman, all to one year contracts.
The signings help to fill out the Blackhawks AHL line-up while taking care of their remaining restricted free agent.
Cullimore and Toivonen spent the end of last season with the Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate club the Rockford Ice Hogs. Toivonen is expected to remain with the Ice Hogs for the duration of the season, baring any injuries to either starter Marty Turco or back-up Corey Crawford. While Cullimore may be making the move in and out of the Blackhawks line-up throughout the season, as they currently only have five NHL defenseman signed to contracts.
The forwards Brophey, and Davis were 2005 draft picks of the Blackhawks and restricted free agents this off-season. The two forwards will remain in the AHL next season to develop their skills.
Jessiman played for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL last year, and will join the Ice Hogs in order to fill out their line-up.
The Toivonen and Cullimore signings could be important to the Blackhawks as their line-up is very thin, and they may be called upon throughout the course of the season. There is speculation that Toivonen, who has previous NHL experience, could be called up to play behind the aging Turco.
Nevertheless, the keys in the signing for the Hawks are the youngsters Brophey and Davis, who will be given another year at the AHL level, but could be called up afterwards if the Hawks once again feel the crunch of the salary cap.
Last season with the Ice Hogs Brophey recorded 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points, in his second season with the club. While Davis notched eight goals and three assists in 23 games with Rockford.
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