Blackhawks Sign Marcus Kruger To 3-Year Extension

(CBS) The Blackhawks have signed forward Marcus Kruger to a three-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2018-'19 season.

The deal is for $9.25 million total over three seasons, according to multiple reports. That's a quality pay raise for Kruger, who displayed patience as a free agent last offseason, rebuffing interest from other teams to return to the Blackhawks on a one-year, $1.5-million deal that didn't get done until September. While the market played out, Kruger sat idly, waiting for Chicago to make cap-clearing moves.

The 25-year-old Kruger has primarily been a bottom-six center for Chicago, and he's played a contributing role on championship teams in 2013 and 2015. He's been out since having left wrist surgery in mid-December, as he's recorded just one point this season. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 28. He could return in several weeks.

Kruger had 17 points in 2014-'15 and had four points in the postseason, including a game-winning goal in triple-overtime in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

Kruger's spent his entire six-year NHL career with the Blackhawks, who took him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft.