Blackhawks Sign Richard Panik To 1-Year Deal

(CBS) Just hours after parting with promising forward Teuvo Teravainen while simultaneously dumping the contract of winger Bryan Bickell in a deal with the Hurricanes on Wednesday, the Blackhawks used some of that free money to bring back one of their free agents.

Chicago has signed forward Richard Panik to a one-year deal, the team announced Wednesday afternoon. The 25-year-old Panik had eight points, including six goals, in 30 games for the Blackhawks last season after being acquired in a trade with the Maple Leafs in early January. The move was expected after the Blackhawks had opened up nearly $5 million in salary cap space earlier in the day.

Panik figures to get plenty of time on the top line alongside Jonathan Toews, a role he filled at times last season.

Panik was selected by the Lightning in the second round of the 2009 draft. He has 25 goals and 22 assists in 181 career NHL games.