Bolland gets new deal with Hawks
The Chicago Blackhawks first offseason signing Monday night was an important one.
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Chicago re-signed forward Dave Bolland to a five-year deal, locking up one of the team's more consistent performers last season.
The new contract is worth $16.875 million for an average of $3.375 million per year.
Bolland posted 47 points and was a plus-19 in 81 regular-season games this past season and added 12 points in 17 postseason contests to help the Hawks reach the Western Conference finals.
The Blackhawks also reached agreements with restricted free agents Jake Dowell (two years) and Antti Niemi (one year), who both spent most of the season in the minors. Team spokesman Brandon Faber says all three deals need league approval.
The Hawks' other restricted free agents this season are Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer and Cam Barker. The team is also continuing discussions with soon-to-be free-agent forward Martin Havlat.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
