The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Monday that they have re-signed center Ben Smith and left wing Ben Bollig to two-year contracts and goaltender Carter Hutton to a one-year contract. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. All three players would have been eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. In 13 games last season with the Blackhawks, Smith had two goals. He also appeared in 38 games with Rockford of the AHL, scoring 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points. Bollig had 58 penalty minutes and was held pointless in 18 games with the Blackhawks. He also played in 53 games with Rockford, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points and 163 penalty minutes. Hutton posted a 22-13-4 record, three shutouts, a 2.40 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. He also appeared in 14 games with Toledo of the ECHL, posting a 7-7-0 record, with a 3.15 GAA, and a .900 save percentage. He has yet to appear in an NHL game.
These aren't bad depth moves for the Blackhawks. Smith brings some two-way upside and versatility to the forward lines, while Bollig adds plenty of toughness and grit to the checking lines. Hutton will likely spend almost all of next season in the minors, where he will bring plenty of goaltending skill to Rockford.
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