The Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Jordin Tootoo and defenseman Michal Rozsival to one-year contract extensions, the team announced Tuesday. Terms of the deals are unknown, but both moves will help cover the Blackhawks’ exposure requirements for the upcoming Vegas expansion draft.
Tootoo and Rozsival are a pair of veterans playing bit parts on the Blackhawks this season. Neither played has performed particularly well, but they’re respected, experienced players who provide extra leadership in the locker room.
The real reason for the moves, however, is the expansion draft. As we’ve explained in the past, one of the criteria that each NHL team must meet when exposing players to Vegas is the 40/70 rule.