Shawn Lalonde understood the potential consequences at the time. He was just set on parting ways with the Blackhawks.
Lalonde, a defenseman, had been a third-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2008 and had spent all but one game of his first three years as a professional in the AHL. He was fed up and didn’t see his situation getting any better.
When the Blackhawks provided him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent after the 2012-13 season, Lalonde decided to not re-sign with them. By doing so, his NHL career was put on hold until his rights expired.