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Shawn Lalonde is finally a free agent four years after turning down a Blackhawks contract

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.