The Chicago Blackhawks added some depth to their blue line on Tuesday by signing free agent defenseman Michal Rozsival to a one-year contract.
The team did not release the financial terms of the deal but it's reportedly worth $2 million according to Josh Rimer.
Injuries have limited the 34-year-old Rozsival to just 119 games combined over the past two seasons, but when healthy he's a solid second-pairing defenseman that can play in any situation. He spent the past season-and-a-half with the Phoenix Coyotes, and in 54 games last season scored one goal to go with 12 assists. His future with the Coyotes was pretty much determined on draft day when the team re-acquired defenseman Zbynek Michalek from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The addition of Rozsival helps to solidify what was an already strong blue line in Chicago that includes Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Steve Montador, Johnny Oduya and talented youngster Nick Leddy. Given the way Chicago's goaltending situation played out last season with Corey Crawford and Ray Emery (26th in the NHL in save percentage) and in the playoffs (even worse than it was during the regular season) the Blackhawks are probably going to need a strong defensive effort.
In 756 career games with the Penguins, Rangers, and Coyotes Rozsival has scored 64 goals and been credited with 196 assists.
With Roszival now off the market the best remaining defenseman in free agency is former Blues rearguard Carlo Colaiacovo. He's received interest from the Detroit Red Wings.
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