As expected for some time, Dominik Kahun has turned his success in his native Germany and at the 2018 Winter Olympics into his first NHL contract. The Athletic’s Scott Powers reports that the Chicago Blackhawks have signed Kahun to an entry-level deal. Both Kahun and the Blackhawks have confirmed the contract and CapFriendly reports that it is a two-year deal worth the ELC-max $925 base salary, but nothing has been publicly announced. Chicago has long been considered the favorite to sign Kahun and could be willing to give the affordable talent an NHL look sooner rather than later.
The 22-year-old forward is coming off quite the season. His DEL team, EHC Munchen, were league champions, as Kahun finished third in scoring with 41 points in 42 games, and Team Germany made an unlikely run to a silver medal at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang behind Kahun’s five points in seven games. All around, this has been the best season of Kahun’s career and he has caught the eye of many around the hockey world.
Now, the next test will be to see if his talent translates to the NHL. This year’s NHL-less Olympics and certainly the DEL are not comparable to the best hockey league in the world. However, Kahun also had past success in the OHL and at the World Juniors, which are better predictors of NHL success. What Kahun lacks in exceptional size, speed, or strength, he makes up for with great vision and intelligence and next-level stick skills. If Kahun continues to work hard and strive for success, expect him to find immediate success in the AHL and perhaps in Chicago as well.