The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to sign winger Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year, $16.2MM contract, shares PuckPedia (Twitter link).
This move reunites Teravainen with where it all began, having been selected by the Blackhawks 18th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. Teravainen was drafted out of Finland’s Liiga, where he played two additional following his draft selection. The 2014-15 season marked Teravainen’s first full year in North American pros, and he managed it to good effect, earning an NHL role after posting 25 points in 39 games. The Blackhawks struggled to place the young and relatively inexperienced Teravainen in the lineup, but he still found his way to strong scoring – netting nine points in 34 regular season games and then lighting up for 10 points in 18 postseason games as the Blackhawks chased the 2015 Stanley Cup.
The performance during Chicago’s cup run turned Teravainen into a fan favorite, with Chicago eager for his first full NHL season in 2015-16. But Teravainen couldn’t hold onto his groove despite the anticipation, netting just 35 points in 78 games. Perhaps seeing their chance to sell high, Chicago dealt Teravainen to the Carolina Hurricanes, receiving a second and third-round pick in return, used on prospects Artur Kayumov and Keith Petruzzelli, respectively.
But Chicago was quickly forced to eat their words, as Teravainen posted 42 points in his first year with the Hurricanes, then exploded for 64, 76, and 63 points over the next three seasons. Each year was marked with high goal-scoring, including two 20-goal years. That’s the pace that Teravainen has held onto ever since, with last year’s 37 points in 68 games marking the lowest he’s scored when healthy in Carolina. Even then, he quickly rebounded, netting 25 goals and 53 points in 76 games this season. He added six points in 11 playoff games, pulling himself back into the scoring light after a down year.
He’ll now get a shot at potentially playing with Connor Bedard in a first-line role and is a major boon to their wing depth, joining Tyler Bertuzzi as their high-profile additions today.
Awesome move. I like this off season already. Bedard-Teuvo-Hall? Kurashev? I don’t care. Now all the kids can go back to school and develop some more. Except for Arty. I wouldn’t mind seeing him wear an Indian Head Crest next year.
Whoa! The Wirtz’ goin shopping today!
The rebuild is being expedited.
Luke Richardson doing a Happy dance at Hawks offices right now.
I like this move, just hope we can set up a foundation to land a big name in the next two years
Seems like a good deal for his production
Q totally trashed Teuvo the last time he was here. Leddy too. Guys moved on to be solid NHL performers. He got a raw deal here last time, He could shine this time. He has the skates to keep up with Bedard.
If you’re expecting more than 20g 25a from TT you’ll be disappointed. As expected an overpay for an average winger. His time with Bedard will be short as someone like Lardis will bump him down a line…
The hawks got money and he’s proven to be capable of 60 points skating with players like Aho, Bedard is/or will be better than Aho
I see no reason Teuvo can’t up his goal scoring to 30-30 playing with guys like Bedard or Nazar. Plus maybe Oliver Moore next year. Hawks are going to have a lot of tough decisions to make in a couple of years. Good solid signings today with the only disappointment for me being moron Maroon. Guys a clown. It’s only 1.3 million for 1 year. He should be a healthy scratch most of the time I hope. I was a little underwhelmed by Broissoit at first but we needed a solid B/U for Mrazek who can start if Mrazek gets injured or share time with him if he’s healthy. He fits the bill but I might of chased different fish but I’ll trust KD. He hasn’t let me down so far. Perfect Cap Management.