Photo credit: The Hockey News
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has been quite busy all day locking in new players to his team which include three-time Stanley Cup champion defensemen Alec Martinez.
#Blackhawks sign three-time Stanley Cup champion defenseman Alec Martinez to one-year deal: https://t.co/qACIbDJGWj
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) July 1, 2024
His new deal consists of one year at a rate of $4 million AAV. The 36-year-old veteran had played the bulk of his career with the Los Angeles Kings who was then moved to the Vegas Golden Knights where between the two teams he had won three Stanley cups.
Alec Martinez, signed 1x$4M by CHI, is a veteran defensive defenceman who blocks shots and kills penalties. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/wY92QfGBRI
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2024
Standing at 6 foot one 209 lbs he will give the Black Hawk size on the back end and veteran leadership as the team continues to round out its roster with youth and speed. It’s likely that Martinez will become part of the leadership group as he will join Nick Foligno, newly acquired forward Tyler Bertuzzi and Taylor Hall.
SIGNED: The Chicago Blackhawks have signed D Alec Martinez to a one-year contract, worth $4,000,000.#Blackhawks
(📷: Stephen R. Sylvanie) pic.twitter.com/zrooeXIoNz
— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) July 1, 2024
He played 55 games with the Vegas Golden Knights and managed 17 points during that time. He will also bring valuable penalty killing experience for this young squad.
ABSOLUTE ALEC MARTINEZ SNIPE‼️ pic.twitter.com/VLvyGI0K15
— That’s Hockey Talk (@ThatsHockeyTalk) June 14, 2023
Free agency has just started but Kyle Davidson seems to be on the right path to making the Blackhawks better and more competitive for next season.