Niklas Hjalmarsson
was as surprised as anyone when the Sharks extended an offer sheet to him earlier this month.
“I came back from a vacation and my agent called me and said San Jose had made a very good offer,” said the young defenseman who signed the four-year, $14 million offer. “I was a little shocked; I didn’t see that coming. It was a great deal and you have to look after yourself and your family. It was a tough decision. Everyone in this (Hawks) organization has been so great to me and the fans are awesome and I won the Cup here.”
The Hawks matched the offer, ensuring Hjalmarsson will be part of the team’s core.
“I’m stoked to be back here,” he said. “It gives me more motivation for the next four years to prove that I deserve the contract.”
Missing: The puck
Patrick Kane
scored the game-winning goal with in overtime of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Flyers isn’t the only artifact of a memorable season that’s missing. The heavyweight wrestling belt the team passed around following each victory during the latter part of the season also has disappeared.
“They gave me the belt at the parade so I was looking forward to having that thing all summer,” Kane said. “We went out that night and I gave it to someone to wear and I haven’t seen the thing since.”
One-timers:
Viktor Stalberg
will wear sweater No. 25 and fellow newcomer
John Scott
will be No. 32. … The Hawks officially announced the signing of defenseman
Nick Leddy
to a three-year contract.
