Report: Marcus Kruger would agree to short-term deal if necessary

By David Just

If the Blackhawks can’t clear enough salary cap space to afford a long-term deal for Marcus Kruger, the forward would agree to a short-term contract to remain in Chicago, according to ESPN.

Kruger, 25, scored seven goals and had 10 assists in 81 regular-season games during the Blackhawks’ run to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He led Blackhawks forwards in penalty kill ice time and scored the game-winning goal after 1 a.m. in that memorable Game 2 against the Ducks in the Western Conference finals.

“[Kruger] will stay patient as long as [he] can,” a source told ESPN on Monday.

Here’s more:

The Blackhawks and Kruger have been in contract negotiations since late June. Kruger has asked for a long-term deal, but the Blackhawks currently do not have enough cap space to afford it. The Blackhawks are still expected to make a trade or two before the season begins. The Blackhawks are already near the cap’s ceiling without Kruger being signed. They have $70,430,962 committed to 21 projected NHL roster players and also have a $750,000 bonus overage from last season. Next season’s salary cap is $71.4 million.

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