General manager Stan Bowman added another depth defenseman to the Blackhawks roster on Tuesday signing veteran Michal Rozsival to a one-year deal worth a reported $2 million.
Rozsival, 34, tallied 13 points (one goal), 34 penalty minutes and a plus-8 in 54 regular-season games with the Phoenix Coyotes last season. He was an effective player in the postseason, helping the Coyotes eliminate the Hawks in the first round and recording 31 hits and 28 blocked shots in 15 games.
Rozsival, who has a considerable amount of international experience, figures to be ahead of Sheldon Brookbank on the depth chart, but also is insurance if youngster Dylan Olsen doesn’t make enough progress. Brookbank is the Hawks’ only other offseason signing.
With Rozsival on board, the Hawks now have more than $25 million committed eight players on their blue line, not including Olsen.
Rozsival’s signing also jumps the Hawks over the $64 million mark as far as salary-cap hits. NHL owners are seeking a new $58 million salary cap for next season as negotiations continue for a new collective bargaining agreement.
