By dumping Kris Versteeg’s salary on Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks opened up room to fill some final roster spots. They didn’t waste much time in that regard.
After re-signing Marcus Kruger later last night, the Blackhawks gave defenseman Jan Hejda a PTO, according to the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline.
Hejda obviously has his limitations - his possession stats weren’t even that great relative to his Colorado Avalanche teammates last season, and that team is notorious for being poor in that area - but he does bring bountiful experience to the table.
The 37-year-old has 627 regular season games and 10 postseason contests on his resume, all in the West.
Hejda stands as a big body who, ideally, would be the hockey equivalent to an “innings eating pticher.”
Considering how much the Blackhawks were forced to lean on their top four defensemen in their last Stanley Cup run, getting a depth guy who can at least survive his shifts could be a nice luxury.