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Kruger hopes for multi-year deal, waiting for ‘Hawks to address cap

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Five

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 13: Marcus Kruger #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks in action against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Five of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

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The Chicago Blackhawks have already traded Brandon Saad and watched unrestricted free agents Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette walk due to the realities of their salary cap situation, but they aren’t completely out of the woods yet.

They’re still above the cap, per General Fanager, and that’s before re-signing Marcus Kruger or UFA Johnny Oduya. The defenseman has been patiently waiting to see if Chicago can clear the cap space necessary to retain him.

Kruger is in a similar boat. His agent, J.P. Barry, told CSN Chicago that he’s “trying to see if a multi-year contract is possible,” but they might have to wait until Chicago finds a solution to its cap issues before such a deal can be signed.

The upside is that Kruger is a restricted free agent and he decided against filing for salary arbitration, so his situation isn’t urgent, but it needs to be addressed eventually. A team is allowed to exceed the cap by 10% during the summer, but Chicago has to get its house in order before the start of the regular season.

Just keep in mind that the Blackhawks didn’t make the Nick Leddy trade last year until October, so a resolution might not be imminent.

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