The Chicago Blackhawks have come to terms on a contract extension with winger Artemi Panarin.
Latest Update: The team made the signing official on Thursday morning.
From The Athletic:
Artemi Panarin isn’t going anywhere.
Panarin and the Blackhawks finalized a contract extension on Wednesday, according to a source. The contract details are unknown at this point. The deal is expected to be announced on Thursday morning.
Panarin, 25, has 15 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. His 37 points are the most on the ‘Hawks, two more than Patrick Kane’s 35.
Panarin was reportedly asking for at least $6 million per season on a long-term deal.
Updated: Since news of this extension broke, financial terms and length of the deal have started to filter in. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet is reporting that this new extension is for two years, a bridge deal, with $6 million average annual value.
It also appears there is considerable signing bonus associated with this contract.
A touch more than half of Panarin's $12M over the next two years is in signing bonus. He gets $6M in each of the two years.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 28, 2016
Of Panarin's $6M total income next season, $4.2M is is signing bonus. In second year, signing bonus is $2M.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 28, 2016
Related: It’s a double-edged sword for the ‘Hawks, as Panarin keeps piling up the points