Brent Seabrook, once the target of trade rumours aplenty, is now reportedly nearing a multi-year contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to multiple reports citing an anonymous source, Chicago and Seabrook could come to agreement on a new deal “soon.” Both Tracey Myers of CSNChicago.com and Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reported the development Thursday night.
The 30-year-old Seabrook was named an alternate captain at the onset of training camp Thursday, inheriting the ‘A’ from forward Patrick Sharp, who was traded to Dallas this summer after the Blackhawks won their third Stanley Cup in five years.
Seabrook told reporters he “has had some talks” with general manager Stan Bowman regarding a new contract.
Seabrook’s current contract, which expires on July 1, carries a salary cap hit of $5.8 million. A close friend of defence partner Duncan Keith‘s, Seabrook has played a key role in each of the Blackhawks’ three championships and won a gold medal with Canada at the 2010 Winter Games.
Although still tight to the salary cap (less than $1 million from the ceiling, according to General Fanager), Chicago did free up signing space this summer by parting with Sharp, Johnny Oduya, Brandon Saad and others.
Keith, the team’s best defenceman and the unanimous Conn Smythe winner in 2015, already makes less than Seabrook (Keith carries a $5.538 million cap hit), and it would not be surprising if Seabrook is asking for a deal in the range of, say, Dion Phaneuf’s, which carries a $7 million hit.
