NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks announced on Tuesday afternoon that the club has signed forward prospect Antti Saarela to a two-year, entry-level contract. Saarela, 21, was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the fourth round (No. 123 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Saarela’s two-year deal begins next season and carries a $896,250 cap hit. He could report to Rockford on a PTO deal for the remainder the season, however. The left-handed shooting forward is listed at 5-11 and 183 pounds and has been playing in Finland with Lukko. He had 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 41 games this season.
His brother, Aleksi, was part of the Blackhawks organization for roughly four months in 2019. He was acquired from Carolina in the trade that brought Calvin de Haan to Chicago in late June of 2019 and was then traded to Florida for Ian McCoshen in October of the same year.
