Panarin signs 2-year extension with Blackhawks worth reported $12M

The Chicago Blackhawks officially announced a two-year contract extension with forward Artemi Panarin.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the deal will pay Panarin an annual average salary of $6 million.

The 25-year-old is in the final year of his two-year deal and was set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end. He currently holds a $3.5-million cap hit.

Since joining the league last season, Panarin has quickly become a core piece on the Blackhawks' roster. He captured the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie last season after putting up 30 goals and 77 points in 80 games and has the fourth-most points league-wide since his inception last season.

Early this campaign he is on pace to eclipse last year's totals, having amassed 15 goals and 37 points in 37 games.

The contract could impose some more cap juggling by management, but in the meantime, Stan Bowman and company have secured an important part of their team going forward.