NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 14: Slater Koekkoek #68 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 14, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Blackhawks 8-5. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Slater Koekkoek has reportedly found a new team, as he’s inked a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
The reported deal was signed this week, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger:
The Blackhawks acquired Koekkoek in a Jan. 2019 deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the Bolts’ fifth round pick in the 2019 draft also coming to Chicago in that transaction. In exchange, the Blackhawks sent defenseman Jan Rutta and a 2019 seven-round pick to the Lightning.
In 64 total games with the Blackhawks over two seasons, Koekkoek had two goals and 13 assists, along with 52 penalty minutes. He registered 68 shots on goal in that time.
Koekkoek became expendable for the Blackhawks as they look to get younger on their blue line, with plenty of young prospects available to potentially compete for spots. Add to that the acquisition of Nikita Zadorov and the improving health of Brent Seabrook, and there are a lot of options for the Blackhawks to choose from on their defense.
