The Chicago Blackhawks and right wing Roman Kantserov have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Thursday. It has a $1.075 million salary-cap hit and runs through the 2028-29 season.
Kantserov led the Kontinental Hockey League with 36 goals — the first 21-year-old to lead the KHL in goals since Kirill Kaprizov in 2018-19 — and finished the regular season for Metallurg Magnitogorsk with 64 points in 63 games, adding eight points in 15 playoff games.
His goal and point totals were the most in league history for a player under 22. He finishes his KHL career with 117 points (57 goals, 60 assists) in 164 regular-season games.
The Hawks drafted Kantserov in the second round (No. 44) in 2023 — the same class that included Connor Bedard (No. 1), Oliver Moore (No. 19) and Nick Lardis (No. 67).
It wasn’t certain that Kantserov would sign with the Hawks this offseason, potentially staying in Russia for one more season after a heart-breaking playoff exit. But general manager Kyle Davidson and the Hawks now have put any doubts to rest and have a high-scoring winger who will join the team soon.
Kantserov can make plays upon the first touch of the puck, whether it’s a immediate snipe or a quick pass to his linemates. That rapid decision-making will be a glove fit for a Hawks team looking to play faster in coach Jeff Blashill’s second season and searching for consistent wings for Bedard.