After acquiring Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres, the Chicago Blackhawks are bringing in another left-shot defenseman.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Blackhawks are signing defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year, $4 million contract. Cole’s new deal with Chicago also comes with $750,000 of potential bonuses, per LeBrun.
Cole will now serve as a veteran defenseman for the Blackhawks as they look to be more competitive next season. In 82 games during this past season with the Utah Mammoth, he posted three goals, 20 assists, 23 points, 73 hits, and 151 blocks.
Where Cole Should Fit in the Blackhawks’ Lineup
When looking at the Blackhawks’ current roster, it is understandable as to why they have brought in Cole on this one-year deal. They needed a veteran defenseman to help mentor their younger players, and signing Cole has now provided them with just that.
Cole will likely slot in on the Blackhawks’ bottom pairing after getting signed by the Original Six club. However, he could jump up to their second pairing if needed, as he is still a solid defenseman who plays a steady game and is not afraid to throw the body.
Cole will also provide the Blackhawks with another clear option for their penalty kill because of his strong defensive play. He is not an easy defenseman for opponents to deal with because of how hard he plays, so this should only help his chances of being used often on the Blackhawks’ penalty kill.
Blackhawks Needed More Veterans After Multiple Trades Last Season
The Blackhawks traded away multiple of their veteran leaders during this past season. Nick Foligno was the most notable veteran player whom the Blackhawks traded, as he was their captain. However, the Blackhawks also moved on from Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy, so it was clear that they needed to bring some veterans this summer to replace them. Now, they have started that by signing Cole.
Cole will now provide the Blackhawks with another very experienced player as they look to take that next step during the 2026-27 season. It would not be surprising if he ends up being one of the Blackhawks’ leaders next season. This is especially so when noting that he has won the Stanley Cup twice during his career.
Cole Is Not the Only Player Who the Blackhawks Have Signed In Free Agency
Cole is not the only player who the Blackhawks have added to their roster through free agency this summer. According to Frank Seravalli, the Blackhawks have also signed forward Cole Smith to a three-year, $9 million contract.
Smith split this past season between the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights, where he recorded eight goals, four assists, 12 points, and 173 points. While he does not provide a lot of offense, he provides value because of his solid defensive play and grit. Due to this, he has the potential to be a good addition to the Blackhawks’ bottom six.
Ultimately, the Blackhawks bringing in Cole and Smith may not be major splashes, but they have added some experience and depth to their roster. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact each player can make from here.
Chicago Blackhawks Sign 16-Year NHL Veteran Defenseman