Blackhawks Sign Sharp to Extension

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 4, 2011 4:40PM

The Blackhawks took care of some in-house business and locked up one of their most valuable players yesterday by signing Patrick Sharp to a five-year contract extension.

The terms of the deal, as reported by ESPN's John Buccigross, have Sharp earning $2 million in 2012-13 with a $4 million bonus; $3.5 million in 2013-14 with a $3 million bonus; $4.5 million in 2014-15 with a $2 million bonus; $5.5 million in 2015-16 and $5 million in 2016-17. Sharp also has a modified no-trade clause in his new contract.

Sharp was the Blackhawks' most consistent player last season, leading the team with 34 goals and 12 power play goals and was third on the team in scoring with 71 points. Sharp's contract extension also allows GM Stan Bowman to retain the core of the team, with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson all locked in long-term contracts. But their salaries also make up the majority of the Hawks' team payroll, which explains why Bowman was crafty in his free agent signings to avoid having a serious cap hit.

Sharp and the Blackhawks began negotiating the new contract in July with a goal of having a quick agreement. "(W)hen things are said and done, it might be 10 to 12 years as a Blackhawk,’’ Sharp said. ‘‘To me, that’s a heck of a career. Hopefully it goes longer than that. I definitely consider myself a Blackhawk, and I don’t want to play anywhere else."