The Blackhawks announced Monday morning that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Collin Delia on a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2021-22 campaign and carries a cap hit of $1 million. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent was in the final year of a two-year, $1.85 million deal and was set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
"It's very nice," Delia said. "It's a huge vote of confidence in myself and my ability. Couldn't be happier to do it now. At this time of the year, it feels really good. ... To have an offer of a three-year contract, it's just amazing. I was very happy and we were very pleased. Happy to spend three more years in Chicago."
Delia is 6-2-3 with a 2.98 goals against average and .923 save percentage in 12 appearances this season. He was 7-5-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .933 save percentage in 17 games with the Rockford IceHogs this season before his call-up, coming off a Calder Cup playoff run in which he compiled a 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage in 10 appearances.
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Delia has built a large enough sample size in professional hockey for the Blackhawks to feel comfortable in investing in his services going forward, and at $1 million per year, it’s great value.
"I just think his confidence has really come out," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "I think his first few games in Rockford he didn't have that as much. Probably was in him but he really believes in himself and nothing seems to rattle him, whether it's a tough period or a bad goal or a rough stretch. In that position it's really important. The technical and athletic ability it's there. But I think a lot of guys I have it. It's the extra, how do you survive when things go against you? That's been nice to see."
With Corey Crawford under contract until the 2019-20 season, this essentially gives the Blackhawks a strong duo between the pipes next season for a combined $7 million. Not bad.
"Wow, that's great," Crawford said smiling, genuinely excited about the possibility of sharing the crease together for years to come. "He definitely deserves it. He's been playing really well. That's awesome. It's always a good day when you do something like that, I'm happy for him."
