Not long after Brad Richards signed a one-year deal with the Red Wings, another former Blackhawks center officially moved on from Chicago.
Antoine Vermette inked a two-year deal worth $7.5 million to return to the Arizona Coyotes, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
The 32-year-old forward was acquired from the Coyotes in February for prospect Klas Dahlbeck and this year's first-round pick and helped the Blackhawks claim their third Stanley Cup since 2010 by scoring three game-winning goals in the final two rounds of the postseason.
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Due to cap restraints, it's no secret the Blackhawks are looking to shed salary rather than take on a rich contract. It always seemed like a long shot for them to bring back Vermette, who simply exceeded their price range.
Vermette was in the final year of a five-year contract, which carried a similar $3.75 million cap hit.