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What Madison Bowey signing means for Blackhawks

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The Blackhawks have agreed to terms with defenseman Madison Bowey on a two-year contract that runs through the 2021-22 season, the team announced Thursday. His cap hit is $725,000.

The first year of his contract is a two-way deal ($700,000 NHL and $200,000 AHL) and the second year transitions to a one-way deal ($750,000).

Bowey, 25, is coming off a season in which he recorded a career-high 14 assists and 17 points in 53 games for the Detroit Red Wings. He was also a member of the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, where he posted 12 points (all assists) in 51 games.

Bowey was immediately placed on waivers by the Blackhawks, who will likely send him to the taxi squad or Rockford IceHogs if/when he clears and serve as an insurance policy and depth option with Nick Seeler no longer in the mix after his contract was terminated because he did not report to his AHL assignment.

Bowey, who was originally drafted by the Capitals in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, is a right-handed shot defenseman, too, which the Blackhawks are lacking right now with the absences of Adam Boqvist (COVID-19 protocol) and Brent Seabrook (back injury).

By playing in one more NHL game, Bowey would also meet the expansion draft criteria for the Blackhawks. As of Thursday, Connor Murphy is the only one who can be exposed, according to Cap Friendly. Duncan Keith and Seabrook have a no-movement clause and Calvin de Haan and Nikita Zadorov have not yet met the exposure requirement.

Bowey, at the very least, will stabilize Rockford's defensive depth and is the type of player who can give you a spot start at the NHL level when needed.

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