Chicago D says reports untrue
Chicago Blackhawks veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook refuted a report that the team approached him about removing a no-movement clause from his contract.
Speaking to reporters after practice Monday, the 33-year-old defenseman said: “I haven’t been approached by anyone. I don’t know where the reports are coming from.”
TSN reported Saturday that Seabrook was asked to waive his notrade clause so the Blackhawks could trade him before the Feb. 25 deadline and that Seabrook denied the request because he wanted to remain with Chicago.
Seabrook signed an eight-year contract after the 2014-15 season with the clause that eliminates the option to trade him or demote him to the minors without his consent. His contract carries a $6,875,000 salary-cap hit.
Capitals
Washington has signed backup goaltender Pheonix Copley to a $3.3 million, three-year extension. Copley will count $1.1 million against the salary cap in each of the next three seasons. General manager Brian MacLellan announced the contract Monday.
Signing Copley through the 2021-22 season raises questions about the defending Stanley Cup champion’s goaltending plans. Starter Braden Holtby is only signed through the end of next season, and Washington has top goaltending prospects Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek in the system. Copley, 27 and a native of North Pole, Alaska, has exceeded expectations in his first season as a full-time NHL backup, going 10-5-3 with a 2.98 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.