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CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks were looking to add some depth, especially of the veteran variety, as they entered NHL free agency.

Entering training camp, the Blackhawks are pleased with the progress made on the roster.

On Friday, as Chicago concluded its development camp at Fifth Third Arena, general manager Kyle Davidson expressed his immense enthusiasm for the progress our group has made and the accomplishments we achieved on July 1.

“We have infused our group with a great deal of talent and experience, which has undoubtedly elevated our team. I am truly thrilled with the outcome and optimistic about our prospects as we approach the September training camp.”

The Blackhawks signed eight players on Monday, the first day of free agency. That included forwards Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year, $22 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) and Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year, $16.2 million contract ($5.4 million AAV).

They also signed forwards Pat Maroon to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, Craig Smith to a one-year, $1 million contract and Joey Anderson to a two-year, $1.6 million contract (average annual value $800,000), defensemen Alec Martinez to a one-year, $4 million contract and TJ Brodie to a two-year, $7.5 million contract ($3.75 million AAV), and goalie Laurent Brossoit to a two-year, $6.6 million contract (average annual value $3.3 million).

Last season, the Chicago team concluded with a record of 23 wins, 53 losses, and 6 ties, placing them in eighth position within the Central Division.

The Blackhawks wanted more experience to balance out a roster that has its share of youth, including Connor Bedard, who turns 19 on July 17. The center, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, led Chicago with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last week in Las Vegas.

Both Bertuzzi and Teravainen should be considered for the top two forward lines this season. Bertuzzi, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, recorded an impressive 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 80 games last season. On the other hand, Teravainen, who was part of the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup-winning team in 2015, showcased his skills with 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 76 games for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Davidson stated that there are various possibilities for those guys to play alongside talented players in the top six, whether it’s alongside Connor, on a second line, or wherever Luke (Richardson, Blackhawks coach) decides.

Teuvo has had the opportunity to play alongside talented teammates in Carolina, while Tyler has demonstrated his ability to effectively complement highly skilled players. This provides the coaches with a lot of flexibility in utilizing their talents. However, their primary appeal lies in their capability to handle significant ice time in offensive positions within the top-six lineup.

Bertuzzi, who spoke to the media Friday, said Chicago wasn’t initially on his radar when free agency began. That changed when he got a call from Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno, a fellow native of Sudbury, Ontario, and his teammate when the two were with the Boston Bruins in 2022-23.

Bertuzzi expressed, “He mentioned that they have some interest, albeit a little bit. It got me really excited, and from that point, things progressed.” He further stated his optimism regarding Chicago’s other signings in free agency.

“I believe I was the first one to witness additional signings, which was both fascinating and gratifying,” he expressed. “There are many experienced players in the League, including a few Stanley Cup winners. It’s a fantastic step towards progress and moving in the right direction. I eagerly anticipate meeting everyone, and I’m certain they share the same level of excitement.”

Davidson said he expects all Blackhawks players under contract to be healthy entering training camp. He also said he should know in the next week or so whether defenseman Artyom Levshunov, Chicago’s No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, will return to Michigan State or turn pro.

During free agency, the Blackhawks focused on strengthening their roster depth. This was crucial as they heavily relied on inexperienced players last season, particularly due to numerous injuries resulting in 351 man games lost. As a result, they now possess a valuable group of seasoned veterans. Although it may be challenging to transform this into immediate success, Chicago is expected to witness significant improvement this season.

Davidson expressed the desire for improvement, stating, “Our aim is to enhance our performance. We aspire to dominate games rather than merely defending or allowing teams to overpower us.”

Our goal is to increase our puck possession, exert more control over the game, and ultimately secure more victories. I firmly believe that we need to assert ourselves more in the game, something we haven’t been doing as effectively in the past two years.