RUMOR: Hawks are reportedly trying to re-sign one key player.

The Athletic’s Scott Powers has reported that the Chicago Blackhawks are currently in negotiations to extend defenseman Michal Kempny’s contract past this season.

The 26 year-old NHL rookie had already established a career for himself in Europe playing in both the KHL and the Czecha Extraliga before jumping the pond to join the Blackhawks this season. It was speculated that he may be interested in returning to either league this offseason, but that appears to not be the case with news of his potential extension in the Windy City.

In 50 games with this Hawks this season Kempny has managed 2 goals and 22 points to go along with his 22 penalty minutes. If Kempny does in fact re-sign with the Hawks he’ll likely be given a slight raise on his bargain basement deal of $700,000 annually and be given consideration for the team’s top six defence corps next season. Veterans Johnny Oduya and Brian Campbell will almost certainly not be in the team’s plans for next season, leaving the door wide open for Kempny to finally nail down a full-time spot as a legitimate NHL blue liner