Moore signs 5-year, $21.25 million contract with Blackhawks
21-year-old forward could have been restricted free agent, scored 1st NHL goal last season
By NHL.com
Oliver Moore signed a five-year, $21.25 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. It begins next season and has an average annual value of $4.25 million.
The 21-year-old forward is in the final season of a three-year, $2.85 million entry-level contract ($950,000 AAV) he signed March 29, 2025, and could have become a restricted free agent July 1, 2027. He had 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 51 NHL games last season and nine points (six goals, three assists) in nine games for Rockford of the American Hockey League.
He has 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 60 games for the Blackhawks.
"I wasn't really having a deadline for it, I'd say," Moore said. "It was just kind of seeing where it went. Coming into (training) camp, it was talking about it over the summer a little bit, then it started to pick up a little bit, and here we are. I'm very fortunate. Grateful for the (owner Danny) Wirtz family, the management group here, (general manager) Kyle (Davidson), everyone who helped get the deal done as well.
"Last year, it was Rockford or here. For me, to sign this deal and have that security is huge. With that comes responsibility, obviously. I'm well aware of that. I've only played 60 games, but for them to put that trust in me and know that I'm going to help this team take us where we want to go, it's huge."
Moore scored his first NHL goal in a 5-1 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 9, 2025, his 13th game with the Blackhawks.
Chicago selected Moore in the first round (No. 19) in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he signed his entry-level contract after he had 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 38 games as a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. He was named to the 2024 Big Ten All-Rookie Team following his freshman season and helped the United States win back-to-back gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"I was excited for him and for us," Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. "Obviously it gives him the understanding, the feeling of how important he is to this group.
"Oliver brings a lot. We believe in him as a player. We believe in what he's going to continue to build as a player, but we also know he's a huge part of our locker room. He's a guy who wants to be great. We want to win with great character and great talent, and he's got both of those things.
The Blackhawks play their regular-season opener at the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS2).
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
