Blackhawks' Jordin Tootoo: Signs extension

Tootoo (illness) signed a one-year extension worth $700,000 on Tuesday, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports.

The veteran forward has rotated in and out of the lineup all season long, going pointless in 36 contests. It would be slightly unfair to say that Tootoo has played poorly this season, as he's filled the role he was expected to play, but it's highly doubtful that the Hawks would have offered him an extension without the summer's expansion draft looming. With Tootoo signed through 2017-18, Chicago will now be able to protect 2013 first-round pick Ryan Hartman, who's scored 15 goals in his debut campaign.