NHL teams
Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Blackhawks extend three players

NHL, Chicago Blackhawks

PHILADELPHIA -- The Chicago Blackhawks announced Friday they have re-signed forwards Ben Smith and Jeremy Morin along with goaltender Antti Raanta to two-year contract extensions.

All three players were set to become restricted free agents on July 1.

Smith's extension is worth $1.5 million on average per year, while Raanta's is $750,000 on average per year, a source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.

The 25-year-old Smith, a 2008 sixth-round draft pick by the Blackhawks, played his first full season in the NHL this past season. He had 14 goals, 12 assists and was a plus-3 in 75 regular-season games.

He helped solidify the Blackhawks' fourth line, and his versatility was also used in a number of other roles, including at second-line center in the playoffs.

Raanta, also 25, originally signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks prior to last season after starring in Finland's Liiga. He had a 13-5-4 record with a 2.71 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in 25 games for the Blackhawks during the 2013-14 season.

He is expected to again back up Blackhawks No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford next season.

Morin, 23, had 11 points in 24 games with the Blackhawks this season.

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