Marcus Kruger, forward
2014-15 cap hit: $1.33 million | Age: 25 | Season stats: 7 goals, 10 assists, minus-5
Season recap: Kruger was once again the Blackhawks’ premier role player. He led the team’s forwards in penalty-kill ice time and centered the checking line throughout the season. He continued that role into the playoffs and helped contain a number of the league’s top lines. Kruger, Andrew Desjardins and Andrew Shaw were a reliable line for coach Joel Quenneville during the latter stages of the playoffs and contributed a few key goals. Kruger also keyed a penalty kill that allowed one power-play goal in Stanley Cup finals and four goals over the final two series.
Season highlight: Kruger put an end to the longest game in franchise history by scoring a goal at 16:12 of a third overtime and lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Season lowlight: Kruger was on the ice for two Nashville Predators’ 5-on-5 goals in Game 2 of the first round. It was the only playoff game Kruger was on the ice for multiple even-strength goals.
Final grade: B+.
Inside the numbers: Kruger started 453-of-875 faceoffs in the defensive zone and still had a 52.2 Corsi percentage.
Quote: Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman on Kruger: Marcus is another one of those guys that probably doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves because his role is a pivotal role for us, but maybe it doesn’t get all the accolades. He’s really the penalty-killing guy who matches up against top centermen on other teams, faceoffs, all the important details that coaches certainly appreciate. If you talk to Joel and ask him what he thinks of Marcus, he would tell you he’s a big part of why we win.
What’s next: The Blackhawks are expected to re-sign Kruger, who is a restricted free agent. Bowman recently said the negotiations were going well.
