Joakim Nordstrom, forward
2014-15 cap hit: $750,000 | Age: 23 | Season stats: 0 goals, 3 assists, minus-5
Season recap: Nordstrom got his feet wet in the NHL two seasons ago as a rookie and was given more of an opportunity this past season. He played in a career-high 38 regular-season games and also played in three playoff games. He had nine goals and seven assists in 23 games for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. He was also named the IceHogs’ captain this season.
Season highlight: Nordstrom played a career-high 19:51 in the Blackhawks’ double-overtime win over the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Season lowlight: Nordstrom was suspended two games for boarding the Arizona Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson in March.
Final grade: C.
Inside the numbers: Nordstrom had an 18.8 shooting percentage in the AHL this season.
Quote: Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on Nordstrom: “I think he adds something to our lineup with his speed, quickness, physicality. He adds an element to our team we don’t have a lot of. Offensively, the production may not be there, but he kills penalties for us, blocks shots, can take faceoffs. We like the pace he adds to our team.”
What’s next: Nordstrom is a restricted free agent, and the Blackhawks have placed a qualifying offer on him. He could win an NHL job out of training camp next season.
