At the beginning of the season, Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman wanted Marcus Kruger, a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, to stay with the team rather than returning to Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League. Bowman likened Kruger to "being in the same mold as Dave Bolland."
Which is something the Blackhawks need right now, given that the actual David Bolland is navigating through post-concussion symptoms. Add that to Patrick Sharp's potentially severe knee injury (and update is coming from the team on that) and Chicago was in a bind at center.
Enter Marcus Kruger. ESPN Chicago reports that Kruger will join the Blackhawks for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, after leading his team in scoring over in Sweden. From The Third Man In, which has a great write-up on the type of player Kruger is:
Kruger's skill and two-way dependability at the center position specifically is what makes Kruger an interesting addition with 10 games left in the regular season. With Dave Bolland sidelined for an indefinite period of time, at least at this point, and the uncertainty in the Patrick Sharp left knee injury (which we'll learn more about today) Kruger would be the equivalent of a deadline acquisition if he can make the transition to the NHL quickly and seamlessly.
Just how this affects the Hawks' cap financially and if it's a move in direct response to the potential severity of Dave Bolland's injury remains to be seen.
From Chicago Now, the financial implications of Kruger's arrival:
Krüger, the Blackhawks 5th round pick (149th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft, signed his 3-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on June 18, 2010. His cap number is $900,000 and his deal is heavy on performance bonuses (possible $310k) this year. Krüger's base salary this season is $590,000 plus a $90,000 signing bonus.
Obviously, with his deal prorated, the Blackhawks should have no issues fitting him under the cap.
So it's Kruger time for the Blackhawks, which is really exciting news (That new player smell! A playmate for Viktor Stalberg and Niklas Hjalmarsson!) or really depressing news (wither Dave Bolland?). Bottom line: It had better be a quick transition for Chicago, which is still in a hell of a fight to even make the playoffs.