Blackhawks Re-Sign Matt Keith, Ink MacDonald

[HordiBrusk29]

General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the team has re-signed right wing Matt Keith and signed center Craig MacDonald to 1-year deals.

Keith, a 6’2”, 200-pound winger, appeared in two games for the Blackhawks during the 2005-06 season. He spent the majority of the 2005-06 season with the Norfolk Admirals appearing in 72 games and totaling 45 points (26 goals, 19 assists) and 61 penalty minutes.

Keith’s 26 goals were a career high (18 in 2004-05). He also tied Nathan Barrett with a team-high six game-winning goals for the Admirals. The winger also moved into third place on the Admirals' all-time goal scoring list with 57 goals.

Keith, 23, was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round (59th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 20 games for Chicago during the 2003-04 season recording five points (two goals, three assists) and 10 penalty minutes.

MacDonald, 29, was originally drafted by the Hartford Whalers (currently the Carolina Hurricanes) in the fourth round (88th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6’1”, 199 lbs. center split the 2005-06 season between the Calgary Flames and the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, the Flames’ AHL affiliate. He appeared in 25 games for the Flames recording five points (three goals, two assists), a +5 rating and eight penalty minutes. MacDonald also skated in one playoff game for the Flames. He appeared in 37 games for Omaha collecting 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists), a +3 rating and 57 penalty minutes.

In 2004-05, MacDonald played for Lowell of the AHL tallying 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) and 104 penalty minutes in 71 games and for Elmira of the UHL recording five points (one goal, four assists) and nine penalty minutes in seven games played.

MacDonald was also a member of the Boston Bruins (2003-04), Florida Panthers (2003-04) and the Carolina Hurricanes (1998-99, 2001-02, 2002-03). In all, MacDonald has appeared in 135 NHL games recording 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) and 61 penalty minutes.

[Thrillhouse]

I thought Craig was a pretty servicable guy for the Flames. Great 4th liner. What this does though is reduce the already slim-to-none shot Low had.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

I thought Craig was a pretty servicable guy for the Flames. Great 4th liner. What this does though is reduce the already slim-to-none shot Low had.

So does that mean McDonald would make the NHL roster before Low would?

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by Jensen

So does that mean McDonald would make the NHL roster before Low would?

Probably. Although the Hawks only have 9 forwards under contract so far including MacDonald. 10 if you want to count Low. So there is still a shot for him to make the team barring more free agent signings and players making the team from the minors or juniors.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Two Minor League signings here.