Report: Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya to explore free agency

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya will reportedly explore free agency.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya will explore free agency, reports ESPN.com. 

According to the report, Oduya does not plan to wait to see whether or not the Blackhawks are able to re-sign him. Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said Saturday that the team is not yet at the point where it knows what it would be capable of offering Oduya. 

ESPN reports that Oduya has already been contacted by several teams. The 33-year-old finished out a three-year, $10.125 million deal this season while helping the Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup in six years. 

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Oduya played in 76 games this season and averaged 20:17 minutes on the ice per game, totaling 10 points and a plus/minus mark of five. He has been with Chicago since being traded there by the Winnipeg Jets in February 2012. 

NHL free agency begins on Wednesday.

- Molly Geary