Free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya won’t re-sign with Blackhawks

Free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya will not re-sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya will not re-sign with the Chicago Blackhawks, his agent confirmed to the Chicago Tribune. 

Oduya, who will be 34 at the start of next season, was acquired midway through the 2011–12 season in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets and spent the next three seasons in Chicago. He played in all 48 of Chicago’s games in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season and missed just 11 games in the last two seasons.

Oduya averaged 20:17 in ice time last season, skating with Niklas Hjalmarsson on Chicago’s second defensive pairing. He had two goals and eight assists.

The Blackhawks acquired defenseman Trevor Daley on Friday in trade with the Dallas Stars that sent Patrick Sharp to Texas. 

Oduya is expected to announce a deal with a new team some time Tuesday. 

- Dan Gartland