Blackhawks' Marcus Kruger on contract stalemate: 'I'm not too worried about it'
Still waiting for a new deal from the Stanley Cup champs, Chicago Blackhawks restricted free agent center Marcus Kruger is rolling with the punches.
The invaluable utility part, enjoying a second weekend with the Stanley Cup earned in his tenure with the Blackhawks, said Tuesday he's relatively unbothered by his current state of limbo.
"I want to have it done. I think that's for everyone. But I don't feel too stressed out about it, yet at least. We have another month until training camp," Kruger told ESPN's Scott Powers.
"I love playing hockey. I know I'm going to do that. We will see what happens, but I'm not too worried about it."
Though he prefers long-term security, Kruger is open to accepting a short-term deal to fit into the Blackhawks' complex salary structure.
"We've discussed a lot of different options there," he said. "Whatever happens, it's going to be good for me and them."
Chicago has a little more than $200,000 in available cap space, according to generalfanager.com, meaning any deal with Kruger will require a reactive measure.