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Niklas Hjalmarsson | Defenseman

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Age / DOB:  (25) / 6/6/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 207
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson has always been thought of a defensive-minded blue liner, but he has become more of a two-way threat this season.
The transformation might not be noticeable in his stat line as his total of 10 points in 44 games is not drastically different from the pace he set in past seasons, but he has been joining the rush more extensively and has generating more scoring chances. "The way I've played so far this season is my best hockey since I got here," said Hjalmarsson. "I'm more comfortable with the puck and making more plays," he said. "There's not much difference in the D-zone — I've been pretty solid in there the past couple of years — but I've been trying to do more things in the neutral zone and the offensive zone. Even though I don't put up big numbers, I've been trying to be more offensive." Apr 21 - 10:36 AM

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Date:

A late goal by Anaheim defenseman Sheldon Souray gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 2-1 loss and a great deal of frustration Friday night.

"We didn't play good defense at all," Chicago defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "I don't think we got pucks deep the way we wanted. And a little too many odd-man rushes. The way we played defense wasn't good enough." The Hawks fell to 25-5-3 on the season and 0-2-1 against the Ducks.
Mar 30 - 10:48 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson is leading the Chicago Blackhawks with 49 blocked shots.

The Hawks have three players in the top 21 in blocked shots in the NHL as Hjalmarsson is tied for fourth while Brent Seabrook is tied for eighth, one behind Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya is tied for 21st with 38. The play of the defense has been a major reason why Chicago is unbeaten in 19 straight regulation games and blocked shots by the blueliners really have helped the Blackhawks keep the shots on goal to a minimum.
Source: CSN Chicago
Feb 26 - 6:08 AM

The Chicago Blackhawks are second in the NHL at killing penalties.

The Blackhawks were terrible last season on the penalty kill as they were 27th, but the turnaround this season has been amazing as they have given up only one goal in 23 chances. Niklas Hjalmarsson leads the team in shorthanded minutes at 20:17 in six games. The special teams are a big reason the Blackhawks are 6-0 in the early going.
Source: CSN Chicago
Jan 29 - 7:05 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson has agreed to play with HC Bolzano in Italy.

He is slated to join the team on Friday. According to the team's website "his commitment is made possible by a strong financial support from private sponsors." Bolzano has the most championships in Serie A history with 18, so he's joining a strong organization.
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 01:48:00 PM

The Blackhawks are "actively shopping" defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Hjalmarsson, a 25-year-old stay-at-home defenseman, has two more years left on his contract that calls for a $3.5 million cap hit, but he could draw decent interest for teams looking for a defensive-minded blueliner and good shot-blocker. The re-signing of Johnny Oduya and growth of Nick Leddy has made Hjalmarsson more expendable as the team seeks to free up some cap space in order to possibly make a bigger splash this offseason. Chicago is also said to be willing to move veteran rearguard Steve Montador as well.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 11:07:00 PM

Look for Niklas Hjalmarsson to skate with Brent Seabrook on the Hawks' number one defensive pairing.

He will take the place of the suspended Duncan Keith and team with Seabrook on the team's number one shutdown unit. Although this is a great opportunity for Hjalmarsson, we are not sure it is a great thing for his plus/minus rating.
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 10:32:00 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson is seeing the positive in his upper body injury.

Hjalmarsson has missed five weeks of action, save for four games and says that he will be fresh for the playoffs. "I've missed a lot of games lately, so my body feels good," Hjalmarsson said. "I'm really pumped. I have a lot of energy. Hopefully I can play my best hockey here the last 10 games. These are the most fun games to play in," Hjalmarsson added. "It's getting close to the season being over (and) every single game now is huge. This time I'm back for good, I hope." He has a goal and 12 points this season.
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 07:42:00 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body) will be available for Friday's game.

Hjalmarsson returned from a concussion on March 9th but only lasted three games before sustaining an upper body injury. He wouldn't go into detail about what his latest injury was, but he did say that it was different from the concussion. "I feel good," he said. "I'm back playing. I'll just take it from there. It's been a little frustrating, playing a couple games then having to step off. This time, I'm back for good I hope."
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 03:53:00 PM

Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body) is questionable for Friday's game.

Hjalmarsson suffered the injury on Tuesday and coach Joel Quenneville said that it is not related to his concussion woes last month. He did not practice on Thursday but was with the team as they traveled to Dallas.
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 05:40:00 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson suffered an upper body injury during Tuesday's game.

Hjalmarsson exited the contest in the second period. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but Chicago is expected to evaluate him on Wednesday.
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 10:05:00 AM

Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion) will return to the Blackhawks' lineup on Friday.

Hjalmarsson hasn't played since Feb. 23. He has a goal and 12 points this season.
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 12:56:00 PM

Niklas Hjalmarsson, who is believed to be dealing with a concussion, might suit up on Friday.

Coach Joel Quenneville said the Blackhawks are hopeful of Hjalmarsson's return. The defenseman has missed 13 of the team's last 14 games and six straight with the injury.
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 02:43:00 PM

Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion) will not be able to return on Tuesday.

It will be the fifth straight contest that Hjalmarsson has missed. "He's getting real close," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We have three extra days going into Friday (vs. the Rangers)."
Mon, Mar 5, 2012 05:28:00 PM

Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion) will not return on Sunday.

Chicago was hoping that Hjalmarsson would be able to play before the end of their current road trip. Given that he won't play on Sunday, that just leaves Tuesday's game in St. Louis. That still is a possibility, but nothing is set in stone.
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 03:56:00 PM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Jonathan Toews
2Dave Bolland
3Marcus Kruger
4Michal Handzus
5Brandon Bollig
6Brandon Pirri
7Drew LeBlanc
LW1Brandon Saad
2Patrick Sharp
3Bryan Bickell
4Andrew Shaw
5Viktor Stalberg
6Daniel Carcillo
RW1Marian Hossa
2Patrick Kane
3Michael Frolik
4Jamal Mayers
5Jimmy Hayes
6Ben Smith
7Jeremy Morin
D1Duncan Keith
2Brent Seabrook
3Nick Leddy
4Niklas Hjalmarsson
5Johnny Oduya
6Sheldon Brookbank
7Michal Rozsival
8Ryan Stanton
9Adam Clendening
10Shawn Lalonde
G1Corey Crawford
2Ray Emery
3Carter Hutton
4Henrik Karlsson