Niklas Hjalmarsson has inked a deal in Italy, becoming the latest member of the Blackhawks to head overseas as the NHL lockout continues.
The 25-year old defenseman agreed to join Serie A club Bolanzo-Bozen Foxes and is expected to arrive on Friday. The addition of Hjalmarsson to the team's roster was "made possible by a strong financial support from private sponsors," according to the team's website.
Hjalmarsson's joining the team two weeks before the start of the Continental Cup--a tournament of national champions, not including the "Super Six" European nations according to the IIHF World Rankings--and will have time to adapt to playing for Bolzano before the Cup campaign opens on Nov. 23.
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In the meantime, the NHL and NHLPA continue negotiations this week with the hope of salvaging at least part of the season. After both sides participated in a nearly seven-hour meeting on Wednesday and continue chats Thursday, it appears that some headway is being made between the two sides. However, both the league and union are keeping there talks quiet until they have a new proposal or something significant to report.