NHL Free Agency: Where Brandon Segal Fits with the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks added another body to the training camp mix on Thursday. The announcement that the team had signed former Stars winger Brandon Segal came with just an air of mystery.

The 'Hawks now have 25 players and a maximum of 23 spots on the opening night roster. What impact will this late signing have throughout the organization?

It's easy to read into what could simply be a depth move for Chicago's AHL affiliate in Rockford. Since camp hasn't started yet, let's speculate about this 28-year-old journeyman.

Segal is now joining his sixth different organization since being Nashville's fourth-round pick in 2002. He's a big, physical fourth-line type who is in the mold of the bangers that GM Stan Bowman has brought in to toughen up the roster.

He split the season between the NHL and AHL last season. I would be stunned if Chicago inked him to anything but a two-way deal, though terms have not been disclosed at this time.

When I first got wind of the signing via ESPN.com, my first thought was "Hmmm...good depth move for Rockford." Which is all it may be, assuming the 'Hawks have him signed to a two-way contract.

There is shockingly little veteran presence in Rockford. A host of promising prospects are in danger of getting knocked around in a very physical league.

The Ice Hogs signed Washington defenseman Brian Fahey to a one-year AHL contract earlier in the week to go with forward Brent McLean, who was inked by Chicago to a two-way contract back in July.

Like Fahey, Segal is a guy that knows the AHL loop, having spent the bulk of his eight-year professional career there.

He isn't likely to lead Rockford in scoring like veteran Jeff Taffe did before moving on to Minnesota. However, he did net 26 goals in 69 games with Norfolk in 2008-09 and over a full season can probably be counted on to be a 30 to 40-point guy in the minors.

Like Taffe, Segal has never been a big point producer in the NHL, though he has 10 to 15-point potential.

It's possible that he was signed to be a bigger, younger version of Jamal Mayers. Mayers turns 37 early in the season. Segal may be insurance in the event Mayers doesn't pan out.

With a guy like Rob Klinkhammer capable of part-time duties as a fourth-line banger on the wing, it surprises me a bit that the 'Hawks haven't picked up a little veteran insurance at center, where they seem to need it. Such a move may still be in the cards in the next few days.

Then there's the theory that Segal was signed because Rostislav Olesz or Bryan Bickell have yet to recover from offseason surgeries. That may not hold water, as I'm not sure Segal effectively replaces either of those players.

How Segal's addition effects Klinkhammer, Ben Smith or Jeremy Morin's chances of earning his way on the roster is also not known, though another veteran at camp doesn't make things any easier on the young guys.

If it comes out that Segal's contract is one-way, it lends credence to the notion that he will get an honest chance to compete for a place on the NHL roster. That said, I would not think that to be the case.

Segal's role in the organization seems to be to provide the muscle behind the hustle of a talented young group in Rockford. That could change depending on what unfolds in training camp, but right now it looks enough like an AHL depth move to leave it at that for the time being.

Look for the situation to become more defined as terms of the deal are known.