Chicago was 31-42-9 with 71 points, and its 201 goals were second-fewest in the league last season.

Tallon says he's excited to get the chance to continue working toward the team's goal of winning the Stanley Cup. And he says the team is "getting closer" to where it wants to be.

Tallon has led the 'Hawks since June of 2005.

Also today, Chicago signed 22-year-old center Jacob Dowell and 20-year-old defenseman Jean-Claude Sawyer. Dowell played last season for the University of Wisconsin and Norfolk in the American Hockey League, while Sawyer played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.