Blackhawks' Smith hits his target with Klemm.(Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO _ Jon Klemm, a defenseman who has just played on his second Stanley Cup championship winner in Colorado, is coming to Chicago to try to help the Blackhawks end their four-year playoff famine.

"He's a character player, and players like that who have played on teams like that come with a winning attitude," said general manager Mike Smith, who signed the 31-year-old unrestricted free agent Sunday.

Smith wouldn't disclose the cost of Klemm's services but said "it's a lot higher" than the $900,000 he earned last season. A source with another NHL team said Klemm was seeking $2.2 million per year.

"A general manager told me Friday that 14 teams were going to make an offer," Smith continued. "He was one of the players we were targeting in the free-agent market. He's not in Rob Blake's (price range) category, but we knew we were going to have to spend some money.

"He's a guy who has been playing 20 minutes a game for the team that won the Stanley Cup and had the best record in the league. He's a physical player, and that's one of the things we were lacking."

Colorado signed three of its superstars_center Joe Sakic, goaltender Patrick Roy and defenseman Blake_to multiyear contracts, which didn't leave enough cash to sign Klemm.

"I'm looking forward to coming to Chicago," said Klemm, who had spent his entire NHL career with the Colorado franchise, starting in 1991-92 when it was based in Quebec. "I have won before and I can bring that experience and attitude into the locker room."