Chicago Blackhawks made some big moves today with beloved players just as the NHL Draft begins with defensive force Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Coyotes for defensemen Connor Murphy and center Laurent Dauphin while Artemi Panarin was sent to the Bluejackets to bring back Brendon Saad. Oh you thought the Hawks lost enough? Yesterday Expansion Draft for the Vegas Golden Knights, Trevor Van Riemsdyk was drafted off the Hawks. Yeah, those are some big moves. The Sun Times cover the fan madness over the trades with the headline that phrased it as “people are freaking out.”
These moves might have been expected following the Hawks first round exit from this past season’s playoffs. The moves are significant as both players exiting the team have been longtime contributors to the Hawk’s Stanley Cup Championship seasons on both sides of the puck.
Hjalmarsson leaving is a blow to longtime Hawks fans as he’s been a critical piece of the Hawks success over the years. “Niklas’ contributions to the three Stanley Cup championship teams are well known but his dependability as a teammate, selfless attitude and the way he represented the Chicago Blackhawks on and off the ice are what made him such a beloved member of the organization,” said Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. “He made his debut in Chicago in 2008 and quietly established himself as one of the toughest competitors in franchise history. We wish he and his family continued success.”
Saad returns to Chicago, who also acquire goaltender Anton Forsberg, in exchange for Panarin and Tyler Motte. Saad has been missed since his last tenure with Hawks with whom he won the 2010 and 2013 Stanley Cup titles, as he was a fitting line mate for team star Johnathan Toews. As noted by CSN Chicago, the Hawks lose in this deal the “dynamite chemistry” of Patrick Kane and Panarin. Panarin himself showed his awesome talent by winning the Calder Trophey as the top rookie in the NHL during his debut season.
Factor in ‘the Demigod’ Marian Hossa sitting out all of the next season due to a serious skin allergy, complications with treatment, and debate as to whether the 38 year 1000 point plus player will ever lace up his skates again. Oh and it’s the draft weekend in Chicago with a new team being added to the league causing a lot of other noteworthy moves around the league. Did you get all that?
