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Chicago Blackhawks Trade Hjalmarsson, Panarin on Draft Day

By Shepard Price

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) is congratulated by defenseman Duncan Keith (2) left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and left wing Richard Panik (14) after scoring the game tying goal against the St. Louis Blues (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) is congratulated by defenseman Duncan Keith (2) left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and left wing Richard Panik (14) after scoring the game tying goal against the St. Louis Blues (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Apr 17, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left winger Artemi Panarin (72) reacts after a goal during the third period against the Nashville Predators in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Artemi Panarin to Columbus

The Chicago Blackhawks just moments after trading Niklas Hjalmarsson traded forward Artemi Panarin to Columbus. Again, it was in exchange mostly for Brandon Saad.

Saad has experience with the Blackhawks – winning the most recent two Blackhawks Cups in Chicago.

This is a fantastic deal for Chicago. A few days after losing Marian Hossa for the year, the Blackhawks brought back a player who is very reminiscent of the demigod.

chicago blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Brandon Saad (20) carries the puck (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) /

Brandon Saad also elevates Jonathan Toews‘s game.

The last two years Brandon Saad was in Chicago (2013-14, 14-15) Toews had 68 and 66 points, posting 28 goals each time.

Toews and Saad were also an effective playoff threat – in the 2015 cup run, Toews had 21 points, Saad had 11, including 8 goals.

To wake Toews up like that, the Blackhawks should have been willing to pay anything. And they did.

Panarin is an effective left winger, explosive and offensive. The Columbus Blue Jackets got a great player to put on their left side, a player who’s better offensively than Saad.

But Panarin simply could not show up to the playoffs for the Blackhawks. Saad could, Saad did, Saad won two Cups.

And Saad is a year younger, has two more years under contract than Panarin, and will not be due for the same amount of pay raise.

The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets also exchanged other players. The Blackhawks got a fifth round pick and Anton Forsberg, who could be the backup goaltender for the Hawks next year.

The Blue Jackets got forward Tyler Motte, who couldn’t stay in the NHL with the Blackhawks, and a sixth rounder.

In the End

I’m not going to say the Chicago Blackhawks made out like bandits because I have a lot of affection for Niklas Hjalmarsson and Artemi Panarin.

But the Chicago Blackhawks also didn’t make trade mistakes. They didn’t lose the trades, at least not by much, and in fact got younger when they needed to.

The Penguins and Predators both showed how the NHL is going – younger and faster and more scoring.

Next: Latest Trade: Jordan Eberle and Ryan Strome Switch Teams

The Blackhawks, in these trades, responded to that. Jonathan Toews got better. The Chicago Blackhawks filled the void left by Marian Hossa.

They also got a young defenseman, a backup goaltender, and a great defensive prospect when they had none.

Great job, Stan Bowman.

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