NHL Trade: Blackhawks Trade Panarin To Blue Jackets In Deal For Saad
Chicago Blackhawks trade Artemi Panarin to Columbus Blue Jackets in deal for Brandon Saad

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Artemi Panarin, Tyler Motte and a 2017 6th round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg and a 2018 5th round pick

Thoughts from the media …

Scott Powers: Bowman on Panarin-Saad trade: “We thank Artemi for the immediate impact he made on our lineup during his seamless transition to the NHL”

Mark Lazerus: “Imagine how much money Artemi Panarin is going to want in two years. Brandon Saad signed at $6M through 2021. And he’ll be 28.”

Pierre LeBrun: “Blackhawks wanted some cost certainty moving forward. Didn’t think they could re-sign Panarin or Hjalmarsson in 2 yrs. (con’t)”

Pierre LeBrun: “More value in a trade now with 2 yrs left than waiting a year from now… Saad and Murphy come with term on their deals, important to Hawks”

Aaron Portzline: “Wonder if acquisition of Panarin is, in any way, a sweetener for Ilya Kovalchuk, who’s been discussed by . The two were teammates in KHL”

Dan Rosen: “My theory on reported Saad-Panarin trade is Chicago has to replace what Hossa did and Saad is capable of it. But they lose a big piece too.” …. Carolyn Wilke: “This actually makes the most sense. Saad far better defensively, but also those 20 extra points of Panarin’s were kind of key”

Corey Lavalette: “I’m always curious to see how players like Panarin do in a new place. Came out of nowhere, but played a ton with Kane. That helps.”

Mark Lazerus: “I don’t love the Hjalmarsson deal at all, unless there’s more to it that we don’t know yet. But the Saad trade is a home run, in my mind.”

Adrian Dater: “Panarin has elite skill. Took a bridge deal. He’s young. Don’t get this one at all. Possible 100-point guy”

Mark Lazerus: “Jonathan Toews hasn’t been the same without Brandon Saad. Patrick Kane can still be highly productive without Artemi Panarin.”

Mark Lazerus: “Saad and Panarin have the same cap hit ($6M) but Saad is younger and signed through 2021.”

Brian Hedge: “Kane had two seasons with Panarin and they lit up the reg season. Toews had three seasons w/Saad & won the Cup twice.”

Ryan Kennedy: “oaltending is a weakness in Chicago pipeline, so Anton Forsberg is a very nice add here”

David Alter: “Panarin took a bridge deal to help with Chicago’s cap issues. Can’t imagine he’d be thrilled about this.”