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 #CBJ. 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.”