The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded defenseman Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 5th round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Jan Rutta and a 2019 7th round pick.
The 24-year old Koekkoek was drafted 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2012 draft by the Lightning. He carries a $865,000 salary cap hit.
The 28-year old Rutta was undrafted. He carries a $2.3 million salary cap hit.
Some thoughts from the media
Scott Powers: “Seems like another positive trade for the Blackhawks. They moved up a couple draft rounds & can either re-sign Koekkoek or let him walk after the season as a RFA. The Blackhawks were eating some of Rutta’s contract in Rockford, but the cap space doesn’t matter this year.”
Will Scouch: “Upgrading from Koekkoek to Rutta and not losing much in the way of draft value is not a bad move. Minor, but it’s one that could add up for a playoff run.”
Matt Larkin: “Koekkoek. Strome. Murphy. Perlini. Blackhawks cornering the market on 2011-15 first rounders who didn’t realize potential”
Koekkoek + 5th for Rutta +7th.
Rutta may have been CHI’s most effective defenseman so far this year. Koekkoek’s been TBL’s worst. That’s really neat.https://t.co/pI8q5Knprg pic.twitter.com/zvir5w6kKM
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) January 11, 2019
Point rates. pic.twitter.com/bMaQuvlCUK
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) January 12, 2019
Rutta a little into dull, Koekkoek clearly in bad in his limited sample. pic.twitter.com/AMomX0mq5b
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) January 12, 2019
Slater Koekkoek
Jan Rutta