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A blockbuster trade is reportedly underway that would shake the entire NHL
Photo credit: Los Angeles Times
An NHL reporter is suggesting that the Blackhawks could look into bringing back star forward and former fan favorite Artemi Panarin back to Chicago, where he began his NHL career.
It was another difficult year for the Chicago Blackhawks, who missed the playoffs yet again and even fired coach Luke Richardson in early November, replacing him with Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorenson.
Sorenson remains with the team as an assistant under new head coach Jeff Blashill, who previously coached the Detroit Red Wings and was an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While former 1st overall pick Connor Bedard made no secret over the fact that he's tired of the constant losing, what if Chicago were to consider bringing back a superstar that began his career in Chicago to play alongside the new face of the team in Bedard?
Per David Pagnotta, the Blackhawks should entertain the thought of bringing back Artemi Panarin, who is now with the New York Rangers and has only 1 year left on his contract.
Panarin's NHL career started in Chicago with the Blackhawks, and while that happened toward the end of their dynastic run, wouldn't it be fun to see him rejoin Chicago as it gears up to try to return with Connor Bedard?
Chicago tried to speed up the process to get back to the playoffs last summer by surrounding Bedard and other young prospects with veteran players and out of all of them, only Ryan Donato seemed to really work out well. He wound up being their only 30-goal scorer while three other Chicago players had 20-or-more. In short, they need offense badly and Panarin would help address that.
Chicago tried to speed up the process to get back to the playoffs last summer by surrounding Bedard and other young prospects with veteran players and out of all of them, only Ryan Donato seemed to really work out well. He wound up being their only 30-goal scorer while three other Chicago players had 20-or-more. In short, they need offense badly and Panarin would help address that.
Panarin started his career with the Blackhawks in 2015 and was an immediate star, but fans everywhere were shocked and angered when they traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017 in exchange for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg, and a 5th round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Saad's 2nd tenure in Chicago was a complete flop, while Panarin continued to elevate his game into one of the top players in hockey.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 1 | 488 ANSWERS A blockbuster trade is reportedly underway that would shake the entire NHL Would you like to see a return of Artemi Panarin to the Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 315 | 64.5 % |
| No | 173 | 35.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
