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Trade completed between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets: It's now deemed Chicago's worst
Photo credit: Jeff Vinnick via Imagn Images
The 2017 trade between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks involving Artemi Panarin has been named Chicago's worst trade in recent memory.
There have been multiple questionable trades throughout the history of the Chicago Blackhawks that fans look back on and cringe at, which include the trade of captain Chris Chelios to the divisional foe Detroit Red Wings in 1999.
But there is one trade that stands out above the rest that still has lasting ramifications to this day.
The Blackhawks re-acquired Brandon Saad, who helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015, from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017 and they sent Russian star forward Artemi Panarin back to Columbus in return.
Per analyst Scott Powers, it's the worst trade in recent Hawks history.
The Blackhawks' Stanley Cup window arguably closed with this trade. There was no real reason to trade Saad; general manager Stan Bowman just blinked first. Sure, they were tight for cap space, but Saad had no leverage without arbitration rights. He could have sat out without a deal, but he was a young player on a veteran team and would have likely caved. Saad's departure had a greater impact on the Blackhawks than expected, and they never fully recovered.
Saad never recaptured the play that he had in his earlier Blackhawks tenure, and Panarin went on to star with the Blue Jackets and now the Rangers.
Both Brandon Saad And Artemi Panarin Are Still Active In The NHL
Saad has played for multiple teams since his return to the Blackhawks, including the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, and now the Vegas Golden Knights.
Panarin, after his two years in Columbus, signed a seven-year contract with the New York Rangers in 2019.
Right now, Panarin is in the last year of his current contract, and it's anyone's guess as to what he'll do next.
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