Hawks boldly shake up roster as trades sweep NHL, overshadow draft weekend
CHICAGO — Two days after they were swept by the Nashville Predators, general manager Stan Bowman bubbled and boiled and promised change, above all, to the Chicago Blackhawks.
That change came in loud fashion Friday morning just before the start of draft weekend in Chicago with the Blackhawks dealing 2016 Calder trophy winner Artemi Panarin to Columbus in a package that brings back Brandon Saad. The Hawks also dealt Niklas Hjalmarsson, a key piece on three Stanley Cup winning squads to Arizona as trades continued to overshadow draft weekend.
Trading season has truly taken over the NHL.
After adding Hjalmarsson, the Coyotes also picked up long-time New York Rangers centre Derek Stepan and potential starting netminder Antti Raanta. Arizona has been busy under Andrew Barroway — who became the club’s sole owner earlier this month — dealing No. 1 goalie Mike Smith to Calgary last week while parting ways with well-regarded head coach Dave Tippett on Thursday night.