In a move that caught everybody off guard the Chicago Blackhawks traded away Brandon Saad and two prospects for Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp and a fourth-round draft pick.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were in the thick of things but Chicago went with Columbus' offer.
My initial reaction was that Chicago didn't do a good job with this deal but after further consideration I think they did a pretty good job.
Let's go with some comparables here:
Marko Dano is a way better prospect than Kasperi Kapanen is (or any other Pittsburgh forward prospect). Dano was producing at 2.57 points per 60 at even-strength in his 37 games last year. Anything over 2.0 is considered a top line level. Sure the 39 games is a small sample but he was great in it. Kapanen might not even be an NHL player in 2015-16 for an organization desperate for top six help. Dano isn't extremely well known but he is a very talented forward and should thrive in Chicago.
Artem Anisimov is light years better than Brandon Sutter, no debating that. Chicago is already talking extension with Anisimov. The Blackhawks won a Stanley Cup with Michael Handzus as their #2 center. They can certainly do so with Anisimov in that role if Teuvo Teravainen is not ready for that spot.
With Anisimov in the fold it probably makes Brad Richards available via unrestricted free agency. The more options the better for the third line center position.
This deal swings on if Marco Dano can be a difference maker. He will be put into a great position to do just like much like Brandon Saad was.
The reason for the trade stemmed from Brandon Saad's asking price of 6.5M and knowing that a team was going to offer sheet him for even more. No team would trade for Saad knowing that was his price and not be willing to buck up. Expect a deal to get signed shortly in Columbus. This is similar to how the Sabres just traded for Ryan O'Reilly knowing they will have to buck up to sign him.
The asking price of Saad at 6.5M is certainly large but keep in mind that most big contracts in the NHL are given to players for what they have accomplished, not for what they are going to accomplish. Saad is only 22 years old and is just entering his prime years. That cap hit will probably look pretty great in a few years.
Columbus has a tremendous forward grouping and their goalie is great too, however their defense corp. stinks. They will need to improve on that front to be true contenders.
Some people are claiming that the Penguins were rumored to be sending an offer sheet to Saad while the Oilers were going to be doing the same to Dougie Hamilton. As a result Chicago/Boston traded Saad/Hamilton to divisional rivals instead. Don't tear your hamstring stretching on that one.
Fact is the Penguins tried but their lack of forward depth (apparently what Chicago was looking for) was what cost them in the end and the Bruins front office is a complete tire fire. No need to overanalyze the situation.
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The Oilers traded away Boyd Gordon to Arizona. Why does this matter?
Either this could generate some interest in Brandon Sutter or it will probably create even more competition for UFA Eric Fehr.
And they are considering it, but only on a short-term basis. If Semin is willing to play cheap — the Penguins would prefer a one-year deal, giving him a chance to prove himself without giving him a chance to destroy another team’s cap situation — it could happen. One member of the Penguins’ organization told me interest in Semin is “so-so.” In other words, if he’ll play cheap, he’s a maybe. The Penguins would likely play Semin on a line with Evgeni Malkin.
That will take Pittsburgh out of the running. There is too much interest around the league in Alexander Semin. They will have to be in that 3.5-4M range to be competitive. Naturally that would be on a one year contract, two at the most.
I will have my free agent endorsement list tomorrow morning with analysis of any potential moves in the evening.
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