Trade: Blackhawks Send Brandon Saad To Blue Jackets

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Brandon Saad, Alex Broadhurst and Michael Paliotta to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp and a 2016 4th round pick.

The 22-year old Saad was drafted 43rd overall in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Blackhawks.

The 22-year old Broadhurst was drafted 199th overall in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by the Blackhawks.

The 22-year old Paliotta was drafted 70th overall in the third round of the 2011 draft by the Blackhawks.

The 27-year old Anisimov was drafted 54th overall in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Rangers.

The 20-year old Dano was drafted 27th overall in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Blue Jackets.

The 24-year old Morin was drafted 45th overall in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Thrashers.

The 25-year old Tropp was drafted 89th overall in the third round of the 2007 draft by the Sabres.

What do you think of this trade?

Thoughts from the media:

Chris Kuc: “GM Stan Bowman said the fact Brandon Saad might have gotten an offer sheet from a team was a factor in trading him.”

Stepen Whyno: “Stan Bowman on Brandon Saad: “It’s a challenge to try to negotiate a contract. … weren’t able to reach an agreement.” Then looked trade.”

Bob McKenzie: “CHI traded Saad because he was looking for 6 yrs with AAV of $6.5M. May have been an offer sheet coming tomorrow from a team with those #s.”

Elliotte Friedman: “No doubt CHI thought an offer sheet was coming.”

Brett Cyrgalis: “It’s unbelievable how the threat of the unknown causes haste. Offer sheets are almost never signed, but their existence is a wonder.”

Craig Custance: “Don’t believe the Blue Jackets were going to offer sheet Brandon Saad but the threat must have been there from someone.”

Dan Rosen: “Saad getting traded shows A) cap hell is real, B) hard to trade your way out of cap hell, C) GMs say emotional things 10 mins after winning.”

Erik Erlendsson: “This is what the salary cap is supposed to do, redistribute talent, forces teams to make decisions, TB fans should take note

Adrian Dater: “So the Hawks are stuck with 33-year-old Patrick Sharp instead of 22-year-old, wicked promising Brandon Saad. So long dynasty”

Jonathan Willis: “Stan Bowman’s a good GM, but let’s not pretend he didn’t have options. Remember the high trade price for Patrick Sharp? That’s Saad’s money.”

Mark Lazerus: “Paying $6.5 million a year for Saad might have been crippling this year. But it might seem like a steal in a few years. Bold move.”

Todd Cordell: “I think both teams did very well. CBJ had a ton of F depth and used it to get a young stud.CHI landed cheap, quality forwards to fill holes.”

Travis Yost: “Saad had twelve points less than Mark Stone last year and was asking > 6×6. And Dano’s going to be a star. I think Chicago did OK here.”

Daniel Friedman: “Friendly reminder that Marko Dano is a very, very talented hockey player. Chicago getting a solid haul here, better than people think.”