Artemi Panarin traded to Blue Jackets by Blackhawks for Brandon Saad

Forward Artemi Panarin was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Brandon Saad.

Panarin, 25, finished second on the Blackhawks in goals (31) and points (74) this season, and was named a Second-Team All-Star. He won the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie in 2015-16, when he had 77 points (30 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games.

Panarin, who was undrafted, signed a two-year $7 million contract with Chicago in 2015, according to CapFriendly.com. In December, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract that runs through the 2018-19 season.

"We thank Artemi for the immediate impact he made on our lineup during his seamless transition to the NHL," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman. "His rookie year will always rank among the best in franchise history and his exciting style of play provided many memorable moments for our fans during his two seasons as a member of the team.

Saad, 24, has three years remaining on a six-year, $36 million contract with an average annual value of $6 million, according to CapFriendly.com. He had 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 82 games with the Blue Jackets this season and three points (one goal, two assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Saad was selected by Chicago in the second round (No. 43) of the 2011 NHL Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. He was traded to Columbus on June 30, 2015. In 368 games with the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, Saad has 232 points (107 goals, 125 assists).

Chicago also traded forward Tyler Motte and a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to Columbus and received goalie Anton Forsberg and a fifth-round pick in the 2018 draft.

"Artemi Panarin was the best rookie in the NHL two years ago, a Second-Team All-Star this past season and is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NHL," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "There is a cost to adding a player like Artemi, as well as a very good NHL prospect in Tyler Motte, but we believe this is a very good move for our team."

Motte had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 33 games with the Blackhawks this season. Forsberg played in one game with the Blue Jackets and was 27-17-4-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and four shutouts with Cleveland of the American Hockey League. (from)

Tweet