Chicago Blackhawks: Jeremy Morin’s Future

When the Chicago Blackhawks traded Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this summer, they received a familiar face in return in Jeremy Morin. Morin coming back in the Saad deal was a bit of a head scratcher, as his exit from Chicago was not on the best of terms.

More From Blackhawk Up — Top 5 Blackhawks Captains Of All Time

Morin had demanded he be traded because of his lack of playing time at the NHL level. The Blackhawks would grant Morin request and send him to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Tim Erixon. This move was a swap of unwanted players. The move would be a wash for both teams as both players struggled. Erixon would not last long with the Blackhawks as they waived him after eight games in the NHL.

Morin would not produce when given his big chance with Columbus. In 28 games with Columbus, Morin recorded 2 goals and 4 assists. These numbers fell way short of his AHL production with the Rockford IceHogs, during which he recorded 56 goals and 54 assists in 158 games. He recorded 30 goals and 28 assists in his last full season in the AHL. Now that Morin is back with the Blackhawks, the question is what to do with him.

More from Blackhawks News

• Blackhawks vs Flames: Date, Time, Lineup, Betting Odds, More
• Three Takeaways from the Blackhawks’ Win vs Vancouver
• Blackhawks: Why Derek King is the Right Coach moving forward
• Marc-Andre Fleury Carries the Blackhawks to a 4-2 Win vs Seattle
• Instant Reaction: Blackhawks top Kraken for first time in history

Here are some moves I don’t think the Blackhawks will make regarding Morin:

1. Send Morin to Rockford. Morin is on a one-way contract. If the Blackhawks sent him to Rockford, his salary remains $800,000. He would also have to pass through waivers, which means other teams could claim him. The Blackhawks would not get anything in return for him.

2. Play him at the NHL level. Coach Joel Quenneville made it clear last season that he will not play Morin. Morin does not play a two-way game which Quenneville requires. If he does remain with the team, expect him to play less than Dan Carcillo did last season.

3. Trade him straight up. Teams are not going to be willing to take Morin straight up for another player. If they trade him straight up, it will be a worthless player for a worthless player. I am not saying Morin is worthless in the NHL, but that is how is viewed by the Blackhawks coaching staff. They do not see any value in Morin playing for them.

The only thing to do with Morin is to trade him with a another player. Everyone thinks that Morin will be dealt with Kris Versteeg or Bryan Bickell. I think Morin will be included in a trade. He might be included in a deal with those guys, but another prospect will be included also. He will be a throw in. The Blackhawks might have to send off a forward prospect like Tyler Motte in any deal that includes Morin.

Morin was booed when he was introduced at the recent Blackhawks Convention. If he remains with the Blackhawks, he can expect much more of the same treatment this season.

Next: 5 Western Conference Calder Candidates

More from Blackhawk Up

• Blackhawks: Grading Connor Murphy and a position comparison
• Blackhawks: Shuffling the lines to try and spark offense at 5 on 5
• These Lineup Changes could Solve the Blackhawks’ Scoring Problem
• Blackhawks: List Of Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving
• The perfect holiday gifts for the Chicago Blackhawks fan