Chicago Blackhawks’ Trade-Deadline Deals Have Been Hit And Miss

By Aaron Goldschmidt

Feb 12, 2017

Jun 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Antoine Vermette (80) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks /

April 1st, 2013: Blackhawks acquire Michal Handzus from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2013 fourth-round pick

Talk about a great return on investment. Handzus was another big contributor in the 2013 Stanley Cup run.

He was a big centerman who could go toe to toe with anybody in the faceoff circle and hardly played like an older veteran. In a shortened season, it was a perfect time to acquire this kind of veteran who may have had more left in the tank.

’Zus was a great temporary fix for a team that had been longing for a second=line center for years. I will always remember him for this shorthanded goal in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final.

Was it worth it?

Well, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup that year and the Sharks drafted Fredrik Bergvik, who has yet to see NHL ice. Yes, I’d say this trade was worth it.