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Chicago Blackhawks’ Michal Kempny Traded To Washington Capitals

By Tim Martens

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 07: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Kempny (6) warms up prior to a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers on January 7, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 07: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Kempny (6) warms up prior to a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers on January 7, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks have made another move before the trade deadline. This time, defenseman Michal Kempny is moving on, having been traded to the Washington Capitals.

News has broken that Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Kempny has been traded to the Washington Capitals. The news came from Kempny himself, who told press about the trade as he left the United Center.

The return for Kempny is reportedly a third-round pick in this year’s draft, giving the Blackhawks seven picks currently in 2018.

In two seasons in Chicago, Kempny played in 81 games, averaging 15:06 time on ice. He tallied 107 hits and 105 blocked shots and was a solid 55.4 percent Corsi-for. Offensively he added three goals and 12 assists.

Kempny signed with the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in May of 2016 on a one-year deal and was re-signed in May of last year on another one year deal. He never found solid footing in the lineup (as is the case with almost all the Blackhawks’ current defenseman) and was in and out of the lineup his whole Blackhawks career.

The move gives the Blackhawks an extra draft pick to try and re-tool and re-shape their system, but the question remains what Kempny is capable of. He never was given much of a chance to stay in the lineup, develop and gain confidence. A change of scenery in Washington along with being given a chance to excel in the lineup could have more positive results for the defenseman.

Kempny is the second defenseman traded away by the franchise in the last week along with Ville Pokka last week. We will have to wait and see if this is the end of the moves by general manager Stan Bowman or if there are more players that will be packing their bags before the trade deadline next Monday, Feb. 26.

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What do you think of the trade? Was moving on from Kempny the right move? Do you think the defenseman has a chance to produce in Washington or with a different future team? Feel free to comment below.

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