Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- Breadman’s Connection

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans! When I look back at the trade last summer of Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad, I never thought it would work out as poorly as it has this season for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

When the Chicago Blackhawks announced the trade last summer, I was actually very excited to get Brandon Saad back to Chicago even though I have been against all these reunions for sometime now.

I really believed we had seen the best of Artemi Panarin, and he didn’t have the ability to step up during the playoffs since he basically had disappeared both years against the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators.

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The one thing I really didn’t expect was for Patrick Kane to have such a drop off.  I really thought he would be able to adapt to whomever Joel Quenneville put out there with him and that just hasn’t happened.  One thing Q has done is just juggle the lineup to death all season long.

One thing that never changed if healthy was the line of Artem Anisimov in the middle of the Breadman and Kaner.  I mean look at the last few games, Q has Tomas Jurco playing with Kane which is ridiculous.

Then there is the other end of the trade being Saad just hasn’t played up to his standards, or the standards we placed on him when he returned.  We expected Saad to be Marian Hossa, and he’s obviously not. He has been pretty unlucky with bounces not going his way this season that make his stats seem even worse than they are.

Can Saad bounce back next season, of course he’s only 24 years old, but he’s going to have to work at it this offseason and not just hope to be a good player.  I always thought he was part of the core before he was traded away, and now he needs to earn that spot next season.

 Here are some morning links to start your Friday! 

Here is a quick look at the what the Chicago Blackhawks prospects did this past week (Blackhawks)

Why should Chicago Blackhawks fans accept this unacceptable season (Tribune)

The Rockford Ice Hogs got a much needed win (The Rink)

Of course it’s too early to tell on the Ryan Hartman deal (Daily Herald)

Seattle hit the 10K goal of season tickets in 12 minutes (SB Nation)

What is the Colorado Avalanche blueprint right now (Mile High Sticking)

Why the Winnipeg Jets shouldn’t be afraid of the Nashville Predators (Free Press)

Next: Blackhawks Defense Is Still A Concern

The KHL postpones playoffs so the Olympic winners can party more (Puck Daddy)