Chicago Blackhawks Should Regret The Teuvo Teravainen Trade

Teuvo Teravainen is thriving with the Carolina Hurricanes, and considering the Chicago Blackhawks’ youth movement, they should regret trading him

When the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Teuvo Teravainen 18th in 2012 draft, critics were saying the ‘Hawks got a highly touted prospect. Some people believed the Blackhawks getting Teravainen at No. 18 was the steal of the draft. He was hailed as a Patrick Kane-type player.

The Teuvo hype train was in full force after the 2012 season. Everyone was on Teuvo watch. He would debut for the ‘Hawks in 2013-14. After finishing his season with Jokerit, with whom he put up 44 points, he played in three games with the ‘Hawks.

Teuvo would spent part of the next year between Rockford and the NHL in 2014-15. Despite not playing the entire season in Chicago, Teuvo would make his mark in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He scored the game-winner in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Teuvo would be on the third line with Patrick Sharp and Antoine Vermette. That is how deep the Blackhawks were at the forward position in 2014-15. In 2015-16, Teuvo made his mark with the ‘Hawks. He played in 72 regular-season games, recording 13 goals and 22 assists.

After the 2015-16 season, Blackhawks general manger Stan Bowman had to sweeten a deal to take Bryan Bickell‘s bad contract off the Blackhawks’ books. This would mark the third prospect Bowman had to move to unload another one of his bad contracts.

He would make a similar deal to unload Sharp. Teuvo was traded before he was able to fully take flight in Chicago. Teuvo is now starting to soar in Carolina. It was only fitting that he assisted on the game-winning goal against his former team Thursday.

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Teuvo taking off in Carolina

Teuvo is currently the leading scorer for the Hurricanes with 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points. To put that in perspective, Teuvo would be the second-leading scorer on the Blackhawks. He would trail only Patrick Kane in points.

The worst part of the Teuvo deal is that he is 23 years old on a two-year, $2.86 million contract. If he was with the Hawks now, Bowman would have overpaid him — but he would be worth it.

With ‘Hawks’ core aging, how good would Teuvo have looked playing with Nick Schmaltz, Anthony Duclair and Alex DeBrincat? Hindsight is 20/20, but this another deal I rationalized at the time, but now can’t comprehend.

Next: Blackhawks, Rutta Agree To One-Year Contract

The Teuvo deal was the price of success combined with bad contracts, which cost the Blackhawks. I know the Blackhawks love bringing back former ‘Hawks, and Teuvo is one guy I would love to have back in the red sweater.

Don’t blame me for dreaming.