Chicago Blackhawks: Trade Deadline Moves 2020

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 06: Erik Gustafsson #56 of the Chicago Blackhawks turns to the puck as Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames hits the boards at the United Center on February 6 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Flames defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 06: Erik Gustafsson #56 of the Chicago Blackhawks turns to the puck as Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames hits the boards at the United Center on February 6 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Flames defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded away two players during the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline. Here’s everything that happened during the day.

All times are Central.

Sunday

4:56 PM: The Chicago Blackhawks have lost 2-1 to the Dallas Stars. In this game, there were many opportunities for the Blackhawks to come back and tie it up. Even though their playoff hopes aren’t fully dead yet, they’re not in a key place.

Chicago being seven points out of the playoffs makes them a prime seller, if Stan Bowman decides to do so. The big names brought up for the Blackhawks to trade are Robin Lehner, Brandon Saad, and Erik Gustafsson. Corey Crawford is in the conversation too, but he has a no-movement-clause.

A team that would make sense is the Carolina Hurricanes. Lehner would fit the injury situation in Carolina. It just depends on how bad do they want a goalie. If the Blackhawks can’t get at least one first-round draft pick, they shouldn’t trade Lehner.

Saad hasn’t performed as well as he did in Columbus since his return to Chicago. I still don’t want to see him leave the team. He’s a solid two-way winger that has good trade value. His name was brought up a lot last week for possible trades, he’s been pretty quiet this weekend though.

Gustafsson is a different situation. He’s 27 and talented, but he could be on his way out. In his first full season with the Blackhawks, Gustafsson put up 60 points. This year he’s taken a huge dip in points with only 26. He was a scratch in the Blackhawks’ last two games. That could mean that they’re keeping him healthy if a trade comes along.

10:30 PM: As we near midnight on the east coast, the Blackhawks haven’t made a single move. It’ll be an interesting day tomorrow. Hopefully, a first-round pick or two ends up in the Blackhawks’ possession.

Monday

7:40 AM: Nothing notable involving the Blackhawks. There have been a few moves throughout the NHL, nothing involving Chicago. I wouldn’t expect much for the next few hours.

10:08 AM: As reported by Ben Pope from the Chicago Sun-Times, the Blackhawks will not be practicing today. Stan Bowman will speak to the media sometime after 2 PM.

1:01 PM: Gustafsson was acquired by the Flames for conditional draft picks. Still waiting for the full details on the return for the Blackhawks.

2:00 PM: Lehner has been traded to Vegas. The full details haven’t been announced yet. The rumor is a second-round draft pick and an unnamed prospect.

2:41 PM: As reported by multiple sources, Malcolm Subban is that prospect. In his career, he is 30-23-7 as a starter. Subban has a 2.97 GAA for his career.  He is currently on a one-year contract worth $850,000 AAV, which will be taken by the Blackhawks.

In Conclusion: Bowman hit us all with a buzz-beater shot that saw us lose Lehner, who was willing to take less money to stay in Chicago. I’m not surprised that the Blackhawks messed this up. They should have walked out of today with at least one first-round draft choice.

The good news is, we’re one day closer to the day Bowman isn’t our general manager anymore. I don’t want him to be “promoted” to a different job either. I want Bowman completely out of the Blackhawks’ organization.

I think the majority of the fans agree with that statement.

Schedule