Blackhawks commerce Aleksi Saarela to Panthers for depth


Aleksi Saarela’s stint with the Blackhawks group didn’t final lengthy.

The Hawks despatched Saarela, a prospect ahead, to the Panthers in change for depth defenseman Ian McCoshen in a minor-league swap throughout Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout loss.

Saarela was acquired from the Hurricanes in June — together with Calvin de Haan — and lasted simply 4 months in Illinois.

In August, he bashed the Hurricanes to a Finnish newspaper for quite a few causes, together with not calling him as much as the NHL regardless of his robust 2018-19 season within the AHL.

But Saarela once more didn’t make an NHL roster throughout Hawks coaching camp, was despatched all the way down to Rockford previous to the Europe journey and had recorded only one level in 5 video games for Rockford coming into Tuesday.

The Panthers would be the 22-year-old ahead’s fourth NHL group. He was initially a Rangers draft decide.

In change, Hawks normal supervisor Stan Bowman added one other merchandise to his very flush forged of depth defensemen.

McCoshen, 24, has made 60 NHL appearances over the previous three seasons for Florida, tallying seven factors and a mediocre 46.four p.c Corsi ranking. He had 4 assists in seven appearances for Springfield, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, to this point this yr.

Jeremy Colliton stated after Tuesday’s recreation he knew little about McCoshen apart from that he’s a “big defenseman who’s played games in the NHL.”

Still, McCoshen may see a while with the Hawks later this season, particularly now that Connor Murphy’s damage troubles have reemerged.

Ian McCoshen (left) performed 60 video games for the Panthers over the previous three seasons earlier than being traded to the Blackhawks.AP Photos



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