The Chicago Blackhawks have already been active ahead of Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline and they could have another move coming. On Saturday it was learned that team would be making Mattias Janmark a healthy scratch and sitting him out of the lineup for precautionary reasons. Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters, including NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis that the forward was sitting tonight’s game versus Columbus in what he called an “organizational decision”.
Related: Panthers and Blackhawks Make a Salary Cap Trade Involving Brett Connolly
The assumption, of course, is that the Blackhawks either have something cooking on a trade involving Janmark or that there will be a lot of activity surrounding the forward over the next 48 hours. Scott Powers of The Athletic noted on Twitter Saturday morning: “A scout thought a few weeks ago Janmark could fetch a 2nd-rounder. That was when Janmark was pretty hot. He has one point in his last 10 games. We’ll see.”
Janmark, 28, is in his first season with Chicago after signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal with them at the beginning of free agency this past season. He’s a pending UFA and with the Blackhawks falling further down the standings, it’s not surprising to hear he could be on the move.
What Janmark Brings in a Trade
He’s offered decent secondary scoring with ten goals and nine assists in 41 games and averages 16:49 per night. Key to other teams likely being interested is that fact that he kills penalties and that’s always important this time of year.
Contenders will be looking for bottom-six depth. Janmark certainly provides that. But, because this seems to be turning into a buyers market and the action has been fairly slow to date, it’s not clear what GM Stan Bowman is looking to acquire in return. The Blackhawks have already taken on salary in a previous deal and could look to do so again. If a team that acquires Janmark also tossed in a poor contract, Chicago could up the value of the draft pick earned significantly.
Next: Patrik Nemeth Traded To Colorado Avalanche
Pingback: Brandon Mountour Likely Heading to Florida Panthers in Trade