In what has been an unimpressive offseason so far for the Chicago Blackhawks, the team made a trade on Thursday to clear cap space in order to have the flexibility to make additional roster moves in the future.
The Blackhawks dealt the contract of Marian Hossa, forward Vinnie Hinostroza and defenseman Jordan Oesterle to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Marcus Kruger, minor-league players Jordan Maletta and Andrew Campbell, prospect MacKenzie Entwistle and a 2019 fifth-round NHL Draft pick.
The trade cleared up an estimated $8.5 million in cap space for the Blackhawks.
Despite being forced into early retirement due to a progressive skin-disorder, Hossa’s $5.275 million salary hit still counted against the Hawks’ cap this past season. The team put him on LTIR to clear up a little more space, but wanted to get his salary off the books for good. They were able to do it, but at the expense of giving up valuable players in Hinostroza and Oesterle.
The Blackhawks released the following statement on Hossa shortly after the trade was announced.
“Today is another example of the leadership Marian has displayed as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization. When we approached him to discuss the idea of him waiving his no-move clause to allow us to make this move, it became clear this was a difficult thing for him to consider. After the success he has had in a Blackhawks jersey, the friends he has made throughout the organization and the fact his heart will always be in Chicago, the thought of disassociating in any way from the team he has come to love was not something he really wanted to give any thought to at all. But, as the consummate team player, he did what he has always done. He did what the team needed him to do in order to succeed.
Marian’s long-term contributions to the club will never be forgotten. His performance as a player was always appreciated, but, it is his special qualities as a teammate, a leader and a person, that will more than anything leave its mark on all of us who have come to love and respect the very humble way he goes about everything he does. He has shown us all the impact we can have on others if we conduct ourselves with character, integrity and utmost respect for all we come in contact with. We have had the pleasure of watching him hoist three Stanley Cups with our team and he will forever be connected to the Blackhawks. On behalf of the entire organization, we would like to thank Marian-a world-class player-for all he has done for the Chicago Blackhawks.”
In eight seasons with the Blackhawks, Hossa recorded 186 goals and 229 assists for 415 points in 534 regular-season games and posted 21 goals and 52 assists for 73 points in 107 postseason games, helping the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships (2010, 2013 and 2015).
The small but speedy Hinostroza played in 106 NHL games for the Blackhawks over the past three seasons, registering 13 goals and 26 assists for 39 career points. In 50 games this past season, Hinostroza recorded 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points.
Signed as an unrestricted free agent before last season, Oesterle registered 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 55 games for the Blackhawks in 2017-18.
The Hawks are getting a familiar face in Kruger, who played the first seven years of his career in Chicago before being traded away prior to last season. In 398 career games with the Blackhawks, Kruger recorded 33 goals and 72 assists for 105 points, helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015.
The other player the Hawks received that has the most upside in terms of NHL potential is Entwistle. This past season, the 18-year old helped the Hamilton Bulldogs win the OHL Championship, recording 10 goals and 7 assists for 17 points in 21 OHL playoff games. In the regular season, Entwistle posted 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in 49 games. He was a third-round pick by the Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Campbell, 30, who played the last two seasons in the minors, has played in 42 career NHL games over parts of three seasons, recording two assists. Maletta, 23, has played in 105 career AHL games over two seasons, registering 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points.
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