Blackhawks and Blue Jackets Super Deal Involves Prospects

Out of left field this evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks made a super deal. The deal sends Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Corey Tropp, and a fourth rounder to Chicago in exchange for Alex Broadhurst, Brandon Saad, and Michael Paliotta.

Obviously, there are some big pieces in this trade (Saad!!!) but we are a minor league hockey site and will look at some of the minor leaguers/prospects.

Dano split time between the Blue Jackets and the AHL Springfield Falcons this season. The 20 year old saw his first NHL action this season, where he scored 21 points in 35 contests. He had 19 points in 39 games with the Falcons, so he actually fared better with the Jackets.

Hockey’s Future has this to say about Dno, reflecting hi with Columbus.

"Dano is an averaged sized player that relies on his speed to create opportunities. He works hard in the offensive zone and is able to keep the puck on his stick. He has decent hands and can find the open man in traffic. In the defensive zone, Dano is responsible and knows when to step up on his mark. He plays a gritty game, which should fit right into Columbus’ hardnosed style."

Broadhurst, a forward, spent his entire season with the American Hockey League’s Rockford Ice Hogs. He scored 14 points in 29 games with them. The Illinois native was a seventh round selection by the Blackhawks in 2011, so he is somewhat of a long shot. He scored 59 career points in 104 AHL games, and will likely report to the Lake Erie Monsters.

Hockey’s Future says this about Broadhurst:

"An undersized but talented pivot, Broadhurst possesses excellent offensive creativity and quickness. Not a very big forward, he may find it tough to find the same space that he did as a junior player. Broadhurst’s defensive game made strides during his year in London, where he skated on the team’s penalty kill in addition to his even strength and powerplay roles. Although he has mostly skated at center in Green Bay and London, Broadhurst may wind up on the wing at the pro level."

Paliotta is 22 years old and has one NHL game under his belt, where he had an assist on April 11th of this year. He played with the University of Vermont, where he had 83 points in his four seasons with the team. He was a third round pick in 2011 by the Blackhawks.

Here is Hockey’s Future analysis of Paliotta:

"A physical blueliner with good size and skating ability. Paliotta has been pegged as a shutdown defenseman in his draft year, but has proven to have an offensive side to his game as his college career has progressed. He has played a key role in the resurgence of the University of Vermont hockey program."