Blackhawks trade Lehner, Gustafsson
There was plenty of hype leading up to the Feb. 24 trade deadline as we wondered what the slumping Blackhawks might be able to acquire from playoff-bound teams.
Turns out, not that much.
The Hawks sent goalie Robin Lehner — a Vezina Trophy finalist last season — to Vegas in exchange for goalie Malcolm Subban, defense prospect Slava Demin and a second-round pick in the 2020 draft.
GM Stan Bowman also moved Erik Gustafsson, a pending unrestricted free agent, to Calgary for a third-round pick in June's draft.
If you're yawning — or perhaps screaming — you aren't alone.
Bowman actually didn't try to paint a sunny picture of what transpired Monday, but did say he was happy about being able to add a couple of picks to “add for the future.”
“A vast majority of the players come out of the top three rounds,” he said. “It was important for us, in particular, to get into the second round, and we were able to get another third-round pick. Having four picks in the top three rounds is very important.”
Bowman had conversations with multiple teams, but admitted moving a goalie at the deadline isn't as easy as moving a forward or a defenseman. He was reportedly close to making a deal with Colorado last week, but the two sides couldn't come to terms.
Vegas, which is in first place in the Pacific Division, is an interesting destination for Lehner, who will likely push a struggling Marc-Andre Fleury (.906 save percentage, 2.79 goals-against average).
Here is what Lehner (.918 save percentage, 3.01 GAA) tweeted at 2:30 p.m.: “Thank you Chicago. What a great city. Fans were unbelievable and I'm not going to forget the short time there. I believe in this team and still do. Great teammates! gonna miss all of you. The city and guys deserve the best.”
Lehner really did love Chicago and could return in free agency come July, but if Bowman truly thought that was possible he probably wouldn't have dealt him in the first place.
“He's not our player anymore so I can't say if we'll be interested in him or not,” said Bowman, who inked Lehner to a one-year deal on July 1 after the Islanders elected to go another direction.
Bowman paused for a moment during his 23-minute teleconference Monday to thank Lehner for his contributions.
“He's a fantastic person,” Bowman said. “Really unique guy. Great goaltender. Really enjoyed getting to know him and I wish him well.
“I had a long conversation with him today after the trade was completed and I just said I certainly appreciate everything he did for our organization. He gave it his all. I wish nothing but the best for him in Vegas.”
As for the 26-year-old Subban, he was drafted 24th overall by Boston and has a career .899 save percentage and 2.97 GAA in 65 appearances. He's backed Fleury up the last three seasons and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July if he's not signed first.
Colin Delia, Matt Tompkins and Kevin Lankinen are the Hawks' other three goalies in the system.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Demin was drafted by Vegas in the fourth round in 2018 and is playing for the University of Denver. The left-shot D-man is a sophomore who has 2 goals and 7 assists in 30 games.
Gustafsson figures to help one of Flames' power-play units, but he can be a defensive liability against an opponent's top forwards. Calgary is 32-25-6 and occupies the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
It was Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton who helped Gustafsson understand what it takes to be an everyday defensemen when both were still in Rockford.
“He's got the world at his feet if he wants as far as his ability to contribute in this league at a high level,” Colliton said in December 2018. “He's going to make ... those special plays.
“But it's raising the minimum level that he plays at. If he does that, then he can be a top player on top teams.”
Now he'll get that chance. As will Lehner once again.
As for the Hawks? Only time will tell if anything that happened Monday helps down the road.
Scouting report
Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. at Enterprise Center
TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: St. Louis, which leads the Central Division, has won four straight by outscoring its opponents 13-2. …David Perron (24 goals), Brayden Schenn (21) and Jaden Schwartz (20) lead the offense. Six other players have hit double digits in goals, including D-man Alex Pietrangelo (13). Pietrangelo needs 3 more scores to set a career high. … St. Louis' power play is 0-for-11 over the last games but its penalty kill is a perfect 16-for-16. … Vladimir Tarasenko is out with a shoulder injury and could return in late April. … The Hawks have lost both meetings with the Blues and wrap up their season series against them in St. Louis on March 8.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning, 6 p.m. Thursday at Amalie Arena
— John Dietz