Blackhawks deal Panarin and Hjalmarsson, get Saad back

FILE - At left, in an Oct. 14, 2016, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72), of Russia, plays against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Nashville, Tenn. At right, in a Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad works against the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. The Blackhawks have re-acquired forward Brandon Saad in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, parting with top young forward Artemi Panarin to complete the blockbuster deal.(AP Photo/File) FILE - At left, in an Oct. 14, 2016, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72), of Russia, plays against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Nashville, Tenn. At right, in a Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad works against the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. The Blackhawks have re-acquired forward Brandon Saad in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, parting with top young forward Artemi Panarin to complete the blockbuster deal.(AP Photo/File)

By Associated Press June 23, 2017 3 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – General manager Stan Bowman promised changes were coming after the Chicago Blackhawks were swept in the first round of the playoffs.

Boy, he wasn’t kidding.

Chicago re-acquired Brandon Saad and parted with Niklas Hjalmarsson and Artemi Panarin in a pair of stunning trades on Friday, giving the Blackhawks a younger look for their forwards and defensemen.

The Blackhawks won the Central Division last season with a 50-23-9 record, finishing with the most points in the Western Conference. They were considered one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup.

But they were swept by Nashville in the opening series, managing just three goals in 13 periods in an embarrassing performance for a team with three championships since 2010. Bowman angrily called it a complete failure, and then overhauled coach Joel Quenneville’s staff and replaced the coach of the team’s top minor league affiliate.