Chicago Blackhawks trade Ben Smith to San Jose Sharks
Just two hours before the trade deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Ben Smith (RW) to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Andrew Desjardins (C).
Although Ben Smith has been on a bit of a point drought this season, no one saw this trade coming. Smith is a veteran player for Chicago, playing for the organization since the 2008 draft. While the exchange come as a bit of a shock, it freed up around $1 million dollars in the Blackhawks salary-cap.
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In the 61 games Smith has played this season, he has scored five goals and has had just four assists. Although these numbers are pretty low, the right winger was one of the teams leading penalty-killers. Due to the low scoring season Smith has had – having not scored a goal since December 20th, the last 25 games – he was a healthy scratch for the ‘Hawks twice in the last three weeks.
In return, the ‘Hawks acquired center Andrew Desjardins. Though he’s also been putting up points on the low end of the spectrum, finding the back of the net just five times in the 56 games he’s played this season, Desjardins “in-your-face” style of playing will likely benefit the current state of the Blackhawks offense.
As a stipulation for the trade to occur, San Jose agreed to pay Desjardins for the first half of this seasons’ contract, freeing up around $1 million dollars in the Blackhawks salary-cap. With Patrick Kane on the long-term IR until about halfway through playoffs, the ‘Hawks are utilizing this money in an attempt to fill his skates.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman addressed the media regarding the sudden trade of veteran player Ben Smith, thanking him for what he has given to the organization. He also touched on the fact that the ‘Hawks are concerned about their salary-cap, and this is what caused them to start looking around.
Desjardins will be joining the ‘Hawks for their next practice, likely on Wednesday, but will not be playing in tonights game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks organization is excited to see what this new center can bring to the ice, as well as the one million dollars they now have remaining.
H/T: Chicago Sun Times
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