The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired ahead Alex Nylander from the Buffalo Sabres in trade for defender Henri Jokiharju, the Blackhawks introduced Tuesday.
Each Nylander and Jokiharju had been first-round choices of their respective draft lessons with Nylander going eighth-overall to the Sabres in 2016 and Jokiharju going 29th general the next Draft in 2017.
For each groups, this appears like a reset of kinds. It isn’t the primary time the Blackhawks have executed this both as they acquired Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome from the Arizona Coyotes in trade for Nick Schmaltz simply final season. The deal paid off early for the Blackhawks as Strome would lastly attain his potential in Chicago after stifling in Arizona.
The third-overall choose from 2015 would rating solely seven targets and 15 factors in 48 video games in Arizona over three seasons earlier than scoring 17 targets and 51 factors in simply 58 video games with the Blackhawks to shut out the 2018-19 season.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson pressures Buffalo Sabres proper wing Alexander Nylander (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities)
This deal feels related on paper as Nylander, although nonetheless solely 21 years previous, has did not create an impression on the AHL and NHL ranges. In 19 whole NHL video games throughout three seasons, Nylander has solely scored three targets and 6 factors. He’s additionally solely scored 30 targets and 86 factors in 165 AHL video games with the Rochester Individuals in that very same time-frame.
For the Blackhawks, that is one other younger ahead with immensely excessive upside who seemingly wants a contemporary begin.
Sabres Addressing Protection
For the Sabres, a staff seeking to lastly take the subsequent step and grow to be a playoff staff, protection and goaltending have grow to be the highest priorities. This is the reason Jokiharju is smart for them. At 20 years previous, the Finnish-born, right-shot defender already has NHL potential and will instantly slot into the Sabres top-four subsequent season.
Henri Jokiharju (Dayna Fjord/Portland Winterhawks)
So far as worldwide play goes, Jokiharju has executed nothing however flip heads for all the fitting causes on the World Junior Championships and that evidently caught the attention of the Sabres brass. Moreover, Jokiharju cut up time between the Blackhawks and the Rockford IceHogs within the AHL final season, scoring 12 assists in 38 NHL video games in addition to two targets and 17 factors in 30 NHL video games.
Jokiharju and Nylander Get Profession Resets
It’s fascinating to see the Blackhawks transfer on from Jokiharju so quickly, particularly with how properly he performed for them in simply his first skilled season. He’s a sensible participant with all the expertise and instruments wanted to play on the NHL degree in opposition to the perfect expertise on this planet however for some cause, he frequently fell down the staff’s depth chart on protection inside the group.
For the Sabres, this was a possibility to leap on a participant with large upside at a place of want. It might have value them a participant with excessive upside in his personal proper in Nylander, however this deal merely made sense from a worth perspective.
There can be followers on either side of this deal shaking their head in disbelief that their respective groups moved on from gamers so early of their careers. There may also be followers pleased with the participant their staff obtained in return. In the long run, solely time will inform who obtained the higher participant on this commerce with there being a really actual risk that each groups received for various causes.
