Blackhawks acquire Anthony Duclair from Coyotes

Joe Rodgers
January 10, 2018 23:47 MYT
The Blackhawks acquired forward Anthony Duclair from the Coyotes on Wednesday in exchange for forward Richard Panik, the teams announced.

Chicago (21-15-6) also acquired Adam Clendening in the deal and sent Laurent Dauphin to the Coyotes.

Duclair has nine goals and 15 points in 33 games this season while Panik has not lived up to his two-year, $5.6 million contract, recording just six goals and 10 assists in 37 games.

Richard Panik's contract was one of Stan Bowman's biggest mistakes. Good on him to realize it and get rid of it quickly rather than be stubborn about it.

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 10, 2018
Duclair scored 20 goals and 24 assists in 81 games in his first full season (2014-15) but the former third-round pick has had his ceiling stunted with the Coyotes' poor performance over the past three years. He will be a restricted free agent after this season.

Coyotes general manager John Chayka sees the 26-year-old Panik as a "nice addition" for the 10-27-6 club currently in last place in the NHL.

John Chayka: "Richard Panik is a big, skilled winger who is an excellent goal scorer. He's also a strong two-way forward with great speed and provides a veteran presence. He will be a nice addition to our forward group."

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 10, 2018
Clendening returns to the Blackhawks after being drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. He's played in 86 career games with six teams over four seasons, registering 24 points (4G, 20A). He will report to the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks said in a statement.

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