The Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning were involved in a minor trade this afternoon. Chicago received defenseman Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 fifth round pick, in exchange for, defenseman Jan Rutta and a 2019 seventh round pick.
Koekkoek has one goal in nine NHL games this season. The 24-year old has also played five games with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL this season, registering one assist.
Chicago will take on Koekkoek’s $885,000 salary cap hit, and will also have a decision to make this off-season, as the former first-round pick is a restricted free agent. For his career, Koekkoek has played 85 career NHL games, registering 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) with Tampa Bay.
Rutta, signed last season for $2.25 million, was recently skating with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL after being demoted in December. The 28-year old has played 80 career NHL games, registering 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists).
The trade does not have a “wow” factor, however, moving up in the draft is always a good thing, even if it is a fifth-round pick. Chicago will also have control over Koekkoek this offseason as a restricted free agent, whereas, Rutta could have walked after the season. Bowman is also taking a shot that Koekkoek can turn into the talent that made him the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft.
Slater Koekkoek
Jan Rutta
