On Thursday night’s edition of Insider Trading on TSN, analyst Bob McKenzie reported the Chicago Blackhawks and forward Brendan Perlini were working on a trade to send Perlini out of Chicago. Perlini has only seen the ice for 7:49 for the Blackhawks this season.
Report: Blackhawks, Perlini working on trade
As the Blackhawks were getting ready to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, TSN’s Bob McKenzie broke news that the organization was working with forward Brendan Perlini and his agent, Darren Ferris, to find a trade partner, ending Perlini’s brief tenure in Chicago. The former first-round pick has only played in one game with the Blackhawks this season, an Oct. 12 contest against the Winnipeg Jets, with just 7:49 minutes over 11 shifts.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
🏒 Impact players to watch for #WorldJuniors
🏒 Hall & #NJDevils, #Blackhawks & Perlini
🏒 Options for #NYR prospect Kravtsov
🏒 #ALLCAPS & Holtby/BackstromWATCH 🌍: https://t.co/VlKj51kOzp pic.twitter.com/IUpCi7nc7L
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 24, 2019
Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton has emphasized versatility in the Blackhawks’ lineup as a key factor coming into this season. Rotating players based on line chemistry or matchup is something the Blackhawks have had the ability to do so far this season—something they missed last year. Unfortunately for Perlini, the preferred rotation has rendered him a healthy scratch most nights. With the additions of Alexander Nylander, Zack Smith and now Kirby Dach to the forward corps, the 23-year-old winger has become further buried on the NHL depth chart. Perhaps a change of scenery can give Perlini an opportunity for more ice time this season.
The Blackhawks acquired Perlini from the Arizona Coyotes along with Dylan Strome in exchange for Nick Schmaltz last season. In 46 games last season with the Blackhawks, Perlini tallied 12 goals and 15 points. He has played in 200 NHL games in his career and has tallied 72 points.