Why did the Blackhawks trade Panarin

When the Chicago Blackhawks traded Panarin in 2017, fans felt shocked and disappointed. Panarin had won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie just two years earlier. He was a star in his prime, putting up incredible offensive numbers. So why did the Blackhawks trade Panarin away? The answer is pretty straightforward: money.

The salary cap squeeze that forced Chicago's hand

The Blackhawks faced a financial wall in 2017. They couldn't afford to keep Panarin and also pay Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, their franchise cornerstones. Re-signing Panarin to a long-term deal would have required trading away one of those superstars. Chicago's front office refused to let Kane or Toews go. The math was simple: keep the established stars, or lose everyone. Panarin had to go (even though nobody wanted to admit it at the time).

What Chicago gave up and what happened next

On June 27, 2017, the Blackhawks traded Panarin and Tyler Motte to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chicago received Brandon Saad and goalie Anton Forsberg in return. The trade was supposed to refresh the roster with younger talent. Instead, it backfired pretty badly. The Blackhawks missed the playoffs entirely in 2017-18, their first season outside the postseason since 2007-08. Panarin's absence left a huge hole in the offensive lineup that nobody could fill, and the impact was immediate.

Could Panarin come back to Chicago?

Fast forward to 2025, and Panarin is an impending free agent with the New York Rangers. He's had tremendous succes in New York after signing a seven-year, $81.5 million deal in 2019. The Blackhawks have shown interest in bringing him back home. Acquiring Panarin would cost significant draft picks and prospects, but the team sees him as a potential franchise leader for their rebuild. Whether Chicago and Panarin reunite remains uncertain, but the possibility keeps fans hopefull.

The Panarin trade shows how salary cap limits force tough choices in hockey. Teams can't keep everyone, no matter how talented the roster is. Chicago made a hard decision to protect Kane and Toews, but it cost them dearly on the ice. That one trade changed everything for the franchise.