Bowman: Have to be patient with Jurco, but potential is great

The Chicago Blackhawks gave their offensive depth a boost Friday evening, adding winger Tomas Jurco from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2017 third-round pick.

According to Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, it wasn't a spur of the moment decision.

"We've had our eye on Tomas for quite a while," Bowman said, according to the Blackhawks. "He's a big kid, (he's) got a lot of skill and speed."

Chicago's decision to bring in the 24-year-old hinged on the team's belief that he has more to give at the NHL level.

"He's been an accomplished player at a lot of different levels," Bowman said. "He's shown flashes in the NHL ... There has to be a level of patience, but the potential is great."

The numbers back up Bowman's belief. While Jurco has posted just 39 points through 159 appearances in the NHL, he was a much more consistent contributor before coming to the big leagues.

The Slovakian winger scored at a point-per-game pace during his final season in the AHL, amassing 13 goals and 32 points in 32 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Jurco was even more dominant in juniors - during his final season with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs, he racked up 30 goals and 68 points in just 48 games.

Whether he's able to raise his offensive ceiling closer to that level in Chicago remains to be seen, but Bowman said he saw something familiar in the former Red Wings' game.

The veteran manager suggested Jurco's skill set is similar to that of Richard Panik, who's in the midst of a career-best campaign now that he's settled in with the Blackhawks. Panik was traded to Chicago last season after spending the majority of the year with the Toronto Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate.

He finished 2015-16 with the Blackhawks, and now has 16 goals and 32 points through 61 appearances this season. The hope is that Jurco finds similar improvement with his new team.

"Sometimes a player needs a different opportunity," Bowman said. "He's very excited."