Blackhawks acquire De Haan, Saarela from Canes for Forsberg, Forsling
The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Aleksi Saarela from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goaltender Anton Forsberg and blue-liner Gustav Forsling, the teams announced on Monday.
There are three seasons remaining on De Haan's current deal at a cap hit of $4.55 million. The 28-year-old appeared in 73 games for the Hurricanes in 2018-19, notching 14 points while averaging 18:31 of ice time per contest. However, he underwent shoulder surgery in May and was given a recovery timeline of four-to-six weeks.
Saarela, a 22-year-old center, spent last season with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers, putting up 54 points in 69 games.
In Forsberg, the Hurricanes get some insurance in goal, as both incumbent netminders Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney are pending unrestricted free agents. The 26-year-old Swede is an RFA after posting a .908 save percentage in 35 appearances this past season.
Forsling, also an RFA, played 43 games for the Blackhawks and registered nine points in 2018-19.