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Blackhawks: Brandon Saad never filled his role in Chicago

Brandon Saad #20, Marian Hossa #81, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Joanthan Daniel/Getty Images)

When the Chicago Blackhawks reacquired Brandon Saad they were hoping they were getting a replacement for the recently retired Marian Hossa, however, that would turn out to be too much pressure to place on the returning forward.

The summer of 2017 is a postseason that will live in infamy when the Chicago Blackhawks would ship Allstar forward Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for dynamic two way forward Brandon Saad.

At the time and upon reflection it was a polarizing deal in which the Blackhawks blew up the dynamic line of Patrick Kane and Panarin to bring in a versatile top-six forward who had more term on his contract for the cash strapped Hawks.