Stan Bowman said he wanted to keep Brandon Saad. The forward said he wanted to remain with the Blackhawks, as well.
But on Tuesday, the biggest surprise in some time happened. Instead of signing Saad, the Blackhawks traded him.
The Blackhawks sent Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets for four players, including Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano and former Blackhawks forward Jeremy Morin. Elliotte Friedman and Bob McKenzie were the first to report the trade.
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The move was a stunner, considering that Bowman said earlier this month that the Blackhawks intended to sign Saad.