What was supposed to be a showcase and celebration of the city of Chicago at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft quickly turned emotional Friday. Earlier in the week, Blackhawks fans learned they would be without forward Marian Hossa next season and beyond due to a severe skin allergey.
Then Friday afternoon, the Blackhawks traded defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Arizona Coyotes, followed by another trade sending forward Artemi Panarin to Columbus in exchange for former Blackhawk forward Brandon Saad. Both trades happened within an hour of each other, leaving ‘Hawks fans in a flurry of emotions.
That night at the draft, the Blackhawks organization put on a smile for the thousands in attendance, but sadness and uncertainly filled the air.