This story is part of our weekly Friday Insider staff column, which takes you inside the world of Chicago sports.
Maxim Shalunov could have been just what the Blackhawks needed. Or maybe he would not have helped them avoid a first-round playoff sweep by Nashville.
And that’s what it came down to for the Blackhawks.
While the Blackhawks feel fortunate Shalunov, a 2011 fourth-round pick who could have very well been written off, has developed into a productive KHL player, they weren’t confident enough in his abilities now to risk signing him and not having him pan out.