After much speculation, Arizona had dealt prized rental forward Antoine Vermette. The winner of the sweepstakes?
Blackhawks trade first-round pick and a prospect to Arizona for Antoine Vermette, still pending NHL trade call
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) 1 Mars 2015
Vermette is 32 years old and set to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He has a $3.75 million cap hit remaining on the five-year deal he signed in 2010 with Columbus. Known for his classic two-way style, the former Blue Jacket and Ottawa Senator has finished in the top ten in faceoff percentage every season since 2011-12. He’s the type of player that teams vying to win the Stanley Cup and/or make noise in the playoffs pick up to bolster their depth at the center ice position. He can get a team a timely goal or win a big faceoff, and play in every game. In fact, he has not missed a game since the 2008-09 season, where he played in 79 contests.
Vermette’s best season came in 2009-10 with the Blue Jackets, which saw him pot 27 goals and total 65 points. His totals died down after the strong season when he focused on that two-way style that makes him such a valuable commodity this time of year, but still scored 24 goals regardless last season. To a contender, Vermette brings playoff experience, poise, and depth that could provide as a missing piece to some teams’ Stanley Cup puzzles.
In return, the Blackhawks send Klas Dahlbeck and a 2015 1st round draft pick.
More details to come.
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