Patrick Sharp’s tenure in Chicago has met its end.
#Blackhawks acquire defenseman Trevor Daley, forward Ryan Garbutt from DAL for Patrick Sharp, Stephen Johns. Release: http://t.co/sI09iPO2p6
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 11, 2015
With the Blackhawks up against the salary cap, moves have been expected, and Sharp is the latest to move. The 33-year old winger has two years left on his five-year $29.5 million contract that has a cap hit of $5.9 million per season. Sharp has been a consistent scoring forward coming off a career year in 2013-14, where he potted 34 goals and 78 points in 82 games. He has eclipsed the 30-goal mark four times since 2005-06 when he was traded to the Blackhawks from the Philadelphia Flyers. Also since joining the Hawks he’s played 80+ games four times, playing below 70 twice.
He’s been bit a little by the injury bug this season and hasn’t equaled his production from last season, and due to some recent struggles and rumors about a divided locker room, a change of scenery seemed to be the best thing for Sharp and the organization. To the Stars he brings a prolific scoring prowess that has the potential to be dangerous at any time. In the two Stanley Cup runs made with the Blackhawks in 2010 and 2013, he had 11 goals and 22 points in the 2010 postseason and ten goals and 16 points in 2013. For the Stars, this could be a missing piece that has just been filled to become a legitimate threat in the western conference.
This post-season, Sharp contributed in a complimentary role, scoring five goals and adding ten assists in 23 games, en route to Chicago’s third Stanley Cup victory in the last six years.
Sharp won an Olympic Gold Medal with Team Canada in Sochi 2014 and has three Stanley Cups with Chicago.
Daley has been a member of the Stars his entire career, starting in the 2003-04 season. He is just coming off a career year statistically speaking, as he set new career bests in goals (16), assists (22), and points (38). He can fit in on the second pairing in Chicago, filling the void left by Johnny Oduya. If Oduya returns to Chicago he could give the Hawks some depth on their third pairing and power play.
Garbutt just entered the NHL four seasons ago, despite being 29 years old. He is known for his rough style of play, and gives the Blackhawks more options in their bottom six forward group.
Main Photo via Getty Images/NHL Collection
