The Chicago Blackhawks made their first of (possibly) a handful of deals on Monday morning, as the NHL Trade Deadline counts down to its 2:00 p.m. CT buzzer.
Chicago is sending forward Matthew Highmore to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Adam Gaudette.
Adam Gaudette to CHI/Matthew Highmore to VAN
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 12, 2021
Highmore has one more year left on his current deal at a $725,000 AAV, while Gaudette will be a restricted free agent this summer. Gaudette’s current deal holds a $950,000 AAV.
Adam Gaudette has had his ups and downs, but he is a much, much better player than Matthew Highmore.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) April 12, 2021
This is a minor deal that actually makes the Blackhawks better in the short-term. Gaudette is a bit more versatile in the lineup than Highmore was, making him a potential regular whereas Highmore couldn’t hold a spot consistently.
Gaudette, the 2018 Hobey Baker Award winner, has seven points in 33 games this season with the Canucks, 52 points in 153 games in his NHL career.