For more on this story, check out SB Nation Chicago.
Clearing Space: Chicago Sends Byfuglien, Sopel, Eager To Atlanta For Reasoner, Morin, Picks
The Chicago Blackhawks have made the blockbuster trade everybody knew they would be forced to make. Playoff hero Dustin Byfuglien is heading to the Atlanta Thrashers, along with Brent Sopel and Ben Eager. Prospect Akim Aliu also heads south.
In exchange, the Thrashers send Marty Reasoner, 2009 draft pick Jeremy Morin, the 24th overall pick and the 54th overall pick in this year's Draft. The deal was reported by Kevin Allen of USA Today and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.
Ironically, our Thrashers blog, Bird Watchers Anonymous, wrote a lengthy piece on Tuesday about how the Blackhawks cap crunch will force them to make trades, and readers of BWA opined in the comments on how the two teams could make a deal. That’s obviously come to fruition today.
We talked here yesterday about how the Blackhawks were asking for a first-round pick and a prospect in return for Byfuglien. Well, it took adding a few players on each end, but ultimately, that’s what they got for number 33.
The other subplot here, of course, is that Sopel was slated to march with his family and the Stanley Cup in the Chicago Gay Pride parade on Sunday. It’ll be interesting to see that dynamic should Sopel still decide to march.
Again, for more on this story, check out SB Nation Chicago, Second City Hockey and Bird Watchers Anonymous.
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