Blackhawks Acquire Frolik, Salak from Panthers for Skille, Jessiman, Pacan

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Wednesday night that they have acquired right wing Michael Frolik and goaltender Alexander Salak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wings Jack Skille and Hugh Jessiman and prospect center David Pacan. Frolik, Salak, and Skille will all be eligible for restricted free agency in July, while Jessiman will be an unrestricted free agent. In 52 games this season, Frolik has eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, while Skille has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 49 games. In 41 games with Farjestad BK of the Swedish Elite League, Salak has a 2.04 GAA, a .925 save percentage, and six shutouts. Jessiman has three goals and two assists for five points in 25 games with Rockford of the AHL, while Pacan has 43 points in 47 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Frolik has lots of offensive skill and scoring potential. He does have some consistency issues, but perhaps getting a new start with Chicago will help him improve his offensive game. Skille has some size, can play a physical game, and goal-scoring upside, but also suffers from consistency issues. Perhaps more ice time in Florida will help him improve his game. Pacan gives the Panthers a promising center who has lots of size and some offensive upside who could likely make the team a few seasons down the road. Salak gives the Blackhawks a talented goaltender with plenty of size who works hard in the net, and could potentially see some NHL action with the team in the future. Jessiman gives the Panthers a physical winger who can score at the AHL level, but has never been able to crack an NHL lineup. He will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Brophey, Bickell, Davis; Add Jessiman

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed centers Evan Brophey and Nathan Davis to one-year contracts and left wing Bryan Bickell to a three-year contract. The team also announced that they have signed free agent right wing Hugh Jessiman to a one-year contract. Financial terms of all four deals were not disclosed. Bickell could make the Blackhawks next season given their salary cap constraints and open forward positions. If he does, he will bring plenty of size and strength to the wing. Brophey, Davis, and Jessiman are really just depth signings for the team and will likely spend much of next season in the minors.

Predators Re-Sign Forward Jessiman

The Nashville Predators announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed right wing High Jessiman to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for free agency this summer. The Predators acquired Jessiman from the New York Rangers in October in exchange for future considerations. He didn't see any time with the Predators this season, spending most of it with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. In 67 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, Jessiman scored 20 goals and seven assists for 27 points. He has yet to play in an NHL game. With the Predators still watching their spending, this is likely just a depth signing for the team. However, his 20 goals at the AHL level has likely impressed management and he will likely get a shot at making the team at training camp this fall, though if he makes the team, he will probably be little more than a fourth line forward.

Predators Swing Two Minor Trades

The Nashville Predators on Thursday swung two minor trades. In the first, they acquired defenseman Tim Ramholt from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for left wing Josh Gratton. In the second, the Predators acquired right wing Hugh Jessiman from the New York Rangers in exchange for future considerations. Both Jessiman and Ramholt were assigned to the Predators' AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. Gratton had originally signed as a free agent with the Predators over the summer to a one year contract in an enforcer role, but was demoted to the minors during the preseason after taking too many errant penalties and unnecessary fighting majors. The two trades are likely just depth moves for their AHL affiliate, but both players could possibly see time with the team this season if injuries should start to mount.