Blackhawks acquire Andre Burakovsky in 1 for 1 trade deal.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Seattle Kraken have struck a deal on Saturday morning.

In an official announcement, the Blackhawks have confirmed that they have acquired veteran forward Andre Burakovsky in exchange for forward Joe Veleno in what is a 1 for 1 trade deal.

Both men are former first round picks although Burakovsky has had significantly more experience at the National Hockey League level at this point in their respective careers.

Burakovsky, who was selected 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, is a veteran of 696 NHL games with 153 goals and 234 assists to his name for a career total of 387 points in the regular season. He also boasts 93 games of playoff experience at the NHL level where he has 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points.

Veleno, who was selected 25th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft is 5 years younger than Burakovsky but has done significantly less at the NHL level. Veleno has appeared in 306 career games in the NHL with 38 goals and 43 assists for 81 career points in the NHL.

The Kraken are clearing significant cap space with this trade by shedding Burakovsky's cap hit of $5.5 million for the next two years while taking on Veleno's cap hit of $2.275 million with only 1 year remaining on his deal. Veleno will be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract term as well which also gives the Kraken significant control over the player moving forward whereas Burakovsky will be an unrestricted free agent moving forward.

In Burakovsky the Blackhawks acquire a player that is 5 years older but also one that brings a high level of quality experience to the table. Burakovsky is a two time Stanley Cup champion having won hockey's greatest prize as both a member of the Washington Capitals and the Colorado Avalanche, and the Blackhawks are no doubt hoping some of that championship experience will rub off on their younger players, like star forward Connor Bedard.

Let me know what you think of this deal in the comments.