Your Call: Who won the Panarin/Saad trade?

It’s been a busy offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks. They lost veteran star Marian Hossa for who knows how long, they traded long-time defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and shipped 30+ goal scorer Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Coming back to Chicago in the Panarin deal is former Blackhawks sniper Brandon Saad.

The full deal: 

To Chicago: Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg, 2018 5th round pick

To Columbus: Artemi Panarin, Tyler Motte, 2017 6th round pick

On paper the trade looks fairly even. Forsberg is a 24-year-old goaltender with some NHL upside, just as Motte is a 22-year-old forward with some NHL upside. Whatever becomes of them or the picks included in the deal is somewhat of a mystery at this point, so we can only really compare Saad and Panarin. While Saad has the more accomplished NHL career at this point despite being one year younger, his statistics from last season don’t even come close to Panarin’s.

Panarin put up 31 goals and 75 points for a 0.9 points-per-game average in 2016-17. By comparison Saad managed 24 goals and 53 points for a 0.65 points-per-game average. The mitigating factor in all of this? Patrick Kane. How much of Panarin’s point total was inflated simply by virtue of playing alongside Kane, one of the NHL’s most talented playmakers? Can Saad put up the same numbers if given the opportunity? It’s tough to say.

Regardless, both youngsters are supremely skilled, yet you can argue that Saad brings a little more utility to the Hawks lineup. The 6’1”, 202 lb winger can play a physical game and even kill penalties when required. Did the Hawks just re-acquire one of the missing pieces from their championship lineup? 

What do you think? Who won the Panarin/Saad trade?