Written by Chris Hine at Chicago Tribune
Ever since Johnny Oduya went to the Stars in free agency after the 2015 Stanley Cup run, the Blackhawks have been searching for a defenseman to fill the role he played for them in those playoffs — a defensively dependable blue liner who could eat up 20-plus minutes per night if coach Joel Quenneville asked.
After going through several candidates who didn’t stick a season ago, the Hawks now are turning to … Johnny Oduya.
General manager Stan Bowman said he didn’t envision the Hawks making a big splash before the Wednesday trade deadline, but he delivered a cannonball Tuesday in bringing back the 35-year-old defenseman who helped the Hawks win two Stanley Cups.
The deal came together quickly Tuesday night, a source said. On its face, the Hawks appear not to have surrendered much for Oduya, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. They traded forward prospect Mark McNeill, who was languishing in Rockford and never quite could crack the Hawks’ roster, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft that could become a third-rounder if the Hawks win two playoff series this season and Oduya plays in 50 percent of the games.
To make the deal work for the salary-cap strapped Hawks, a source told the Tribune the Stars are responsible for half of Oduya’s $3.75 million salary and cap hit.
The price for Oduya was likely lower than it otherwise would be because of injury issues Oduya has battled. Oduya missed much of the last month because of a nagging ankle injury, but he was healthy enough to return to the lineup Sunday against the Bruins and log 18 minutes, 28 seconds of ice time. Oduya also missed time in November and December and has played in just 37 games this season. He has one goal and six assists.
Stars general manager Jim Nill said the Hawks were one of several teams inquiring about Oduya over the last few weeks. He said Oduya is fully healthy now.
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