(670 The Score) The Blackhawks’ salary cap space came in handy Wednesday evening.
Chicago acquired a pair of draft picks and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev from the Ottawa in exchange for future considerations. The deal was a salary dump by the Senators, as they sent a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Blackhawks to get rid of Zaitsev, who carries a $4.5-million cap hit through the end of the 2023-’24 season.
With the added picks, the Blackhawks now own seven selections in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft, including two in the first round and three in the second round.
Zaitsev, 31, had five assists in 28 games for Ottawa this season. He has 108 points in his seven-year NHL career.
“We are getting an NHL-caliber defenseman and acquiring very valuable draft capital in this upcoming draft and beyond,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “Nikita gives us added depth on the right side, and we anticipate him joining us soon.”
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