In what seems like the last deal of the trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks have sent Kenton Helgesen and a seventh-round pick in 2019 to the Chicago Blackhawks for Spencer Abbott and Sam Carrick.
Abbott and Carrick have been playing for the Rockford IceHogs where they lead the team in scoring with 38 and 25 points respectively (Carrick was actually tied with another recently traded IceHog, Mark McNeil). Both have limited NHL action but are excellent minor-league players. The San Diego Gulls—Anaheim’s affiliate—are headed to the playoffs and will use both as depth for a Calder Cup run.
The fact that Chicago gained a seventh-round pick is kind of surprising, as a player like P.A. Parenteau earned New Jersey just a sixth-rounder. Helgesen is a 22-year old winger who has spent the season in the ECHL and is unlikely to ever make it to the NHL.
I don’t get this trade by the Hawks. Two point-producing players in the AHL for a guy in the ECHL who’s never going to make the NHL? Can someone explain this move to me?
Ice Hogs going nowhere in AHL right now. Both Carrick and Abbott are UFA’s after this year. Plus this frees up a contract slot for a NCAA player or Shalunov from KHL.