Brandon Saad of the Chicago Blackhawks holds the Stanley Cup trophy during the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Championship Rally in Chicago, Illinois, June 18, 2015. — Reuters CHICAGO — Brandon Saad, a 22-year-old left wing who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win two of the past three National Hockey League titles, was traded Tuesday to Columbus in a seven-player deal. The Blackhawks, who defeated Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final earlier this month, sent Saad, defenseman Michael Paliotta and forward Alex Broadhurst to the Blue Jackets for forwards Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp and Marko Dano plus a 2016 NHL Draft fourth-round selection. “We're very excited to bring Brandon Saad — a two-time Stanley Cup champion with great size, speed, power and the ability to score goals — to our organization,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “He's a proven winner and exactly the kind of player we want.” Saad had an NHL career-best 23 goals and set up 29 others over 82 games this season, but contributed eight goals in the Blackhawks' playoff title run. He had 52 goals over four seasons with Chicago, which ensured getting a return on the talented playmaker. Saad becomes a restricted free agent if not signed by Wednesday. Austrian Dano, 20, was a 2013 first-round pick of the Blue Jackets with had eight goals this season. Russia's Anisimov, 27, had seven goals this season while Morin, a 24-year-old American, had been traded by Chicago to Columbus last December for defenseman Tim Erixon. American Paliotta, 22, made his pro debut with the Blackhawks in April while Broadhurst, 22, spent the season with Chicago's top developmental team. Coyotes acquire Gordon Boyd Gordon never really wanted to leave Arizona, so the veteran forward is thrilled to be back in the desert. The Coyotes filled a need at center Tuesday, acquiring Gordon from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Lauri Korpikoski. “It was tough to leave Phoenix,” Gordon said. “I heard the news today and I'm excited to come back.” Gordon was a steadying influence with Arizona from 2011-13, helping the Coyotes reach the 2012 Western Conference finals with his heady play, penalty killing and faceoff ability. The Coyotes wanted to keep Gordon after his contract expired in 2013, but couldn't match the three-year, $9 million deal Edmonton gave him. The 31-year-old Gordon had six goals and seven assists while ranking 11th in the NHL with a 55.9 percent faceoff percentage in 68 games with Edmonton last season. He had 12 goals and 25 assists during his previous stint with Arizona and is expected to provide veteran leadership while the Coyotes rebuild with young, talented players. “We know what we're getting,” Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. “I don't think much has changed in his game.” — Agencies
