Florida and Chicago Completing Multi-Player Trade

According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers are finalizing a multi-player trade that will see the Panthers send Riley Stillman and Brett Connolly to the Blackhawks.

The 28-year-old Connolly has two years left on his contract that sees him making $3.5 million per season and given he's only managed four points in 21 games and has been scratched multiple times, it's likely the Panthers will have to retain some of his salary to facilitate this deal. As for Stillman, the 23-year-old defenseman is a pending restricted free-agent who was originally drafted in the 4th-round of the 2016 draft. This season Stillman has recorded a plus two rating in eight games with the Panthers.

Trade call with NHL hasn't happened on this deal yet, just FYI. https://t.co/PNHDsA3APb
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 8, 2021

It's unusual to see two teams from the same division complete a deal, especially one being in first place and the other pushing for a playoff spot.

Full Details of the Deal:

Full trade:

Brett Connolly, Riley Stillman and Henrik Borgstrom plus a 7th Rd pick in exchange for Lucas Carlsson and Lucas Wallmark.

Connolly has 2 more yrs at $3.5M AAV. Florida freeing up cap space as part of this. Hawks using their cap space to net 2 young players
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 8, 2021