Recap: Florida Panthers Trade Frolik to Chicago Blackhawks

In a somewhat expected/not expected move, the Chicago Blackhawks have traded former seventh overall pick, Jack Skille, to the Florida Panthers, along with AHL forward Hugh Jessiman and prospect F David Pacan.

What is a bit surprising however, is what Florida GM Dave Tallon gave up in exchange for Skille, who is perceived as a draft bust, and two minor league forwards who likely will not see much time in the NHL in their careers.

The Blackhawks were able to get forward Michael Frolik, a young player who has shown offensive ability, and perhaps with the right line-mates (such as Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane) can get more scoring chances. They were also able to get prospect goaltender Alexander Salak from the Panthers.

Salak is playing in the Swedish Elite League this season, and he is doing rather well over there, leading the league in save percentage (.925), posting six shutouts, and a 2.04 GAA in 41 games for Farjestad. He has already had success at the AHL level as well, posting a 29-14 record and a .910 save percentage and being named to the AHL All-Star Game last season, with Florida's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

In short, the Blackhawks were able to get a top-notch goaltending prospect, as well as a young forward with plenty of potential in Frolik, who looks like he could excel in the right situation. That ideal situation might be right in Chicago, as we can expect to see Frolik playing with better talent than he was with in Florida.

This can only be a positive factor. Plus, the Hawks have players who can score, which will take a lot of pressure off the young kid, who will be expected to produce, but not to shoulder a heavy burden as a he was taxed with during his time with the Panthers.

What does Florida get out of this deal? Well, Dale Tallon drafted Jack Skille seventh overall in 2005, and several eyebrows were raised with this off-the-board pick, and well, the eyebrows remain raised.

There is obviously something about Skille's potential that Tallon sees that we don't, but until Skille develops some form of consistency on the NHL level, we will rightfully remain skeptical of this draft choice. Tallon now has the chance, since being fired from Chicago's front office, to show everyone what type of player Jack Skille can be on the offensively anemic Florida Panthers.

You can be sure that Skille will get far more ice time in Florida than he did on the Hawks, and perhaps that's all Skille needed these last few seasons. For now, the jury is still out on him. This season, Skille has 17 points (7 G, 10 A) in 49 games for Chicago.

Jessiman, who was also a draft bust (12th overall, 2003 draft) has just 3 goals and 2 assists in 25 games for Chicago's AHL affiliate in Rockford this season. He has never played in the National Hockey League.

Pacan is an intriguing prospect. He was a sixth round pick of the Blackhawks in 2009, but has put up modest offensive numbers for Niagara of the OHL this season (14 G, 29 A, 43 P). His impact in the NHL obviously remains to be seen.

My take: Regardless of Tallon's motives for this trade, and there are many possibilities (cap space, being re-united with Skille, etc), The Blackhawks won this trade in a landslide, barring Jack Skille turning into an absolute stud. Frolik will thrive in Chicago, with less pressure and better talent surrounding him, despite the fact that his ice time may drop. However, if he succeeds offensively, and I believe he will, he will be rewarded with more ice time.