Reaction: Andre Burakovsky Deal Another Shrewd Move for Blackhawks

Now that more than 24 hours have passed since the Chicago Blackhawks acquired forward Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken, its time to dive in and react, per se, to the trade. Around the world of Blackhawks coverage, there seems to be a "puzzling feeling" about the trade, insinuating that this isn't a trade that can help the Blackhawks. 

Is Andre Burakovsky the final piece that gets this Blackhawks team over the hump? No. However, he is a player that can thrive when given opportunity to play higher in an everyday lineup than he did in Seattle. In his time with Colorado, Burakovsky played higher in the lineup and put up respectable point totals. 

Look at his numbers. Three seasons of 40 or more points (and one 60-point effort) in Colorado coupled with a near-40-point performance in just 49 games in Seattle in 2022-23 show what Burakovsky can be at his best. Yes, he had some down seasons, although he arguably rebounded nicely this past season, and that can certainly be a concern. However, he should get a lot of run in the Hawks' top-six this season. 

In addition, other veterans were able to post solid career seasons when mixed in with the Connor Bedards and Frank Nazars of the world. Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Ilya Mikheyev were all veterans who saw really good production despite the team struggling overall. Burakovsky feels like a player who could have a season that goes toe-to-toe with his career bests. 

What I'm trying to say is why are there negative feelings about the trade? Yes, it isn't a big, flashy move that fans are itching for, but it is clearly a move to improve the roster for the short-term. The move is also low-risk, with Joe Veleno moving on. Veleno is a lot like many of the players the Blackhawks already have, and Burakovsky is something new to bring a fresh look to the roster. 

In the end, let's sit back and watch what else unfolds between now and the middle of July. However, assuming that Kyle Davidson isn't serious and doesn't have a plan feels like a misled approach. There is a lot more to come as the team moves toward seriousness in the coming seasons.