Chicago Blackhawks acquire Stanley Cup Champion from the Seattle Kraken: It's drawing harsh criticism

The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Joe Veleno to the Seattle Kraken and, in return, would receive Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky.

For four seasons, he's been a key role player in the Seattle Kraken's lineup and could add some needed depth to Chicago's current youth group.

Burakovsky would play 79 games last season in Seattle and score 37 points (10-27). While he's not a regular top-six player, he offers production, albeit limited.

Instead of keeping Joe Veleno and taking advantage of his value, they swapped Veleno for Burakovsky.

The team would again bring in another veteran face in the lineup in Burakovsky, making $5.5 million and adding negative contract value to the books while prospects remain in the out of the lineup due to his arrival.

Fans would let Kyle Davidson have it:

While at face value it seems like a terrible contract, you're paying considerably more for not only 10 goals but also 20 more points than Veleno had last season, which in total was 17.

It does seem bad in hindsight, but as a placeholder, which we hope Burakovsky is at this point in time, he could hold a spot in the lineup until another prospect is ready to make the jump.

I guess it is a good thing that the Blackhawks didn't sacrifice any draft capital while they were at it.