Trade completed between the Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken: Fans might regret this one

Earlier this summer, the Chicago Blackhawks agreed on the terms of a trade with the Seattle Kraken.

Chicago sent Joe Veleno to the Kraken in return for Andre Burakovsky.

Although Burakovsky could end up proving people wrong by having a great season, parting ways with Veleno, who's now under a one-year contract valued at $900,000 with the Montreal Canadiens, could turn out to be a mistake.

The Canadiens brought in centre Joe Veleno to add much-needed left-handed depth up the middle last month, taking a low-risk shot for under $1 million.

During the 2023-24 season with the Detroit Red Wings, he posted a career-high 12 goals and 28 points in 80 games, but he regressed last season, scoring just 5 goals and 10 points in 56 games before being traded to Chicago, where he added 3 goals and 7 points in 18 games.

Now, in Montreal, he has a chance to bounce back in an organization that has big goals ahead of the 2025-26 season.

For Chicago fans, seeing Veleno get this opportunity in Montreal might be a reminder that the trade didn't necessarily favor the Blackhawks.

As for Burakovsky, the two-time Stanley Cup champion scored 37 points in 79 games with the Kraken. He could thrive in a top-six role in Chicago, depending on how the team performs next season.

While the forward brings scoring potential to Chicago, he also comes with concerns.

The 30-year-old veteran's $5.75 million AAV contract with two more years on it is steep relative to his recent production, and injuries have limited his consistency throughout his career.

Fans are eager to see what kind of impact he'll have on the ice.

They might worry that the cost in terms of salary and long-term flexibility outweighs the benefits but could quickly forget about it if he performs well.