Gaudette finished last season with 33 points (12-21-33) in 59 games, so the expectations from the club may have been a bit higher this season, especially recently with Elias Pettersson having missed the last 11 games due to injury. But I’d say most Canucks fans were willing to put up with Gaudette’s current struggles if it means getting to see a Hockey Gaud celly every now and again. After all, there hasn’t been much to celebrate this year.

Gaudette is a pending RFA, while Matthew Highmore still has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $725,000. Maybe the simple fact that the Canucks are tied up when it comes to the salary cap next season, and would perhaps be unable to pay Gaudette, is why this deal had to happen.

Gaudette joins a Blackhawks team looking to make a push for the 4th and final playoff spot, currently four points back, while Highmore joins a Canucks group that is likely to miss the post-season for the fifth time in six years.

We’ll have lots more coverage throughout the coming days breaking down this trade and much more.