Niklas Hjalmarsson, acquired Friday in a trade with the Blackhawks, immediately upgrades Arizona’s blue line, giving it a legit top pairing by uniting Hjalmarsson with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. And although Hjamlarsson was shocked by the news he’d been traded by the Blackhawks – the team he’d spent his entire NHL career with – he’s looking forward to a new challenge with the Coyotes.
"It was a lot of mixed emotions in the beginning there, the first 24 hours," Hjalmarsson said. "But at the same time, I'm excited for the new opportunity and being part of kind of a rebuild in Arizona with a lot of new faces and a lot of young and promising players. So I'm excited."
Hjalmarsson, 30, wanted to finish out his five-year, $20.5 million deal in Chicago since he signed long-term to stay there, but his contract did include a modified no-trade clause. He knew his name had popped up in trade rumors, and once the Blackhawks asked for a list of 10 teams he’d accept a trade to, it sunk in he probably wouldn't be suiting up for Chicago anymore.
“It’s going to take some time to get used to that thought,” said Hjalmarsson, who is under contract for two more years. “At the same time, I’m trying to always be a positive guy.”