The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired veteran forward Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in a one-for-one trade for forward Joe Veleno, both teams announced on Saturday.
Burakovsky, 30, brings a wealth of experience, including two Stanley Cup championships, to a rebuilding Blackhawks team. The Austrian-born Swede won with the Washington Capitals in 2018 and the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
In the 2024-25 season with the Kraken, Burakovsky recorded 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points in 79 games. After battling injuries in the previous two seasons, he remained relatively healthy for the duration of the last campaign.
The move provides the Blackhawks with a skilled, top-six winger to bolster their offense. Burakovsky has two seasons remaining on his five-year, $27.5 million contract, which carries an average annual value of $5.5 million.
"We are excited to welcome Andre to the Blackhawks," said General Manager Kyle Davidson in a statement. "His offensive talent and championship pedigree will be a great addition to our forward group and will help our young players in their development."
Going to Seattle is 25-year-old center Joe Veleno. In 74 games last season split between the Detroit Red Wings and the Blackhawks, Veleno registered 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points.
For the Kraken, this trade clears significant salary cap space. In a statement, Kraken General Manager Ron Francis thanked Burakovsky for his contributions to the team and wished him the best in Chicago. The move is seen as a step to provide more flexibility for the Kraken's roster and financial future.
