Blackhawks Won't Join Team: Loaned To Lukko For 2024-2025 season
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Finnish Blackhawks prospect, Antti Saarela has had a rough first year in the AHL, with the Rockford IceHogs.
The team has allowed Saarela to return home to Finland to get a fresh start in the Finnish Liiga.
#Blackhawks prospect, Antti Saarela has been loaned to Lukko for the 2024/25 season. The Finnish forward spent last season with the Rockford IceHogs, scoring five goals and an assist in 27 games.
He will join the HC Lukko in the Finnish league after his first season in the AHL saw him 6 points(5 G, 1 A) in 27 games with the IceHogs.
Saarela was a fourth-round pick(123rd overall) in 2019 by the Blackhawks and would have a good season in Finland with Lukko, scoring 18 points in 41 games in 2022-2023.
They would later sign him to an ELC, with a two-year term so they couldn't lose his NHL rights.
Due to injuries, Saarela would struggle and only play 27 games, he would miss post-season play too.
Saarela's contract will be expiring soon and has arbitration rights, but if he doesn't have a good showing in Finland, it appears the team could move towards letting him become a UFA, without a qualifying offer.
Source: Pro Hockey Rumors
Blackhawks Loan Antti Saarela To Finnish League
Blackhawks Loan Antti Saarela To Finnish League
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 87 ANSWERS Blackhawks Won't Join Team: Loaned To Lukko For 2024-2025 season Will Antti Saarela get a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 39.1 % |
| No | 53 | 60.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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