Blackhawks dump Hossa on Coyotes

CHICAGO The Chicago Blackhawks traded Marian Hossa and Vinnie Hinostroza to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, parting with a promising young forward in order to clear out a troublesome contract.

The Blackhawks also sent defenceman Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick in the 2019 draft to the Coyotes for forwards Marcus Kruger, MacKenzie Entwistle and Jordan Maletta, defenceman Andrew Campbell and a fifthround pick in next year’s draft. Kruger was drafted by Chicago and spent his first seven seasons with the Blackhawks before he was traded to Vegas last July.

The 39-year-old Hossa did not play last season because of severe side effects from medication to treat a progressive skin disorder. He isn’t expected to play again, but he is signed through the 2020-21 season at a $5.275 million cap hit.

Hossa signed a $63.3 million, 12-year deal with Chicago in July 2009, and the winger played a crucial role in the Blackhawks going from promising young team to a run of three Stanley Cup titles in six seasons. But the Blackhawks missed the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade, and there is pressure on general manager Stan Bowman to get the team back on track.

The trade gets Hossa’s contract off Chicago’s books, but it comes at a cost. Hinostroza, a 24-year-old Chicago native, set career highs with seven goals and 18 assists in 50 games last season.