March 19--Just a week before the NHL trade deadline, Marko Dano wanted to make sure he was staying put with the Blackhawks. So he put a call into his agent, Gerry Johannson, who had just recently spoken with Hawks general manager Stan Bowman.
"I was still in the minors and asking him if they're planning to trade me or call up soon," Dano said. He was talking to Stan and said they're not planning to trade me."
How things can change quickly. A week later, Dano was gone, sent to the Jets along with a first-round pick in this year's draft for winger Andrew Ladd. The two teams will square off Friday.
"It was a little shocking," Dano said.
Dano came to the Hawks as one of the integral pieces, along with center Artem Anisimov, that sent Brandon Saad to the Blue Jackets this offseason. But Dano struggled to crack the Hawks roster on a consistent basis.
He began the season in Rockford when many thought he would have a roster spot from day one. He was eventually called up but played in only 13 games with the Hawks and spent the rest of his time in Rockford. Dano said he was probably "trying too hard" to impress the Hawks and his game got away from him.
But now with the Jets, Dano has a regular role on their NHL roster. He has three goals in 10 games
"(The Hawks) have a great team and a lot of great players so it's hard to get a chance and stay there as a player who can play every game when you're young," Dano said. "Now I'm here and I'm glad for that and I'm trying to do my best."
