Calder Cup champion Forsberg heading to Hawks

Photo: John Saraya

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired forward Brandon Saad, goaltender Anton Forsberg and a fifth-round draft pick in 2018 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Artemi Panarin and Tyler Motte and a sixth-round draft pick in 2017.

Forsberg, 24, has been one of the AHL’s top goaltenders over the last three seasons, compiling a record of 73-35-10 with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and nine shutouts in 126 appearances with Cleveland/Lake Erie and Springfield.

In 2016-17, Forsberg played 51 games for Cleveland. He finished third in the AHL in minutes played (2,976) and third in save percentage (.926), going 27-17-4 with a 2.28 GAA and four shutouts. He also represented the Monsters at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic in Lehigh Valley.

Forsberg helped Lake Erie to the Calder Cup championship in 2015-16, going 23-10-5 (2.40, .914) in the regular season before posting a perfect 9-0 record with a 1.34 GAA and a .949 save percentage in 10 playoff appearances.

Motte, 22, split time between Chicago and AHL Rockford as a rookie during the 2016-17 season, tallying 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 43 games with the IceHogs and four goals and three assists in 33 contests with the Blackhawks.