The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Brendan Perlini to the Detroit Red Wings for defenceman prospect Alec Regula.
Perlini, 23, was acquired by the Blackhawks along with Dylan Strome from the Arizona Coyotes last November. While Strome has thrived on his new team, Perlini has not and he’s been a healthy scratch for all but one game this season.
According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, Perlini had requested a trade.
“I think a lot of that stuff is between myself and the team, myself and my agent. I let them handle it. I just continue to play,” Perlini said, according to Powers.
“Obviously I haven’t gotten in many games this year and stuff. That’s something for me, I feel like I got to play. That’s why I play the game, that’s to play hockey, not miss games and stuff. It’s tough. At the same time, I’ve been working hard, trying to do everything possible to try to get in the lineup and play, keep developing and stuff.”
Originally a first-round pick by the Coyotes in 2014, Perlini has yet to find the offensive spark expected of players drafted in his position.
In 200 career games over four seasons with the Coyotes and Blackhawks, Perlini has 45 goals and 72 points.
Regula, 19, was a third-round pick by the Red Wings in 2018. He is currently playing for the OHL’s London Knights.