Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman: Interest In Johnny Oduya Long-standing But ‘Price Had To Be Right’

The Chicago Blackhawks re-acquired defenseman Johnny Oduya on Tuesday in a trade with the Dallas Stars.

Blackhawks Get Johnny Oduya In Trade With Stars

The Stars get former Blackhawks first-round pick Mark McNeill as part of the trade, as well as a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

Oduya will become a free agent at the end of the regular season, and according to reports, Dallas will retain half of his salary for the rest of the season in order to make the trade work.

Blackhawks vice president and general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday that the team has been interest in the 35-year-old Swede for a long time, although “the price had to be right.”

As part of the deal, the Blackhawks (39-18-5, 2nd in Central Division) have placed fellow Swedish defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson on injured reserve as he continues to deal with an upper-body injury. Hjalmarsson, who exited Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Coyotes early, has already missed one game and is set to miss at least three more, according to head coach Joel Quenneville.

Chicago have won four straight games and nine of their last 10. They next host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 18: Johnny Oduya #47 of the Dallas Stars in action during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 6-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)