Defensemen Dennis Robertson is headed to the Blackhawks organization as part of a trade between Chicago and Carolina.
The Hurricanes traded Robertson, who appeared in 57 games for the Checkers in his rookie campaign last season, to the Blackhawks along with prospect Jake Massie and a 2017 fifth-round pick. In exchange, the Hurricanes will receive forwards Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom, as well as a 2017 third-round pick.
Robertson, 24, was originally drafted by Toronto and was acquired by Carolina in 2014 as a part of the John-Michael Liles trade. After concluding his four-year career at Brown University, Robertson joined the Checkers and, after spending the majority of the first part of the season as a healthy extra, found himself in the lineup more often as the season went on and finished tied for second among Charlotte blue liners in scoring with 17 points (3g, 14a).
Of the two players that the Hurricanes are getting in return, Nordstrom could spend time in Charlotte, as he is reportedly on a two-way deal. But after spending a significant portion of last season in the NHL with the Blackhawks, there is also a good chance he could stay in Raleigh.
The loss of Robertson frees up a slot on what projected as a crowded Checkers blueline - one that will now presumably be up for grabs among the incoming rookies and offseason signees.
