BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE JOHNSSON AND LEDDY FROM MINNESOTA

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy in exchange for defenseman Cam Barker.

Johnsson, 33, has recorded six goals, eight assists and 26 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Minnesota Wild this season. He leads team blueliners, and ranks second overall, with a +3 plus/minus rating, and leads the club with an average time on ice of 23:46 per game.

The Malmo, Sweden, native is currently in his 10th National Hockey League campaign, collecting 281 points (66G,215A) and 402 penalty minutes in 731 regular-season games with the New York Rangers (1999-2001), Philadelphia Flyers (2001-06), and Minnesota (2006-10).

The New York Rangers’ 15th choice (286th overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Johnsson has posted two goals, ten assists and 38 penalty minutes in 43 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests with Philadelphia and Minnesota. He also competed for Sweden in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Leddy, 18, was the 16th overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Minnesota. He has posted five points (G,4A) in 19 games this season as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. A native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Leddy won the state’s Mr. Hockey Award as a senior while leading Eden Prairie High School to the Minnesota Class AA state championship.

Barker, 23, has compiled 80 points (17G, 63A) in 200 regular-season games with the Blackhawks over the last five seasons since turning pro.  The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has posted four goals and ten assists in 51 games with Chicago this season. He was the Blackhawks’ first choice (third overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft