Blackhawks acquire Samsonov from Canadiens

Just what Chicago needs: another underachieving Russian.

Chicago acquired former rookie of the year Sergei Samsonov from Montreal for defenseman Jassen Cullimore and forward Tony Salmelainen -- so much for me buying that No. 8 sweater.

This could turn out to be a steal for Chicago. Samsonov was selected eighth overall by Boston in 1997 entry draft, and went on to win the 1998 Calder Trophy after notching 22 goals and 47 points in 81 games with the Bruins.

Samsonov had 11 assists and 15 points with Edmonton during its Stanley Cup run in 2006, and parlayed that into a lucrative free agent contract with the bleu, blanc et rouge. He played in 63 games for the Canadiens last season, recording nine goals and 17 assists.

"We feel he has a lot left in the tank and playing under Denis Savard will bring out the offensive creativity that he has shown in the past," Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said Saturday.

Samsonov, who scored 29 goals in 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, was a healthy scratch in the Habs' last 13 games after he questioned whether he made the right move in signing a two-year deal with the Canadiens worth just over $7 million.

General manager Bob Gainey said after the season that Samsonov would not be coming back.

A couple years ago, the Hawks signed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year deal valued at $27 million. He's 42-52-11 with a 3.08 goals-against average halfway through that deal.