Marko Dano ‘disappointed’ with how his Hawks stint played out

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — About a week before the trade deadline, the Blackhawks told Marko Dano through his agent that they weren’t planning on dealing him away.

A few days later, Dano was a Winnipeg Jet.

“Surprise!” Dano said with a laugh. “Big time. But it’s a good thing. I’m happy to be here, finally playing in The Show again.”

Dano, 21, was sent to Winnipeg in the Andrew Ladd trade, as the Hawks gave up what was supposed to be a significant part of their future in exchange for a short-term boost. It was a disappointing end to a shockingly short stint with the Hawks for Dano, who came to Chicago with much fanfare, a key part of the Brandon Saad trade on June 30. Dano had eight goals and 13 assists in 35 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, and started training camp this year on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

But he didn’t make the team out of camp, and had just one goal and one assist in a 13-game stint with the Hawks. Dano blamed himself for not playing well enough and not adapting quickly enough to the Hawks’ style of play, but lamented the fact that he never got a second chance after returning to Rockford and playing well (four goals and 19 assists in 34 total games).

Dano has three goals and two assists in his last five games entering Friday night’s game against the Hawks at MTS Centre.

“I finished the year in Columbus, so I was hoping for a bigger chance in Chicago, but that’s how it is,” he said. “I’ve just got to be disappointed in myself, because I didn’t play that well to get more ice time. The transition to Chicago was a little harder, I guess, as it was in here, or in Columbus. I was doing better in Rockford. I got back to my comfort level on the ice, but I didn’t get the second chance. But that’s in the past, I’m happy for the opportunity here, and I think it’s how it should be.”

NOTE: Hawks season-ticket prices will go up an average of 6 percent next season. The most expensive 100-level seats will go for $475 per game, up from $450 last year. The cheapest 300-level seats will go for $55 a game, up from $50. All 200- and 300-level seat increases are between $2-5 per game.