Brandon Saad is back where it all began.

The 24-year-old was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Chicago Blackhawks as part of a deal that saw Artemi Panarin sent the other way.

Saad rejoins the club that drafted him in the second round in 2011 and where he played his first three full years in the league before the team was forced to reluctantly deal him away two years ago.

"It was a tough move a couple of years ago to have to make that trade," general manager Stan Bowman said, according to CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers. "Today my conversation had a much different tone.

"We always hoped to get him back here at some point."

Meanwhile, Saad admits that the feeling was mutual, though he never envisioned it happening so quickly.

"Definitely a thought in my mind of possibly ending up in Chicago (again)." Saad said.

Of course Saad is looking forward to possibly being reunited with Jonathan Toews.

"He's been a great friend. Getting that chance to play back with him, he's an incredible player," Saad said of Toews. "Someone I had early success with early in my career. To be reunited will definitely be fun to get that opportunity."

In four years spent with the Blackhawks, Saad tallied 52 goals and 126 points in 208 games while adding another 37 points in 72 playoff games.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.