The Chicago Blackhawks have not been in a position to buy at the trade deadline in quite some time. Based on the decision that the front office made to rebuild once the 2021 season got off to a poor start, that is the position they have been in ever since.
Trading away Patrick Kane in 2022 was a sign to the fanbase that this team would be tough to watch for a little while. When looking at the grand scheme of the things, the Blackhawks haven’t been competitive since 2017. This doesn’t include the bubble series in 2020 when they knocked the Oilers out of the different style of the playoffs that season. Based on how things are trending this year, Chicago should be in a position to sell once again.
Report indicates the Chicago Blackhawks trade deadline plans
Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported what most believed to be true in the fact that Chicago will be sellers at the deadline this year. However, she threw in an extra tidbit of information that should catch the attention of fans.
“The Blackhawks will once again be trade deadline sellers, but GM Kyle Davidson feels less pressure to get 1st round picks in return this year,” Kaplan says.
When looking at the Blackhawks roster, there aren’t many pieces that Davidson would likely be willing to move that would net a first round draft choice. However, this notion that he doesn’t feel pressure to get a selection of that magnitude can infer what his intentions are at the deadline. While the assets Chicago could move won’t bring back a first rounder, this mindset from Davidson could show that he might not be willing to part with players just because they are on expiring contracts.
For the team currently sitting in dead last place of the entire league, it is usually a given that any players on an expiring deal will be moved. However, the Blackhawks already have a surplus of draft picks moving forward and they have held a boatload of selections over the past few seasons.
While many believe that there can never be too many draft picks and prospects within an organization, there is truly a limit for Chicago on how many young assets they should have. If they move off expiring deals every year in this rebuild just to do so, there won’t be a consistent on-ice product and it won’t allow for the young cornerstones on the roster to fully develop the way that they should.
There are two prime candidates for the Chicago Blackhawks to trade
If Chicago decides to make any moves at the deadline this year, two veteran forwards are obvious candidates for trades. Ryan Donato and Taylor Hall are in the boat of having their deals with the club run out after this season. Chicago signed Donato last summer, and acquired Hall alongside current captain, Nick Foligno in a trade with Boston last year.
Donato is having himself a fine season so far through 42 games. The 28-year-old has 13 goals and 11 assists in his second season as a Blackhawk. He already has one more goal this year than all of last season and has settled in nicely in Chicago’s top six. Donato would make a great addition to a contender and should bring back a third or fourth round draft choice to the Blackhawks.
Hall has been a consistent contributor for the Chicago Blackhawks in his second year with the team. He has eight goals and 14 assists through 43 games after having his last season cut short due to a torn ACL. The former number one overall pick has been around the league and a contender would know exactly what they are getting in him. He is healthy and brings a winning pedigree to the table when given the opportunity to play on a team moving in the right direction.
Neither one of these players would bring a first round pick back to Chicago, but the front office will certainly take calls on them as the trade deadline nears. While keeping veteran forwards like these guys around Connor Bedard is important, Davidson needs to do what is best for the franchise moving forward. He won’t make a trade just to make one, but he also will not pass on a deal that makes sense for the team’s future.
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