The Chicago Blackhawks made a few of their own moves at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline to stock up on picks at this year’s NHL draft. With the Blackhawks falling out of the playoff race, they became sellers at the deadline for the first time in almost a decade.
Chicago is currently 11 points back of a wild card spot and would have to jump four teams to reach the playoffs this year. It’s unlikely, so now the team has turned to the future of the franchise.
Here are the moves they made today:
Trade 1
The Blackhawks trade Ryan Hartman and a 2018 5th round pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 1st and 4th round picks in the 2018 draft and forward Victor Ejdsell.
Victor Ejdsell is a 6-foot-5, 214-pound forward from Sweden with great hands and a nasty wrist shot. The Blackhawks were actively pursuing Ejdsell at the beginning of the year, but decided to sign with the Predators.
The Blackhawks needed size and skill, with Victor Ejdsell they have that.
This trade was a no brainer for the Blackhawks, a lot of fans liked Hartman but Bowman was able to flip a bottom six player for a 1st, 4th and a prospect. The Blackhawks definitely won this trade and are actively trying to rebuild on the fly in the same fashion as the Bruins did a few years back.
Trade 2
The Blackhawks also traded Tommy Wingels to the Boston Bruins for a 5th round pick. Wingels is a UFA this summer so it makes sense to get at least a pick for him, it’s also possible that he signs back with the Blackhawks next year.
The Blackhawks now have 9 picks in the 2018 draft and will most likely add to that total on draft day. As they are building for the future, stocking up picks has been a priority.
Is goaile depth a problem the Chicago Blackhawks need to address?
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