Shortly after the Chicago Blackhawks fell in the NHL Draft Lottery to No. 4 overall, I identified three potential trade targets if they were to trade the pick for a proven NHL star. Each of those players would provide a big boost to the Blackhawks’ starting lineup at the start of next season and give them a chance to at least compete for the playoffs.
But what if they didn’t make the No. 4 pick… and also didn’t pick up an NHL star? The Blackhawks moving their first-round pick has been a rumor that has picked up plenty of smoke already, but based on recent reports, they don’t necessarily have to move down. Another team inside the top five—the Sharks—are reportedly “willing to listen on that second-overall pick,” according to David Pagnotta.
The two aren’t ideal trade candidates at first glance, with both being in the same boat of being willing to move their high pick for present help. But the Sharks need defensemen, and with Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg likely going at one and two, that leaves Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, and Carson Carels, among others, potentially available at No. 4. Why wouldn’t the Sharks drop down two spots and pick up more assets along the way?
At the same time, we’ve been saying for at least a year now that the Blackhawks need more quality, not quantity, of prospects. The cupboards are full, but they could use a few more future stars (like Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar). The team has said that they expect to be in playoff contention next season, and the prospect that gets them there isn’t Reid or Carels, it’s Stenberg. And they’re not getting him at No. 4—even if the Sharks pass on him for a defenseman, he isn’t getting past the Canucks at No. 3. If the Blackhawks like what they see from Stenberg, this is the move they’ll have to make.
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To be clear, this isn’t a move I think Chicago is likely to make—they could auction off the No. 4 pick for a veteran and get a safer return. But if they have their eyes firmly set on Stenberg, this would be a great way to make a huge splash and raise their long-term ceiling. But what would it take to move up to No. 2? Would No. 4, Kevin Korchinski, and a 2027 pick get it done? The Blackhawks would probably jump on that in a heartbeat. If it takes much more than that, Chicago is probably better off making the pick or trading it for a big-name star.
