Earlier this week, the Chicago Blackhawks traded the rights of former third-round pick Jack Pridham to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a third-rounder in what could only be considered a horizontal move for the franchise.
The Blackhawks drafted Pridham in 2024 and had high hopes for the 20-year-old, but he made it clear he didn’t want to sign a contract with them.
That marks the second time this has happened to Chicago involving a draft pick in recent years. Remember: last summer, former sixth-round pick Dominic James decided to bolt the Blackhawks in free agency after failing to strike a deal with them, signing with the Lightning.
Scott Powers of The Athletic explained the reason for both flubs, and it’s concerning.
“In both cases, the players didn’t share the Blackhawks’ vision and weren’t completely confident there would be a roster spot waiting for them in the end. They looked at the plethora of young players in the Blackhawks system — from the NHL to AHL to unsigned — and the math didn’t add up,” Powers wrote.
So, what does this mean for Chicago?
Chicago Blackhawks must start to consolidate
Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson congratulates first overall pick Connor Bedard during the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Blackhawks are absolutely loaded with draft capital. They have three second-round picks this year and also own three first-rounders in 2027. They will be adding even more players to their already stacked pool of young talent, and while that sounds like a good thing, it’s also dangerous.
Chicago has too many young players, so much so that the path of incoming youngsters is blocked.
“When a team drafts 38 players, including 28 in the first three rounds, over the last four years, some of those players might think their NHL goal might be easier achieved elsewhere,” Powers added.
It’s time for the Blackhawks to start consolidating and trading some of their young players — and draft picks — for established talent. Chicago has shown improvement each of the last two seasons, so it is getting closer to contending. Why not put more starpower alongside of Connor Bedard?
Right now, the Blackhawks’ roster is teeming with young defensemen, for example, and not all of them with receive significant playing time. There is no question Chicago should be aiming to trade some of them, and if it can package some draft capital in the deal, as well, it may be able to land an impactful veteran.
The Blackhawks have done a fine job of rebuilding, but now, it’s time for them to take things to the next level.
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