The NHL trade deadline is not for another two months, but the Chicago Blackhawks will be sellers. That is what happens when the Hawks sit at the top of the Tankathon standings.
The Athletic’s Scott Powers is reporting Taylor Hall is likely to be dealt before the trade deadline. No surprise there.
What I'm hearing about the Blackhawks https://t.co/VhAvB6uWy4
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) January 8, 2025
What will be interesting to see is what the team will get back for in any trades involving Ryan Donato, Alec Martinez, Pat Maroon, and Craig Smith. According to Powers, the Hawks’ front office would like to trade those players to clear out some roster spots.
The room is needed for when prospects Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, and Sam Rinzel sign their entry-level deals, so they at least can get a cup of coffee with the NHL team before likely going to the AHL next season to continue their development.
Powers tackles what the Hawks could get in return for the likes of Hall and Donato. It is looking like third-round picks or later. There is a chance the return could be improved depending on if Hawks retain salary.
Therefore, you have to wonder if it is better for the Hawks to pursue a prospect in trade return rather than acquire less than premium picks.
In the case of Hall, if the offer is a second-round pick (which could happen), general manager Kyle Davidson should take it. You can still get a player in that round that turns out to be great. Also, multiple second-round picks can always be packaged to move back into the first round sort of like what the team did last draft.
A third-round pick is still not bad as Davidson has found some players in that round who have a lot of promise. It is usually the fourth round or later as to when you get to the prospects who will never make it to the NHL. Sure, you can find Hall of Famers in the fourth-seventh rounds, it is just a lot harder.
Otherwise, Donato could fetch back a third-round choice depending on how much salary is retained. If it is fourth-round choice, it might be better to see if a team will send back a prospect already at the AHL or overseas with a little bit of upside.
No team is going to give up a top-10 prospect, but maybe they could be convinced to send a prospect ranked 11-20 in a team’s system. It can never hurt to see if the franchise can get a young player already in his NHL development journey rather than pick a player who will still have to complete their time in the juniors or college before signing the entry-level contract.
On the flip side, trying to get a prospect usually means entry-level contract clock has already begun. So it is usually better to get a player with a fresh three seasons.
That is why it is always better to take the draft pick, especially with the Hawks place a premium on traits. While the Hawks are reaching the point of collecting too many prospects, they can always grab a player out of Russia and see if they become something in the KHL before coming over.
So, keep stacking draft choices as more picks can always be used as ammo to move up in the draft.
