Blackhawks to reportedly make draft day blockbuster trade

Davidson's strategic use of the 2nd round pick, acquired from the Jason Dickinson trade with Vancouver, showcases his adept handling of the cap hit to facilitate the deal.

This move has not gone unnoticed by fans and analysts alike.

NHL Insiders Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek of the 32 Thoughts Podcast delved into the implications of this trade. During Monday's podcast at 36:35, they discussed the move's ramifications:

Marek highlighted the unusual timing of this trade, typically seen after the draft has started, not five weeks before.

Friedman speculated that either the Blackhawks or the Islanders might be looking to move up further in the 2024 NHL Draft. He noted that while the Blackhawks already moved up a couple of spots, Chicago might be aiming even higher.

There's a prevalent belief that after pick 20, there's a significant drop-off in the draft's talent pool.

This could explain Davidson's strategy to prioritize moving up. Alternatively, Davidson might be looking to trade these picks for a veteran player. Friedman suggested that these picks could be moved again during the draft:

Friedman also added:

Given Davidson's track record with drafts, it's clear there's someone in the top 20, aside from notable prospects like Ivan Demidov or Arytom Levshunov, who he has his eye on.

As the draft approaches, the speculation around Davidson's next move continues to grow.

Fans and analysts eagerly await to see how his strategy will unfold and what it means for the future of the Blackhawks.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2024/05/27/more-speculation-surrounding-the-blackhawks-islanders-draft-trade-another-move-coming/