The Blackhawks and Islanders are making an unusually early pick swap ahead of the 2024 draft. Chicago has acquired the Islanders’ first- and second-round picks (18th and 50th overall), while the Islanders receive the 20th overall selection (originally owned by the Lightning) and a pair of second-round picks (54th and 61st overall, previously acquired from the Kings and Canucks).
It’s unclear whether this is a precursor to a bigger move for either club. The Blackhawks had acquired the 20th overall pick from Tampa back in March 2022 as part of the return for winger Brandon Hagel. The 54th overall pick, originally slated for the Kings, was transferred to the Flyers in last year’s Ivan Provorov three-team deal before being flipped to the Blackhawks in a pick swap a few weeks later at the 2023 draft. Meanwhile, Chicago acquired the 61st pick along with center Jason Dickinson from the Canucks in exchange for defenseman Riley Stillman in October 2022.
All in all, the Hawks will move up two spots in the first round and four spots in the second at the expense of the 61st overall pick.
Chicago also owns the second overall selection in next month’s draft after winning the second lottery draw to retain the pick. After picking up Calder Trophy finalist Connor Bedard with the first-overall selection last year, they’re expected to select either Russian winger Ivan Demidov or Belarusian defenseman Artyom Levshunov with their lottery pick this year.
The full draft order won’t be locked in until after the Stanley Cup Final ends, but Chicago drops to eight total selections from nine with today’s trade. They now own two first-rounders (2nd, 18th), two second-rounders (34th, 50th), two third-rounders (67th, 72nd), a fifth (138th) and a sixth-round pick (163rd). The Islanders move up to six total selections from five, now boasting the 20th, 54th, 61st, 115th, 147th, and 179th overall picks.
Unless this is the groundwork to a bigger deal I’m not sure why they (Chicago) do this now? Islanders definitely need more picks tho; their prospects pipeline is putrid…
Blackhawks fleeced for a 2nd round pick
Wtf. I’m guessing they have 18 guys that they deem “top 18” worthy, but why not wait until close to that pick to make this trade. For all they know the guys they’re targeting could be gone in the picks leading up to it.
They must have their guy in mind and are very certain he’s not in the top 18. Could be a potential reach or they are content with who they will certainly get at pick 20. From what I understand 15-40 are all very close in this draft so there’s lots of good talent to go around.
It’s likely that the trade up at the draft would be just as expensive. Still an oddly timed move.
Blackhawks acquiring better draft capital to move from #2 to #1. Giving up a late second to improve their chances for Celebrini seems well worth it.
Awful call
But Grier already said it ain’t happening. This is something else… maybe the Isles are up to something… maybe CHI move up again toward top 10 with another trade up
A second to move up 2 spots in the first and 4 in the second?
I can’t imagine this has anything to do with another deal.
What trade could they be working on that says hey we don’t want #20 but we will take #18?
Just doesn’t make sense
My thought would be a corresponding trade from the Isles’ perspective, not Chicago’s.
Would we expect Chicago to get anything else from it? Does seem to disproportionately favor NYI
Minor dub for the Isles. Exactly the kinda trade you wanna make when you’re competitive, but on the playoff bubble.
Interesting take. Seems to verge on sports betting haha
Gives the Hawks 4 picks in the top 50 is the only thing that makes sense. The fact is you can only have so many contracts in an organization and the Hawks are already loaded with guys they have to sign. They’ve already pretty much said Celebrini is untouchable so it’s not that. Hawks got Oliver Moore at 19 last year and Davidson is setting himself up for a trade up from 18 for a guy he has his eyes on. Don’t be surprised if on draft day he moves up again from 18. Seems he has his eyes on 2 specific guys in round 1. Quality not quantity seems to be the goal. Since Celebrini is #1 Davidson basically has the #1 pick right now, They’re on the clock.
You can’t be suggesting SJ is trading No 1 because Celebrini is perfect for that market; must be something else.
If you’re talking to me dano no I just said SJ has said they’re taking Celebrini and even Josh said so in the chat. So that means right now Davidson has the #2 pick so everyone else is in play. Also don’t be surprised if Davidson trades #2 for a player AND another pick . He’s said it’s time to up the game and maybe Demidov is enough of a chip to trade for an established player and pick.
It’s crazy how Bedard has changed the whole landscape in CHI in 1 year. Hopefully Cellebrini has a similar impact in SJS and they start swinging for the fences in a few years…
And then…
Better starting capital in the Necas to hawks trade
Can anybody see this because I can’t.
I actually think the Islanders are making a mistake here. They need talent very badly. They need to draft as high as possible. They’re in no position to trade down.
And we all know that a couple spots in the draft means NOTHING. It’s a crap shoot for the most part. But getting an additional 2nd rounder is getting two lottery tickets for the price of one. Doubles your chance that one of the guys will be a useful NHLer.
I personally think Davidson has his eyes on Michael Hage. He played in Chicago so they would have had a close eye on him I think. I could be wrong but Hage seems to keep climbing up the board. Supposed to go anywhere from 15-20.
I don’t think it means nothing at all to move down two spots. Two spots can make a difference between a career player and someone who doesn’t make it into the NHL.
It’s really inconsequential on both sides.