NEWSLETTER
In the wake of a flurry of deals at the NHL’s trade deadline this season, the Blackhawks added a number of draft picks to their asset collection. But not many of them are slotted to impact their 2023 draft class.
The Blackhawks still own a healthy number of selections in this summer’s draft, and many of them will be impacted by the performances of teams participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring. The Blackhawks have four picks in the 2023 NHL Draft that will be influenced by the postseason performances of three teams.
Here’s a look at the picks the Blackhawks own, and how the playoffs could influence those selections.
First Round
Tampa Bay Lightning — the Blackhawks will receive the Lightning’s first-round pick from the Brandon Hagel trade. It was top-ten protected, but with Tampa qualifying for the postseason it will transfer to Chicago. The earlier the Lightning lose, the sooner the Blackhawks pick for a second time in the first round.
Second Round
New York Rangers — the Blackhawks received this pick in the Patrick Kane trade, but it comes with some qualifiers. If the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Final, the pick becomes a first-round pick that carries top-ten protection in 2024. If the Rangers’ pick falls in the top ten in 2024, the pick would transfer to an unprotected first in 2025. If the Rangers are bounced in the first or second round, the Blackhawks will receive their second-round pick in 2023.
Tampa Bay Lightning — yeah, the Blackhawks own Tampa’s second-round pick this year, too. Chicago acquired this pick in the summer of 2021 when they traded Brent Seabrook’s contract (read: LTIR space) to Tampa and took back Tyler Johnson‘s contract. The cost of cap space: a second-round pick. So, again, the sooner the Lightning lose the better for the Blackhawks.
Third Round
Dallas Stars — at the draft last year, the Blackhawks traded the 94th overall pick (defenseman Jeremy Langlois) to the Arizona Coyotes for Dallas’ pick in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Arizona acquired the pick from the Stars in the trade that sent goaltender Scott Wedgewood to Dallas. So the earlier the Stars fall, the earlier this pick arrives for the Blackhawks in the third round this summer.
