June 2, 2024 | 6:05pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

NO DOMINOS FALLING AFTER TRADE, SAYS BLACKHAWKS GM

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson

The Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders raised some eyebrows less than two weeks ago when they completed a trade that saw the Hawks move up in the first-round and second-round, which gained the Islanders an extra second-round selection.

Speculation has run wild over what may come next for either team, with rumours floating around Chicago suggesting the club may have something else up their sleeve.

However, according to Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, they simply wanted a better pick in each round.

“It’s actually been kind of funny to watch all the discourse around that trade. It’s been hilarious, actually,” Davidson told the Chicago Tribune.

“To us it was just our internal information indicated that it was an improvement in value, and so we did it. You’re correct, a second(-rounder), no matter how late a pick, is not nothing. Having said that, we do have a lot of picks. . . We just felt that the picks we’re receiving have a better asset value package than the ones we were sending out.

“Honestly, it was that simple. It’s not a precursor or anything. It’s not a first domino to fall. It was interesting reading all the theories on what the next move was going to be.”

The Blackhawks now own the second-overall and 18th overall picks in this month’s NHL Draft, along with the 34th overall and 50th overall picks in the second-round.

Armed with around $35 million in salary cap space, the Blackhawks could be very active this summer as they look to add to their roster and further insulate young rising superstars like Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski with additional veteran talent.