Were The Blackhawks fleeced, or is GM Kyle Davidson playing the long-game?
The Chicago Blackhawks were the third team in a deal that sent Taylor Hall, and Mikko Rantanen to Carolina. Should Kyle Davidson take a shot at acquiring Rantanen in July?
The Chicago Blackhawks were the third team involved in last night's blockbuster trade.
The deal sent Taylor Hall, and Mikko Rantanen to Carolina, where they'd receive a 2025 2nd-round pick and a 2026 4th-round pick.
The Hawks would retain half of Rantanen's salary, receive a 2025 3rd-round pick, and prospect Nils Juntorp.
Were the Chicago Blackhawks the losers of this trade? That's debatable, as they saved cap space by sending Taylor Hall to Carolina while receiving a draft pick.
Could Kyle Davidson be stocking up on draft picks for a future move for a 2C, or a top-six forward?
Considering their lack of center and forward depth, this would be something to look out for as Davidson hopes to improve the lineup.
Will Davidson target Rantanen in July?
Mikko Rantanen has scored 104 points (42 G, 62 A) last season. He'd be the perfect linemate for Connor Bedard, and provide the spark to the Blackhawks lineup that players like Tyler Bertuzzi, and Teuvo Teravainen haven't.
I'll never discount his contributions, but Bertuzzi has never been more than a 40-point forward.
We should remember that the Blackhawks' cap situation should look different by the time the NHL gives all 32 teams a salary cap raise.
That would be an optimal time for the Blackhawks to strike.
The Hawks should target Mikko Rantanen if they're to enter the next phase of the rebuild.
Given that he's not happy with how the deal went down with Carolina, he could look for an out before July if the team fails to make a deep push into the playoffs.
