Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils to pull off a blockbuster trade
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Blackhawks and Devils to pull off potential blockbuster deal
With the New Jersey Devils officially being open to dealing assets during the 2024 draft, the Blackhawks should take advantage of it.
The Devils Tom Fitzgerald stated, he'd be open to moving the 10th over pick, if it means improving the teams roster:
«If we feel it helps us now and in the foreseeable future, then, yes, I'm listening,» New Jersey general manager Tom Fitzgerald told NHL.com on Monday during a break from interviews at the NHL Scouting Combine. «I haven't gotten anything yet but the more I talk to teams, I say 'Listen, I'm open to moving No. 10, but it's going to have to be something (significant).'»
With many prospects being consensus top-10 picks, it doesn't seem likely that they'll drop to #18 where the Blackhawks pick(for now). But if Davidson can move up in the draft, he should attempt to.
Especially with the caliber of defensemen and forwards available.
The Devil In The Details
So, when Fitzgerald stated that the Devils need assets that could help them get better "Now and the foreseeable future" it's likely that draft pick won't come cheap.
The Devils have numerous players to take care of, including Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, and Timo Meier being forwards and defensemen who are priority concerns.
They will likely have to deal Dawson Mercer, an RFA, and Dougie Hamilton whose high cap hit at $9 M has been a concern, as he's been injured the majority of the year.
In other issues with the team, the Devils' prospect depth according to The Athletic is ranked 22nd overall. The Devils could trade Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey, two right-handed defensemen, and don't have many forward prospects in the pipeline yet.
Nor do they have many draft assets, other than the 10th overall pick in the 1st round, and then two in the third round, but nothing afterward.
Should the Hawks Pick Up The Phone?
While the Blackhawks have six picks in the first three rounds, Kyle Davidson could improve the lineup at the draft.
In order to make the deal the Blackhawks could make a trade for Dawson Mercer who could give the Devils cap relief. Mercer is 22, an RFA, and could fit the Blackhawks' timeline and himself a fresh start.
According to CapFriendly, the Devils have $18.8 Million in cap space and 15 players on the NHL roster. They are in a cap crunch, as they have eight forwards combined making $43 million in 2024-2025, before considering Mercer.
The Blackhawks could also take on Ondrej Palat's contract, as it is currently an albatross on the Devils' neck. At $6 Million, the forward only has 31 points in 71 games are the Blackhawks past accepting bad contracts for assets?
Palat could be a part of the deal to secure the 10th overall pick, and he like Tyler Johnson could be a character guy in the locker room. He has consistent playoff performances under his belt and is an assistant captain in the Devils locker room.
It's doubtful that the Devils would be interested in any forwards the Blackhawks would have available, as part of the trade, likewise with the forwards.
But Kyle David should consider making an attempt to move up in the draft if the 10th overall is available.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 4 | 195 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils to pull off a blockbuster trade Should Kyle Davidson trade up for the tenth overall pick? | ||
| Yes | 122 | 62.6 % |
| No | 73 | 37.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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