The Chicago Blackhawks have two first-round picks in the 2023 NHL draft. Media speculation wonders if they'll trade their second first-rounder for a higher choice.
The Chicago Blackhawks possess the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft after winning the draft lottery on May 8. The Athletic's Scott Powers tells us not to expect that pick to be traded as they intend to select top prospect Connor Bedard.
That's not the only first-rounder the Blackhawks have in this draft. They also hold the Tampa Bay Lightning's pick (19th overall), which they acquired in last year's Brandon Hagel trade.
Powers reported Blackhawks management wasn't optimistic about trying to move up into the top 15 with that pick. He suggested the Vancouver Canucks (11th overall) might be an option, given their need to shed salary for next season.
CapFriendly shows the Canucks with $84.168 million invested in 18 players, putting them above the projected $83.5-million cap. Powers proposed the Blackhawks bundle the No. 19 pick with one or two of their four second-rounders in this year's draft to the Canucks for their first-rounder plus a player under contract.
The Province's Patrick Johnston took note of Powers' suggestion and believes there might be a way for the two clubs to pull it off. He cited one source indicating such a deal might be possible, while another claimed Canucks GM Patrik Allvin might consider such an offer if they can move out a contract in the deal.
Johnston believes the Canucks would prefer shipping out a high-salaried defenseman such as Tyler Myers or Oliver Ekman-Larsson. However, he thinks Conor Garland might be more enticing to the Blackhawks. The gritty 27-year-old winger is younger than Myers and Ekman-Larsson, carries a reasonable $4.95-million average annual value through 2025-26 and is in his playing prime.
There's no certainty this trade could be pulled off, but it would help both clubs address their respective needs.