As the Blackhawks attempt to extract as much value from the 2024 NHL Draft as they can, GM Kyle Davidson has already made it clear that he’s willing to move picks to make that happen. He already finalized an early deal with the Islanders to move from the No. 20 pick up to No. 18, and with more than three weeks until the draft, Chicago likely isn’t done yet.
On Monday, a path opened up for the Blackhawks to do just that. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald, who is tasked with making the tenth selection this year, told NHL.com during a break from NHL Scouting Combine interviews that he’s open to moving the pick to help his team sooner.
“If we feel it helps us now and in the foreseeable future, then, yes, I’m listening. 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).’”
– GM Tom Fitzgerald
The Blackhawks, armed with a war chest of draft capital and cap space, are well-positioned to make the jump.
New Jersey, with a solid young core but little cap space, less draft capital, and a stark lack of prospect depth, has to get better quickly. Needing to first re-sign players like 22-year-old RFA Dawson Mercer first, the Devils will have to find more than their less than $19 million in cap space to sign around eight more players and fill out a roster. That’s where the Blackhawks come in – with almost $34 million in room under the cap, they could easily take on a bad contract as part of a potential deal. A contract like that of 33-year-old Ondrej Palat (three more years, $6 million AAV) could be tremendously helpful in negotiations. Bringing on Palat’s deal wouldn’t exactly fit Davidson’s rebuild plans, but then again, moving up to No. 10 would provide huge long-term benefits.
The Devils have also been public about their desire to acquire a strong NHL goaltender with Kaapo Kahkonen hitting free agency and 33-year-old Jake Allen being the only remaining netminder on the roster. Would Chicago be interested in moving Petr Mrazek? The veteran was the clear team MVP last year and is set to play a big role again next year as the Blackhawks’ goaltending room continues to develop. However, if New Jersey is looking for an experienced netminder to come in and start right away, Mrazek would be a perfect candidate.
Beyond a cap dump or player trade, the Blackhawks have plenty of early picks at their disposal to go grab an elite prospect. They would certainly be giving up the No. 18 pick, but Nos. 34, 50, 67 and 72 could all be of interest, even though the Devils are looking to gain talent quickly rather than developing it.
