Scribe Cites Reasons Blackhawks Satisfied with Taylor Hall Trade

The Chicago Blackhawks may not have made headlines with the return in the Taylor Hall trade, but according to Scott Powers of The Athletic, the team was happy with the outcome. Critics may be looking at what Chicago did in the blockbuster three-team trade and giving them a failing grade. But, GM Kyle Davidson had his reasons, and here are two of them.

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Blackhawks Wanted to Create Opportunity for Their Own Prospects

First, the Hall trade cleared a crucial roster spot. Some are arguing the team should have held out and gotten a prospect back in return, but Davidson didn’t actually want one.

Powers notes that the Blackhawks have too many good prospects of their own and not enough room to make all of them happy with a legitimate shot to make the team. Adding another prospect who was competing for one of the few available slots would have potentially irked someone deserving.

Davidson prioritized creating opportunities for players like Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore, and Sam Rinzel, who are expected to turn pro soon. Moving Hall opens a spot, and not bringing back a prospect tells all three that the Blackhawks have their development in mind.

The Blackhawks Weren’t Going to Do Much Better

Second, the deal avoided Chicago taking on half of Mikko Rantanen‘s salary. Some are arguing that Chicago should have held out for more in return if they were willing to take on that responsibility. But, as Powers points out, Davidson knew he was going to have to eat half of Hall’s salary in a trade. Instead of doing that, he took on an extra $1.625 million.

It’s not nothing, but it’s not the huge disaster some fans are making it out to be. The Blackhawks got their own third-round pick back, which is going to be a lot more like a second when you factor in where the team will finish this season in the standings.

Coupled with their existing five picks in the first 75 selections of the next draft, Davidson has plenty of flexibility to move around and address specific needs. If he wants to make another trade, moving that pick has more value than a random third or fourth-rounder he might have gotten in a separate Hall deal.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: Jets, Leafs, Hawks, Canes & Avs