Could Blackhawks Trade Up From No. 4 in 2026 NHL Draft?

Now, as Davidson said himself at his own post-Lottery presser last week, trades involving top draft choices don’t happen very often. He basically had the same response as Grier when asked by the Chicago media if he’d be willing to trade the No. 4 pick. It’s typical GM/coach talk at this time of the year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean nothing will come of it.

During an episode of DFO Rundown Insider Edition over the weekend, David Pagnotta discussed the Sharks’ willingness to move down, and he believes the team’s lack of quality defenseman prospects could have Grier seriously considering offers for the No. 2 pick.

“They’ve got a lot of depth at the forward prospect position; quality depth, good talent,” Pagnotta said. “We’ve talked about this earlier on in the season that the priority moving forward will be the blueline for the San Jose Sharks. There is an opportunity to, within the top-five, top-six, get a really good young defenseman… “I think San Jose is serious about wanting to listen on that second-overall pick.”

Pagnotta mentioned teams like the Canucks, the New York Rangers, the Calgary Flames, and the Winnipeg Jets as potential candidates to make a deal with the Sharks. While he didn’t bring up the Blackhawks, a pick swap between the two sides would make sense in theory.

If Grier and the Sharks are sold on adding to their blue line, their choice between Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, and Alberts Smits would very likely still be available at No. 4. Assuming Gavin McKenna goes first overall to Toronto, then the Blackhawks take Stenberg second, the Canucks are widely expected to pick center Caleb Malhotra with the third pick, leaving all four defensemen on the table for San Jose.

Of course, the Blackhawks would have to sweeten the pot to get the trade across the finish line, but Davidson has plenty of assets in his arsenal to do so, including three picks in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Davidson also possesses three first-round selections in 2027, and as mentioned earlier, a remarkably deep prospect pool. The price of doing business will be steep for such a high draft choice, but the Blackhawks could afford it.

Whether San Jose is truly interested in trading down, or if the Blackhawks would actually consider packaging assets together to move up two spots, is unknown. Reports during this time off the season have to be taken with a grain of salt. But there does appear to be an opportunity for Davidson to make a move, which should be considered if he believes that Stenberg won’t make it to fourth overall.

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