SoccerRecap
York promoted after INCREDIBLE stoppage-time drama
York clinches promotion with incredible stoppage-time drama against Rochdale
Sky Sports1 min read
Sports
Kirby Dach, Brandon Hagel, Who Helped Blackhawks Get Rebuild Truly Going, Were Brilliant On Friday
TL;DR
The Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild gained momentum during the 2021-22 season, highlighted by trades involving Kirby Dach and the acquisition of multiple first-round picks. These moves have positioned the team for future success, particularly with the selection of Frank Nazar.
Key points
- Blackhawks' rebuild began in the 2021-22 season
- Traded Kirby Dach for the 13th overall pick
- Acquired three first-round picks in the 2022 Draft
- Selected Frank Nazar with the 13th overall pick
- Seth Jones trade impacted draft pick availability
Chicago BlackhawksMontreal CanadiensColumbus Blue JacketsNew York Islanders
The Chicago Blackhawks haven't been a playoff team in a long time, but their rebuild truly began towards the end of the 2021-22 season. They went into that season expecting to win, and were one of the worst teams in the NHL.
They started that year without a first-round pick because they traded it to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Seth Jones trade, which is a move a team trying to make the playoffs makes.
With Chicago's original pick, Columbus selected David Jiricek 6th overall. He's been traded twice, so it didn't hurt the Blackhawks all that much. That's especially true since the Blackhawks acquired three first-round picks in that 2022 Draft through three separate trades.
One of those picks came from the Blackhawks trading Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens. In return for Dach, the Blackhawks received the 13th overall pick. The selection originally belonged to the New York Islanders before it landed with the Canadiens.
Chicago used that selection on Frank Nazar, who is now one of the players they believe is a part of the core. Nazar is someone who could play wing or center on any line, with exceptional skills in all three zones.
The tools are there for him to be a high-end offensive player, and he's already shown flashes of being a star in this league.
Nazar's skills and age fit the current state of the Chicago Blackhawks significantly more than Dach's, so this was an incredible trade in hindsight when evaluating the rebuild.
Since going to Montreal, things have been up and down for Dach. He is not one of their cornerstone stars, but he fits in with their younger core.
Just as the trade that sent Brandon Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning (the Blackhawks got and in return) has made the Blackhawks' future brighter, so has this deal involving Dach.
Q&A
How did the Chicago Blackhawks start their rebuild?
The Blackhawks began their rebuild towards the end of the 2021-22 season after struggling significantly and trading away key assets.
What trades did the Blackhawks make to acquire first-round picks?
The Blackhawks traded Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens, receiving the 13th overall pick, and acquired additional first-round picks through other trades.
Who did the Blackhawks select with their first-round pick from the Canadiens?
The Blackhawks used the 13th overall pick they received from the Canadiens to select Frank Nazar, who is expected to be a key player in their future.
What impact did the Seth Jones trade have on the Blackhawks' draft picks?
The Seth Jones trade cost the Blackhawks their original first-round pick, which was used by the Columbus Blue Jackets to select David Jiricek.
