Should the Chicago Blackhawks try and trade up in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft?

The Blackhawks hold the 11th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, however, they could try and trade up for a higher pick. The question is, should they?

The Blackhawks have significant needs across their roster, and there’s no doubt that they could grab a player at 11th overall that could greatly help the team. However, there is a ton of talent at the draft this year, so trading up for a higher pick could only improve their chances of getting a quality player. In the long run, though, it may not be worth it.

At 11th overall, there are still a number of players that could end up becoming a huge part of the franchise. The ‘Hawks goaltending issues have been analyzed extensively, and Jesper Wallstedt would be a fantastic addition to Chicago’s goalie tandem. Additionally, guys like Brandt Clarke or even Mason McTavish are examples of two skaters who could make a big impact.

There is a chance that players like this would be gone before the 11th overall pick. There are at least three teams in the top ten that could use a goalie like Wallstedt, and a big body like Mason McTavish would be useful on any roster. That being said, what would the Blackhawks have to give up in order to trade for a higher pick?

The answer is probably a lot, and it probably wouldn’t be worth it. To receive a top ten draft pick, Chicago would obviously have to give up their 11th overall selection. Additionally, any team willing to give up a top ten pick would likely want a significant talent back in advance, likely at least a top-four defenseman or top-six forward.

Let’s just take, for example, the San Jose Sharks, who currently hold the seventh-overall selection. Three of the Sharks’ top defenseman are over 30, so in order to surrender their seventh pick, they’d probably ask for a package that looks something like this:

Obviously, this is hypothetical, and who knows if the two teams would even agree to this. However, would it really be worth it to give up their current first-rounder and one of the team’s top up-and-coming defensemen?

I know that Adam Boqvist didn’t have a great season this year, but he still has a ton of upside. I think that any trade that would move the Blackhawks up on the draft board would involve giving away a piece of their future, and with their rebuild in motion, I just don’t think it’s worth it.

Again, until it happens, any hypothetical trade is just that: hypothetical. There’s no telling if general manager Stan Bowman even wants to move up in the draft. As I stated, there is a lot of talent that would still be available at 11th overall, even if Chicago doesn’t get its first choice. This being the case, I think that the Blackhawks are better off staying the course and keeping their draft position where it is now.