Blackhawks could have generational prospect land on their lap in 2026 NHL Draft

The idea of the Chicago Blackhawks trading the fourth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft has seemed to gain some momentum. After all, swapping that pick serves multiple purposes. It can land a major complementary piece, or it could become even more useful capital for the organization.

But there’s an interesting possibility in which the Blackhawks could end up with a highly coveted prospect at #4. The prospect in question is Ivar Stenberg.

On the whole, the prevailing chatter is that Stenberg would be the second pick behind Gavin McKenna. The assumption is that the Toronto Maple Leafs will pick McKenna with the first pick. There is little discussion about the Leafs going another route.

Where things get really interesting is with the second pick. The San Jose Sharks are believed to be listening to offers for that pick. While there could be any number of suitors for the pick, whoever trades for it could define which prospect goes second.

Let’s assume for a minute that a team like the New York Rangers pushes for the pick. If that’s the case, the Blueshirts may pass on Stenberg. Instead, they’ll take Caleb Malhotra, who is considered to be the best center in the draft.

That’s a crucial point for two reasons. First, the Rangers could use a top-line center, and Stenberg is a winger. Second, Malhotra is believed to be The Guy for the Vancouver Canucks, who pick at #3.

So, there’s a real possibility that the Sharks and Canucks just trade places. The Canucks move up to ensure they get Malhotra, leaving the Sharks to pick next.

San Jose doesn’t need Stenberg. They have plenty of good young forwards. What the Sharks need is a future number-one defenseman. And there just so happens to be two or three who could fit that description for the Sharks.

Let’s assume then that the Sharks pick someone like Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff.

All of a sudden, Stenberg falls to the Blackhawks at #4. And that’s a huge deal.

Stenberg is the sort of winger Blackhawks need to play with Bedard

There has been a lot of talk about the Blackhawks needing to find a winger to play with Connor Bedard.

Taking that assertion at face value, the possibility of Stenberg falling into the Blackhawks’ lap at #4 would be the best thing that could happen. Stenberg has been called the winger version of Aleksander Barkov. He is fast, a playmaker, and can become a high-end two-way winger.

Stenberg could turn into the all-purpose winger that Mitch Marner became with the Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights.

That said, the Blackhawks should hold onto their pick until the last second. Even if the Sharks held onto their pick, the likeliest outcome is that they’ll take a defenseman at #2. It just makes the most sense for them.

If that’s the case, the Canucks will still take Malhotra at #3. That path, again, opens the door for the Blackhawks to nab Stenberg at #4.

Unless the Sharks or whoever picks second takes Stenberg, Chicago should be all-in on landing Stenberg. Only if Stenberg is off the board by the time the Hawks pick, trading the pick should become a serious consideration.

All told, the Blackhawks may end up coming out like bandits with the pick they got. Blackhawks fans should be crossing their fingers, hoping that everyone ahead of them takes the guys they really need.

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