Grading the Chicago Blackhawks NHL Trade Deadline Moves

The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline as sellers on Friday. With the team still in rebuild mode and sitting seventh in the Central Division and 28th in the league with 56 points, Kyle Davidson had to move several veterans to acquire future key assets.

Here is a breakdown and grade for each move the Blackhawks made.

Connor Murphy traded to the Edmonton Oilers

Trade: Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2028 second-round pick.

Grade: A+

This deal was very mutual for both sides. Murphy was the longest-tenured Blackhawk on the roster before getting traded and played nine seasons with Chicago.

The 32-year-old had 124 points (34 goals, 90 assists) in 547 games with the Blackhawks in his career and 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 60 games this season. He also led the team in blocked shots.

Murphy had some difficult seasons in his nine-year career with the Blackhawks and has the chance to compete for a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers. He is a physical, top-four defenseman who can play a shutdown role and adds depth to the Oilers, who are trying to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year.

Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach traded to Edmonton

Trade: Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach traded to Edmonton for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Grade: A-

The Blackhawks made a second trade with the Oilers following the Murphy trade, as they traded Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach to Edmonton for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Dickinson, a strong defensive forward and penalty killer, had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 47 games this season for Chicago. While Dickinson was expected to be moved, including Dach in this trade would hurt the team, as he is still a young, physical bottom-six forward, and the Blackhawks lacked physicality in their group before.

Dach was a depth player for the team, and moving him is tough. He had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 53 games played this season.

However, this may not be all bad for Chicago as they get a former 35-goal scorer in Mangiapane, who brings energy, forechecking, and offensive upside. If the Blackhawks expect him to be the type of player that he is known to be, he could become a valuable middle-six winger. The conditional first-round pick is another key piece in Chicago's rebuild for the future.

Nick Foligno traded to the Minnesota Wild

Trade: Nick Foligno traded to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations.

Grade: A-

While the return may not seem like much, this trade is still great as Chicago is giving Nick Foligno the chance to go win a Cup with his brother, Marcus, on the Minnesota Wild. This would also be the first time in their NHL careers that they'll be playing together on the same team, and what better way to do it than by pushing toward the playoffs and competing for the Stanley Cup?

Foligno was a great captain and locker room leader for the Blackhawks. Now he has the chance to go and win a Cup.

For Chicago, they're freeing up roster space for their younger players to step into big roles during this rebuild.

Aidan Thompson traded to the New York Rangers

Trade: Aidan Thompson traded to the New York Rangers for Derrick Pouliot.

Grade: B- / C

This move was a little bit strange for the Blackhawks as they traded their prospect Aidan Thompson to the Rangers for a depth 32-year-old defenseman in Derrick Pouliot.

Unless Pouliot can provide short-term defensive stability and be a mentor to the younger defensemen like Connor Murphy did during his time in Chicago, this trade may not significantly impact the Blackhawks' long-term plans. He will likely provide a veteran presence in Rockford during his time with the organization.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, the Blackhawks had a great trade deadline and did what they had to do. By acquiring valuable draft picks and giving veterans opportunities with playoff contenders, Chicago stayed committed to its rebuilding strategy while continuing to build toward future playoff contention.

The Blackhawks are back in action on Friday, taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. CST on CHSN (in-market) and ESPN+ (out-of-market).