New reporting indicates Blackhawks are open to trading No. 4 pick, but at a steep price

The Chicago Blackhawks didn't take the next step they were anticipating this year in terms of wins, but they were still in the midst of their rebuild. Despite a hot start to the season, where they were in Wild Card position at the end of November before tumbling off the proverbial cliff, the team finished second-to-last place in the Western Conference with a 29-39-14 record. This offseason, the Blackhawks have to try and work on a long-term contract extension for star Connor Bedard, who is a restricted free agent.

The Blackhawks have plenty of draft picks at their disposal as they try to continue to build their team back into a contender. In the first-round, they hold the No. 4 pick, which they could use on a much-needed defenseman, or on one of the top forward prospects who falls to them. But based on recent reporting, it sounds like general manager Kyle Davidson is open for business.

Pierre LeBrun reports Chicago would only move the pick for an impact NHL player

The Athletic NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported in his recent article that the Blackhawks are open to moving on from the fourth-overall pick, but it will come at a price. Specifically, a "darn good NHL player."

"Chicago views the pick as a heck of an asset, given the talent available in the top five, so it would be need to be a darn good NHL player to move it, but the Blackhawks are open to it, per league sources," writes LeBrun.

Fellow NHL insider for The Athletic, Chris Johnston, listed the Blackhawks' fourth-overall pick as one of his 25 top trade pieces of the offseason. Like LeBrun, Johnston reports that the Blackhawks would only move the pick if it would help them in the present.

"Similar to the scenario with the Sharks at No. 2, the prospect-rich Blackhawks are open to the possibility of moving off a valuable pick if they can get something back that improves them in the present. Given the expected unpredictability at the top of this class, it may not be a deal that comes together until draft night, when it becomes apparent which top prospect will still be on the board at No. 4," writes Johnston.

The Blackhawks have frequently had early first-round picks in recent years, with the likes of Bedard, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Anton Frondell, and Artyom Levshunov all standing out. So they do have the young core essentially figured out. Then, there's the fact that the Blackhawks hold three picks in the second round this year, so there they have plenty of capital to add more talent, especially in a defenseman-heavy draft class.

Of course, it will be dependent on what they could get from teams that are desperate to move up in the first round to, say, draft one of the top defensemen on the board or if a prospect like Ivar Stenberg or Caleb Malhotra were to the No. 4 spot.

During an appearance on NHL Network, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period listed the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames as two teams that could look to move up in the first round.

"I think the Rangers and the Calgary Flames are two teams that are interested in moving up or at least going to explore those possibilities," said Pagnotta. "Calgary was hoping they'd be in a better position with that pick. Certainly going to bring in somebody, a solid stud, somebody in there at six spot, but [general manager] Craig Conroy is going to look to move up...The Rangers are going to explore that possibility as well."

While both teams are looking to move up to potentially add a difference maker, they will need them to make an offer the Blackhawks can't refuse. The Rangers notably shopped center Vincent Trocheck and defenseman Braden Schneider at the trade deadline, while the Flames have forward Blake Coleman as a potential trade piece to float around. But would those players get Davidson to agree to terms on a trade down from the No. 4 spot? That's all dependent on what Davidson's vision will be.

The Blackhawks have a variety of different directions they can take when it comes to the No. 4 pick. Based on the reporting, fans might not get their answer until the first round takes place on June 26.

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