Blackhawks Trade for D Nikita Zaitsev, 2023 2nd, and 2026 4th Round Draft Picks

Less than an hour ago the Blackhawks made it official by getting Ottawa Senators' defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. To take on the veteran (and his 4.5m cap hit) the Senators (whom we are used to dealing with) also included their 2023 2nd round pick and a 2026 4th rounder (kid is like 14 right now).

We have unfortunately lost our favorite Blackhawk in the transaction: F. Considerations. He will be dearly missed and I'm not sure whom will replace his production. In all seriousness though this is now twice that Davidson has weaponized our cap room and gotten a legit asset out of it.

We have now trade Riley Stillman and future considerations for Jason Dickinson, 2 2nd rounders, and a 4th round pick. If ever there was a draft to get a top 50 pick for free in .... it's this one. The Senators pick will likely be in the mid to late 40s depending on how they finish the season. I put that pick on par with where we got Sam Rinzel in the last draft (#25). A pick 40-45 to me is a late first value just a year ago. This shouldn't be over looked.

The added picks also give Davidson some fire power if he tries to move up for a second big name in the next draft. No, Jake McCabe, Patrick Kane, or Sam Lafferty didn't get traded today... but we still got a 2nd and 4th. Kudos Mr. Davidson.

On Zaitsev; good sized right shot D out of Russia. Was once thought of as a legit top 4 staple, but looks like he was expendable. I'm not sure how much he will play next season (contract is 4.5m on a M-NTC for next season) for the Hawks, but I might take the under on games played in 23-24 (no matter what the line is). Go Hawks Go!