What would a hypothetical trade package for Trevor Zegras look like for the Blackhawks?

Recently, we discussed why trading for Trevor Zegras made sense for the Blackhawks, but we didn’t get into the specifics of what a hypothetical trade package would look like for the brewing star. Sure, he would be an expensive addition, and should a trade between the Hawks and Ducks emerge for Zegras, they would be looking at some turbulence in their current prospects pool and number of draft picks. 

But overall, the key for general manager Kyle Davidson must be for him to add young talent to the Hawks, and doing so from outside the organization is an effective strategy if he trades for the right player or players. Zegras fits the criteria, so giving up sound compensation to Anaheim if a deal plays out shouldn’t be a tough decision. 

So, what would a potential trade package look like between Chicago and Anaheim if the two came to an agreement regarding Zegras? We will figure it out later, but first, let’s lay the groundwork. 

Trade package for Trevor Zegras must benefit Ducks and Blackhawks

For a pair of rebuilding organizations, any trade package must benefit each organization equally. In this situation, we got one team that will immediately benefit from a trade involving Trevor Zegras and another that will keep playing the long game. 

The Ducks would be moving a current talent who is establishing himself as a top-six player in the league, while the Blackhawks will be trading assets they initially thought would benefit them in the long run. 

The immediate aftermath of such a trade would see the Blackhawks accumulate more points than they otherwise would if they ultimately don’t acquire a sound talent like Zegras. As for the Ducks, simply being a better team than they were last season would suffice. Anaheim also went 51 games without Zegras in the lineup, so they would have an idea of how they should fare by moving him, at least in the early going. 

But it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t expect a jump in production from any prospect they would acquire. That said, Davidson would part ways with at least one A-prospect, and you can also toss in some draft picks and perhaps even a player who has seen time with the big club. 

The best possible trade package for Trevor Zegras

Regardless of how you may spin it, the Blackhawks are giving up a first-round pick, but one that will wait until 2025. If such a trade were to occur, look for them to hand the Ducks their 2025 first-rounder, a 2025 third-rounder, Lukas Reichel, and Colton Dach. 

Yeah, it would be quite the haul for Zegras, but the first and third-round picks are the cornerstones; ditto for Lukas Reichel. And yes, I am well aware the Hawks just signed him to an extension. But when a potential situation arises to land a talent that has already established itself, you need to take that opportunity and part ways with a high-potential talent. 

It’s also worth noting that the Ducks inked Zegras to a new deal on October 2nd, 2023, and he was the subject of trade rumors not long after the new calendar year began. So, packaging someone like Reichel into a trade package for Zegras is logical despite the circumstances. 

Colton Dach makes up one high-end prospect and one you can call a B-prospect for the moment. A former second-round pick in 2021, Dach made his AHL debut this past season for the Rockford IceHogs, where he put up 27 points and 11 goals in 48 games.

He’s someone an organization like Anaheim would assign to their AHL team for at least another season or two before he may be ready to scale up and join the NHL.