Time to accept the Chicago Blackhawks do not have valuable trade assets right now

A lot is being made about what the Chicago Blackhawks got back in the blockbuster three-team deal involving Taylor Hall going to Carolina.

There is a feeling the Blackhawks got fleeced because the club only got a third-round pick back and is retaining half of Mikko Rantanen's salary cap hit which is higher than what it would be to retain a portion of Hall's cap hit.

However, those upset with the deal are acting like Hall is still a top six forward still capable of winning a Hart Trophy when he is currently a fourth-line forward.

Think that is a bit harsh?

Well, that is where he was playing for the Hawks before the trade and that is where the Hurricanes put him in first game with them. However, he did get bumped up to the second line during Carolina's matchup with Islanders.

It is fair to question the Hawks' asset management of Hall, but also folks are forgetting the asset has declined rapidly this month to the point where Hall nearing getting healthy-scratched--something that has already happened this season.

Viewing Hall beyond anything other than a veteran who can still do the little things necessary to help a contender is looking at his past performance. Yes, Hall won a Hart Trophy. Those days are over, and NHL teams have stopped paying for past performance, at least on the trade market.

If Hall were worth more than a third-round pick, he would not be skating on Carolina's fourth line no matter how talented the Hurricanes are. Heck, the Hawks should be lucky to get a likely top-70 choice.

Feel free to be upset that the Hawks participated in this deal and likely had no shot at second-round choice because Colorado was giving up the better player. Also, recognize Hall is not playing to the level of garnering a second-round draft pick.

Also, Hawks fans are going to need to temper their expectations when more deals are made before the trade deadline.

It is because the Hawks just do not have many valuable assets to move. The Athletic's Scott Powers outlined a couple weeks ago (a subscription is required to access content linked) that after Hall is moved the next players to possibly get traded are Ryan Donato, Alec Martinez, and Pat Maroon.

Donato is having a career season, but Powers is hearing Donato's trade value is as high as a third-round choice. Martinez and Maroon are likely to bring back late-round choices.

Remember, trading for prospects is usually not good business these days, especially if a prospect has already signed an entry-level contract since the decision on the next contract comes up really quick.

Better to get draft picks these days with a clean rookie contract timeline unless there is a team willing to give up a prospect not on an ELC. Even then that is becoming rare unless it is some prospect being stashed in Europe who likely will never come over.

So, you can see the Hawks are not in prime position to add top draft picks with what they have to offer to the market.

If Laurent Brossoit was already back from his knee injury, then maybe the Hawks could have some goaltending assets to offer a contender. Since he is nowhere close to returning, the Blackhawks must hold onto Arvid Soderblom and Petr Mrazek.

The Hawks have an open retention spot to retain some of Seth Jones bloated AAV. Still, Jones has to approve a deal with his full no-movement clause and it is not like he is playing at a level that will return a first-round pick.

Lukas Reichel could technically be traded if the front office thinks he has peaked and will be nothing more than a bottom-line center. He is still young enough to not completely give up on just yet.

You can see the Hawks are just not able to offer attractive players to yield major returns. That is what happens when rosters are constructed to tank even with the intention of raising the standards.