Toews Returns and Trade with Anaheim

I think I understand the sentiment - bring in two quality pieces for one last kick at the can with Kane and Toews - but I can't help but wonder how much losing out on a McTavish or Sillinger plus the quality of player available to the Blackhawks in the 2022 draft sets back the overall Chicago rebuild. All respect due to Reichel, he's not quite at their calibre and the difference between a pick in the 8-12 range is of vastly superior quality to one beyond pick #17.

Currently, there are a plethora of quality RHD at the upper end of the 2022 draft. Can't imagine the combination of both a long-term top-six winger and top-pairing RHD are worth less to the organization than the old core getting mauled by the Avalanche in the first or second round.

Value's there but philosophy dictates a pass. A substantial upgrade over Subban in net to tandem with Lankinen would make more immediate sense for the trade but I still think it's the wrong move.

I don't understand your reference to the 2022 draft. Are you thinking of the original formulation by the Chicago fan, which included a 2022 second? I've removed that.

No, I'm referring to the consequences to going for the playoffs and the impact it may have on their draft selection.

Finishing in a playoff spot guarantees no less than the #17 pick in 2022. Staying the course puts them into the lottery conversation. Given their needs and player availability at that half of the draft, there's more at stake here than the Hawks' 2021 pick. Their losing out on either McTavish/Sillinger now and missing out on a premier defender next year.

While your points raised are strong, particularly the Goalie issue (can be resolved in FA or trade with Cap Space). I think we have a pressing need for a top LD. Getting someone like Lindholm this season I don't think makes us a playoff in 2022 (still allows us to get a good pick) though as the kids develop moving forward from 2022 we should be looking to achieve playoff hockey. In an ideal world, we would look for a work about way to not include the 2021 first but I think Reichel could represent strong value based on his performance against Men in the DEL the past 2 years. Is he a Stutzle or Draisaitl, absolutely not but he could be serviceable. Who knows what Suter/Kurashev/Borgstrom will turn out also. I would pass on a Sillinger/McTavish for a top LD and have faith in whats in the system if it were up to me.

I think the idea of bringing in such a defenceman only makes sense if there's term involved. As it stands, the Hawks don't have that defender in their system regardless of handedness. They have a plethora of the middle pieces. I still stand by my statement that passing up on a key piece now and later isn't worth a Lindholm rental. Now if there were 3 or 4 years on the deal or Lindholm was an RFA as opposed to a UFA, I think there's merit here but long term it's only detrimental.