The Hawks let Kubalik walk for free less than two years ago. I’m not sure why they’d want to give up a pick for him all of a sudden.

100% this right here!

They were also intentionally trying to be the worst team in the league.

They let a lot of good or even just serviceable players walk or traded them away to make sure they picked in the top 3 this last year.

All that said I could see Chicago taking Kubalik to juice his stats and flip him at the deadline for assets, but it would be a Kubalik plus a pick for future considerations deal. The entire league knows the spot that Ottawa's in - they have no leverage at all in this situation and are going to have to pay to fix their own mess.

You may see it but the Hawks fans who watched Kubalik play in Chicago cannot. He started out strong but was pretty much invisible by the end of his run with the Hawks.So far Kyle D. Hasn’t shown any interest in re-treads. Sure if injuries start to pile up Kyle may look to add some pieces, but for now he has said he is good with his roster.
The whole take player X from us & flip him more is way less of a sure thing than most on this site think it is. There are so many variables needed to be considered to make it work.

The Hawks wanted to trade Kubalik at the deadline a couple of years ago and couldn’t even get a mid-round pick for him, there is no guarantee you can juice his stats and flip him this year either. Additionally, if this season is trending towards the Hawks being one of the bottom feeders again; which most expect; they already have a bunch of players they will be looking to move at the TDL; TJ, Perry, Foligno, Murphy perhaps even Hall and Athanasiou. With only two retention spots remaining it will be a challenge for Davidson to maximize returns when you consider how many teams have little to no cap space. There is no point in adding another “flippable” asset now unless you get rewarded up front because you may not be able to move that player at the TDL. If Ottawa wants the Hawks to take Kubalik, he comes with a 2nd round pick attached to him.

There isn't a GM in this league who's giving up a 2nd for Kubalik. Definitely not Kyle from Chicago. No GM is doing Dorian any favors like this.

Wrong team, wrong pick

Kubalik would get a 3rd at most right now since the team acquiring him would be looking to make a PROFIT at the deadline... most likely a 4th in case Kubalik doesn't have a good season. A team would at least pay a 3rd to get him before the playoffs.