The Lightning & Blackhawks have officially finalized their trade

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Hunter Bowman
May 6, 2024 (6:36 PM)

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The Stanley Cup Playoffs have once again reshuffled the deck for NHL teams, with postseason eliminations triggering important trade outcomes.

Today, the spotlight falls on a major trade between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning, which has now been finalized following Tampa Bay's playoff exit.

The Florida Panthers' elimination of the Lightning sealed the deal that sends two first-round draft picks to Chicago in exchange for Brandon Hagel.

The Brandon Hagel trade sure looks like a good one for both teams. The Blackhawks were able to draft Oliver Moore and will have a second first-rounder this year because of it. The Lightning got one hell of a player.

With Tampa Bay out of the running, the Blackhawks have confirmed they'll be using the second of those picks to make the 20th overall selection in the upcoming draft.

After Vegas losing, the Blackhawks will draft at No. 20 with the Lightning's first-round pick.

RIP to the Knights and Islanders. The Blackhawks will officially pick 20th.

This finalized trade marks a significant step in Chicago's rebuilding efforts, bolstering their pool of young talent with two top prospects. Although the postseason didn't pan out as the Lightning hoped, they gained a formidable talent in Hagel who could make a big difference in future campaigns.

Trades like this, with conditions based on playoff performance, add an extra layer of strategy to NHL team management. It will be interesting to watch how this trade impacts both teams in the years to come, potentially shifting the balance of power within the league.

Source: Houseofhockey
Trade officially finalized between the Blackhawks and Lightning