With the trade deadline behind us, NHL rosters are pretty much set in stone as we approach the playoffs. The Blackhawks have had a lot of movement this season, so let's take an opportunity to analyze the trades they have made.
Here's a key to the grading system used:
A: Absolute fleece. Undeniable winners of the trade.
B: Pretty good, not necessarily a fleece, but probably a 'win-win.'
C: Nothing trade, maybe could've been better, but nothing to sneeze at
D: Losers of the trade, but still some value at play
F: Head scratcher, no redeeming value
The Blackhawks picked Safonov in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL draft, 172nd overall. Since then, the Russian center has spent five seasons in the KHL system and has just been okay. The previous Stan Bowman-led front office picked Safonov and was likely not a part of the current team's plans.
Lafferty is no stranger to the Blackhawks organization. In fact, many would consider him a fan favorite during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons he spent in the Windy City.
Since returning to the organization, Lafferty has played 20 games and put up one goal for two points. Not great, but he was brought on as depth that can step up into the lineup in the event of injury. This is a much different role from his first stop in Chicago, where he found himself up and down the lineup in different roles.
For a sixth-round pick, the Blackhawks will take a guy who can slot in at the bottom of the lineup and bring some energy. For that reason, a 'B-' grade seems reasonable. We'll keep an eye on what that sixth-round pick turns into, though.
The Blackhawks drafted Reichel in 2020 when the organization couldn't seem to figure out its direction. As the 17th overall pick, he was seen as a glimpse into the future of the Blackhawks. Reichel brought over an interesting resume from the German Developmental League.
Reichel exploded for 20 goals and 51 points in 55 games with the AHL affiliate Rockford Icehogs in 2022-23. He then made the opening day roster in 2023-24 for the Blackhawks but couldn't recreate the magic. Since then, Reichel bounced between the NHL and AHL rosters and couldn't gain any consistency. Even a few brief stints on a line with Connor Bedard couldn't do the trick.
By the time the Blackhawks traded Reichel, his trade value was as low as it had ever been. Twenty-three years old, not really able to fill the stat sheet the way he did in the German circuit, but Davidson still managed to get a mid-round pick for him. This was yet another Bowman draft pick, and had he still been the GM and made the same trade, this would be an 'F.'
Since Davidson had taken over and was likely in the mindset of recouping their losses, they did about as well as they could have. Points off for trading away a fan favorite, but that's business.
Despite having four players and two draft picks involved, this trade isn't as big as it looks. Let's start with the money implications.
The Blackhawks signed Brossoit to a two-year, $6.6 million contract in 2024-25. Not long after, the netminder underwent hip surgery that sidelined him until the end of the 2025 calendar year. With Spencer Knight taking control of the crease and Arvid Söderblom playing solid as the backup, there was no need to keep Brossoit's money on the books. Ryan Ellis , who hasn't played a game since 2021, came the other way with a $6.25 million cap hit through 2026-27. This allows the Blackhawks to keep some money around to hit the cap floor.
Nolan Allan , a first-round pick in 2021, was playing some solid hockey for the IceHogs and was noticeable in his brief stints with the NHL roster. As GMKD fills out the young defensive roster, Allan was expected to be among the players moved to free up space in the pipeline. Jake Furlong , on the other hand, has yet to play an NHL game but has provided consistent hockey with the IceHogs. The Blackhawks also move up three rounds in the 2028 draft, which is an underrated piece of this deal.
Overall, the Blackhawks probably benefit from this trade, but it isn't much of a needle mover. They move up in the draft and move some money around, but it's by no means a splash.
Connor Murphy was the longest tenured Blackhawk to this point, so trading him was not taken lightly. The Blackhawks first brought him over in a trade that sent Niklas Hjalmarsson to the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes. Funny enough, this is the second time Stan Bowman has traded for Murphy, considering his previous status as the Blackhawks General Manager. Since then, Murphy has provided a stay-at-home veteran presence as the young batch starts to make the jump to the big leagues.
The Oilers were looking for a penalty killing defensemen, and Murphy is just that. The Blackhawks haven't done a lot right on the ice, but their penalty kill is a major exception. Murphy was a major cog in that machine, and the Oilers decided it was worth giving up a second-round pick to accomplish their own penalty-killing goals.
At 50% retained through the rest of the season, this looks to be a major win-win trade. Slight edge given to the Blackhawks for getting a secondnd-round pick where many thought he was worth a third or fourth.
This is the first trade made where the Blackhawks seemed to have seriously gotten the better of the opposing front office. Many think the Oilers overpaid, but sometimes overpaying is necessary to land two physically defensive forwards.
Dickinson, the centerpiece of the trade, was another important part of the Chicago penalty kill. At 50% retained and cap relief in the form of Andrew Mangiapane being moved out, the Oilers were willing to send over a conditional 2027 first-round pick.
Dickinson was first traded over to Chicago from Vancouver along with a second-round pick for Riley Stillman . Yes, the Blackhawks received a draft pick to take on Dickinson's contract. The fact that Davidson was then able to flip him a few years later for a first-round pick is unbelievably impressive and is a primary reason this trade is so solid for Chicago.
Colton Dach , younger brother of Kirby, is an excellent physical presence at just 23 years old. Despite this, Davidson clearly saw him as an expendable piece of the rebuild. Dach was first drafted in 2021 to team up with his brother and was also drafted by Stan Bowman. Clearly, Bowman likes familiarity with the players he brings in.
Ultimately, the Oilers were interested in overpaying if it meant filling the holes in the roster. If Edmonton takes home Lord Stanley, no one will bat an eye at that 1st-round pick. For now, it seems as though Bowman's former protégé has gotten the best of him at this trade deadline.
Well, the grading system may have been tossed out on this one. It's very possible another team would have forked up a late-round pick for Foligno. Instead, the Hawks brass left that potential value on the table to get him to his preferred destination . Although it was a short saga, many will remember Foligno for his unwavering leadership and the bonds he created with the organization's youth. Connor Bedard especially showed great appreciation for Foligno's presence.
Foligno is currently on an expiring deal and likely in his final season in the NHL. The 38-year-old spent most of the final chapter of his career leading a young Blackhawks team and helping the future of the franchise acclimate to the league. The play on the ice wasn't always pretty, though he was good for a goal or two every other week or so. Good on the front office for doing right by their captain, who sacrificed valuable years to help this young, blossoming roster.
This one is a bit of a head scratcher. Thompson was a Davidson draft pick in the third round in 2022. Pouliot , on the other hand, has been an AHL/NHL bubble player for his entire 12-year career. By no means a bum, but certainly not the return anyone would expect for a former third-round pick that was an initial building block of the Blackhawks' rebuild. Not a huge loss in the long run, but this is the trade to be most critical of, if any.
Ultimately, the Blackhawks somehow found a way to get even younger. With roster spots opening and another high draft pick, the team will look to hit its stride with the new core in the 2026-27 season. In the meantime, we should see a few players make the jump at the end of the current campaign. In any case, the youth movement is in full effect, and we shall see very soon if Davidson's master plan will succeed.
The post Grading Every Chicago Blackhawks Move at 2026 NHL Trade Deadline appeared first on The Lead .
