The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t need to trade Ryan Hartman to the Nashville Predators on Monday afternoon. He’s still on his entry-level deal this season and won’t break the bank on his next contract as an RFA this summer. For once, this wasn’t the team trading a guy because they knew they couldn’t afford him.
And from that position of strength, the Blackhawks were able to yield a 2018 first-round pick, forward prospect Victor Ejdsell, and a swap of mid-round draft picks that, all things considered, appears to be a strong return.
Yes, it’s understandable to be disappointed that Hartman is gone.