The Blackhawks were one of the most successful teams in the previous decade, winning three Stanley Cups between 2010 and 2015, then trying to extend that contention window for at least two more seasons after that third title. The price of chasing success was both lower quality draft picks and/or loss of top-end drafted talent, the latter usually for salary cap reasons (Teuvo Teravainen) or for win-now type of trade acquisitions (Phillip Danault). As a result, the Blackhawks’ has been forced to find talent elsewhere. Chicago often turned to reclamation projects in its talent search by acquiring former first-round picks who’d fallen out of favor with their parent clubs — a good strategy, considering the aforementioned loss Chicago’s own first-round picks.
Remember Alex Nylander? A look at his past, present and possible future
