The cost of moving up a couple draft spots

[Tankdriver]

A little unnoticed trade happened yesterday between the Islanders and Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks traded up two spots and 4 spots in second round but it cost them a second rounder.

The full trade:

NYI receives:
20th Overall pick, #54 and #61

Chicago receives:
#18 and #50

[folatre]

The price Chicago paid is not too onerous. However, given the fact that Kyle Davidson has absolutely no idea who will be available at #18 or at #50, it seems sort of odd to pull the trigger now. One may presume it was Lamoriello using a strong arm tactic on Davidson something to the effect of 'Kyle this deal is available today, if you do not accept it today then it is gone, end of story.'

[Tankdriver]

That's what I found weird. They have no idea who will be around at 18. I could see this on draft day but not now. Unless they have another deal lined up?

[seventeen]

the most reasonable answer to the above is that some other team Chicago is dealing with in preparation for the draft, wants a top 18 pick because whoever has the 19th pick loves the guy that team feels will still be there at 19 but not 20, or maybe it's Chicago themselves. More likely, someone wants a top 18 pick, not a top 20 pick, so the Hawks give up a late 2nd rounder to get that position. Frankly, I think it's cheap, even if it is mid round. But this is a weird year. I heard or read somewhere that from 20 to 70 you could get your guy anywhere in there. It's that disjointed.

[folatre]

Yeah, for sure, I have been hearing the same thing -- basically this an outstanding draft class in the top 15-20, but then things get rather murky, to the extent that kids taken in the bottom third of the first round may not be significantly better bets than kids taken in the top third of the third round.

It probably depends on where each clubs' scouting department sees the drop-off starting in round one. Maybe the Islanders are not bullish on the depth of real quality the first round. And add to that the fact since Lamoriello arrived on Long Island, they have essentially been in win now mode, which has left only a trickle of good prospects moving into their prospect pool. So I guess I can see where a team like NYI could be tempted to pick up a bargain late second rounder.

[IamCanadiens]

Yeah, from the Islanders perspective their prospect cupboard is empty and they need to put more in there. It's a step in the right direction.