In a move that is odd for its timing if not for its details, the Islanders swapped late-first-round picks with the Chicago Blackhawks in next months draft in order to add a second-round pick in the same 2024 draft.
Officially:
- The Isles get the 20th, 54th and 61st overall picks
- The Blackhawks get the 18th and 50th overall picks
The NHL.com headline tells one bemusing version of the story: “Islanders, Blackhawks swap first-round picks” — which would be a huge deal if Chicago’s tank-reward, true first-round pick (2nd overall) were involved.