Blackhawks: How Stan Bowman created a successful retool

Trading a very good young player in Nick Schmaltz for Dylan Strome was a huge gamble for the Blackhawks, but one that paid off in a major way.

Dylan Strome was the third overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, behind elite talents in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. As if being picked behind these two wasn’t enough pressure to begin with, Strome’s career did not get off to the start that he wanted to by any means. Over two and a half years in Arizona, Strome played a mere 48 games and chalked up only 16 points. Strome was beginning to look like a major bust, and Arizona was ready to deal him before his trade value became non-existent.

On the other side, Blackhawks’ young forward Nick Schmaltz was in a contract year and seemed to be far off in negotiations with the club. On the ice, however, Schmaltz was a phenomenal player who recorded over 50 points the season before he was moved. What he was looking for contract-wise was never made public knowledge, however, one would have to imagine that the Blackhawks were hesitant to pay him a large sum due to the salary cap debacle they have been in since they became a powerhouse.

The swap has worked out extremely well for both sides, as the Blackhawks were able to land a phenomenal young second-line centre, while Arizona was able to move on from Strome and get back a good young scorer in Nick Schmaltz. Chicago additionally received a young wing in Brendan Perlini, who was later traded out of Chicago. Strome projects to be a franchise piece for the Blackhawks for years to come, as this trade was one of the best in Bowman’s time in Chicago.