Sharks Acquire Reichel and Korchinski in Mock Draft Day Package for No. 2 Pick

It is officially NHL draft week, and the buzz is all around trades, mock drafts, and big twists and turns come the big day. But one pick in particular which has been talked about the most is the San Jose Sharks number two overall pick, a pick Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has his sights set on.

After effectively ‘losing’ the draft lottery per say, the Blackhawks found themselves in a sticky situation, a top three spot, but one behind where they ideally would have liked to be. As generational defenseman Matthew Schaefer is destined to head to New York with the number one overall selection, it was Chicago’s dream to land the second overall pick to at least secure the Saginaw Spirit’s Michael Misa, an elite level prospects with heaps of potential, perfect to rapidly elevate the Blackhawks rebuild. But now with San Jose in pole position to take Misa, the Blackhawks could be left in a spot where they have to go with their backup option, but Kyle Davidson will certainly do everything he can to make sure he gets that number two pick.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier has said in the past that their number two overall pick isn't untouchable, and is likely willing to trade away the pick for a good return. It is also likely that Grier and the Sharks would much rather take a winger or a defenseman since having Celebrini, Smith, and other prospects makes them centre heavy, and would brother acquire a defenseman instead of adding another core centre. In a way this works perfectly in Kyle Davidson’s favour, and has not only the draft capital, but the deep prospect pool to tempt Grier into a deal.

Although it is only moving up one spot, Grier will know how much it means to Chicago, and a deal similar to this could be a move hard to decline for him. One name who is definitely available, and is yet to be fully tested is Lukas Reichel. The former first round pick for the Blackhawks has had an interesting ride in the NHL, going up and down from the minors, but also showing flashes of elite talent. Being a speedy, and interesting player, the Sharks could take a plunge on him, and would be a more than acceptable piece to include in a trade package, a player who the Blackhawks would certainly be ready to move on from, but a cheap player who the Sharks could turn into what was once promised. With a cap hit of $1.2 million, and only one year left on his deal at only 23 years old, the Sharks would be more than happy to take him, and could unlock a beast who has been waiting to be unleashed.

But the trade simply doesn't end there. Of course alongside Reichel, the third overall pick is included which the Sharks may even move as well, but what the Blackhawks have in heaps are deep and talented defenseman prospects, something Grier could be very interested and tempted by. Players like Wyatt Kaider, Ethan Del Mastro, Nolan Allan, and Kevin Korchinski are all likely to be available through the year for the Blackhawks, two of the four potentially being moved, most likely Allan and Kaiser. But with the Blackhawks having a clear idea and setup for their defensive core for the next few years, moving a player who has the potential like Nolan Allan could tempt Grier, and would be a prospect who has already proved himself a bit in the NHL who wouldn't be a big gamble. Even if Davidson had to bite the bullet on former top 10 pick Kevin Korchinksi, it wouldn't be the end of the world for the Blackhawks, and could easily take the gamble to secure Misa, and would even be more tempting for Grier.

Although it seems like a big package for Chicago, it wouldn't exactly hit them like a freight train, and would just be a small sacrifice to get the guy they so desperately want. San Jose receive- Kevin Korchinski/Nolan Allan, Lukas Reichel, 2025 3rd overall pick, 2025 98th overall pick, Chicago receive- 2025 2nd overall pick, 2025 95th overall pick would be a more than acceptable trade on the day for both teams, Grier gets his prospects and still maintains a top 3 pick, and the Blackhawks secure the second overall and their chances at Michael Misa, alongside a third round pick on the side. As a mock trade it definitely is interesting, and is a deal that could be one to think about in terms of value for both teams.