Blackhawks just received the best NHL Draft news imaginable

Imagn Images

Blackhawks just received the best NHL Draft news imaginable

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jun 3, 2026 12:14 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into a critical offseason in which they could really take a step to the next level with right moves.

The Blackhawks have missed the playoffs six years in a row, equaling their longest drought since 1952. However, they have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, and armed with cap space and a host of draft capital, they are set up very nicely for the summer.

Chicago owns the fourth overall pick in the NHL Draft next month, so that decision will be pivotal. The general consensus is that the Blackhawks covet Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, but there have been questions about whether or not he will actually make it to Chicago at No. 4.

But the Blackhawks just received some fantastic news in that regard, and it involves a choice the Vancouver Canucks — who are drafting directly head of Chicago at No. 3 — just made earlier in the week.

Chicago Blackhawks might have been gifted Ivar Stenberg

Jan 2, 2026; St. Paul, Minnesota, UNITED STATES; Sweden forward Ivar Stenberg (15) skates with the puck as Latvia forward Daniels Serkins (24) defends during the second period in the quarterfinals of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The top four prospects in this year’s class are widely considered to be Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid, Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra.

McKenna and Reid are expected to go at pick Nos. 1 and 2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks. Many have been anticipating that the Canucks would take Stenberg third overall, but that may have just changed due to the fact that they have hired Manny Malhotra as their new head coach.

Yes, that’s Caleb’s father.

While Manny surely won’t want to be accused of nepotism, it will certainly be very hard for him to avoid passing up on the opportunity to coach his son on the NHL level. Not to mention the fact that there were some who felt Vancouver would select Malhotra even before Manny was named head coach.

Should the Canucks take Malhotra, it would open the door for the Blackhawks to steal Stenberg at No. 4, which could potentially provide Connor Bedard with an outstanding partner for the years to come.

Of course, it would also open the door to a potential trade. Perhaps a team that really wants Stenberg would be willing to trade up to No. 4 to acquire him, and Chicago may be able to come away with quite a haul.

In either case, this is terrific news for the Blackhawks.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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