Blackhawks Trade Taylor Hall to Carolina in Three-Team Trade

So, what gives? Chicago retained 50% of Mikko Rantanen's sizable contract and received a third-round pick?

There's some maths involved here.

With Taylor Hall's production declining as of late, his trade value sunk. Not that it was high to begin with. Receiving a second-round pick would have been considered a big win. But let's be real, you aren't getting that with an aged fourth-liner with a history of injuries. Even if the Hawks retained 50% of Hall's contract. 

I don't think anyone is mad about the perceived value of Hall in this trade. Even with the "name recognition."

Instead, Kyle Davidson is taking on 50% of Rantanen's contract. Instead of taking on $3 million from Hall's contract, the Blackhawks are now taking on $4.625 million. Now, two of three retention spots are taken, which will all be open in the summer anyway.

Now, the Blackhawks have a roster spot open for a prospect. And we don't know what the value of Hall was. Maybe this was the best they could get for Hall.

That's not why I'm underwhelmed though. 

Asset management. Why are we getting a third-round pick for trading Taylor Hall and retaining Rantanen's salary? Yeah, the Blackhawks are loaded to the teeth in draft picks. But why not leverage something from the Avs? Make them pay a little something for using one of their retention spots?

A fair point in the consideration here is that the Blackhawks' pick will be an early third-round selection. Rather than getting a playoff team's third-round pick, the Hawks are getting a pick that is arguably similar to a late second here. Again, it may be underwhelming, but GMKD may deserve some apologies from fans.