Blackhawks resourceful in trading prospect Jack Pridham's rights, but underlying problem remains

The Blackhawks traded prospect Jack Pridham's rights to the Lightning for a 2027 third-round pick due to expiring NHL draft rights after Pridham decommitted from Boston University. Pridham, a 2024 third-round pick, would have re-entered the 2026 draft if untraded, while the Lightning offers a clearer NHL path. A similar situation occurred with prospect Dominic James, who signed with the Lightning after his Blackhawks rights expired.