BS Meter on the Latest 2024 NHL Draft, Free Agency and Trade Rumors | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

On May 24, the Chicago Blackhawks sentthe No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and two second-rounders to the New York Islanders for the 18th overall selection and a 2024 second-round pick. Chicago had acquired the No. 20 selection from the Tampa Bay Lightning in return for Brandon Hagel on March 18, 2022.

That's led to reports of several other clubs being willing to part with their first-rounders for the right price leading up to the opening round of this year's draft. A week before the Chicago-Islanders deal, we noted the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres could move their picks.

The Canadiens also own the 26th overall pick acquired from the Winnipeg Jets. Montreal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico wondered if they might attempt to bundle that pick with one of their promising defensemen to move higher in the first-round order.

Meanwhile, Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported Utah could be willing to move the sixth overall selection. The Hockey News' Lou Korac noted the St. Louis Blues are open to all options with their pick (16th overall). Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported the Senators are getting lots of calls about the seventh and 25th overall selections.

BS Meter: Not BS...but not a certainty

There could be more swapping of first-rounders among clubs before and during the first round. One or two clubs might part with their 2024 first-rounders in a larger deal involving an established player. Nevertheless, it's unlikely we'll see a lot of teams making these moves. Most clubs tend to stick with their picks in the opening round.