A Draft Day Deal
The Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have traded the draft rights of forward prospect Jack Pridham to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. The move clears a path for the Lightning to keep the player's rights after he committed to attending college.
Pridham, the son of former Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, capped his junior season with the Kitchener Rangers by helping the team capture the Memorial Cup. In 48 games during the 2024‑25 campaign he recorded 27 goals and 27 assists, and the following year he ranked second in the OHL with 46 goals and 90 points in 65 appearances.
Selected 92nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, the forward quickly became a top offensive threat in the league. The Athletic’s prospect analyst Scott Wheeler placed him 13th among the Blackhawks’ system, underscoring the high expectations placed on the youngster.
The trade reflects a strategic shift for both franchises. While Chicago receives a future draft asset, Tampa Bay secures a player who has already proven his ability to produce at a high level and who will now continue his development in the NCAA before turning professional.