The Chicago Blackhawks' trade of Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline in 2023 is finally paying off as the biggest piece of the return, the 2025 conditional first-round pick, has now been confirmed at 25th overall for the 2025 draft.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs losing in Game 7 of the second round to the Florida Panthers, their place ends up ahead of the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, and Vegas Golden Knights, who all finished higher than the fourth ranked Maple Leafs in the regular season standings.
The Blackhawks draft third and 25th in the first round, have two second-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks along with a sixth and a seventh. Kyle Davidson has an opportunity to really add a lot more solid pieces to the organization, especially with the first-round picks and the early second rounder.
The Maple Leafs haven't done any damage in the postseason with McCabe and Lafferty isn't on the team anymore, whereas the Blackhawks have more than enough good, young defensemen on their team and in their organization and get a first-round pick that you can't be upset about.
