You have no one to replace Keith is why you don't pass up a bpa top 10 pick that could be a top pair Dman.
The let's make moves for now happened, that's over and done with. That's what 16 & 17 were and dumb trades or moves were for that push.
The moves last offseason were deliberately to not go for short term plans. To turn around 180 in one season is idiotic. If they should be all for going for it it'd be a lot better with Hjammer and Panarin on expiring deals
I don't think any of the Dmen that might be around at the 8 spot have much of a chance of being a legit #1D. This isn't like the year with Hanafin, Provorov and Werenski, where all 3 were projected to be top pairing D. That draft was identified as deep up front with D prospects.
But let's say the Blackhawks get lucky (and or do a good job, however you want to frame it) and the guy they draft over-shoots his prognostications. It's still going to take several years for him to enter the lineup, and potentially years after that for him to actually be great at the NHL level.
It took Seth Jones for example, years to be a great Dman on Nashville, and it wasn't until a few years later in Columbus, paired with Werenski that he became a legit top-pairing impact player.
Karlsson was drafted in 2008. It took him til 2012 to make an impact.
And we all know the story with Keith, who was drafted in 2002 took awhile to make the NHL and struggled mightily until roughly 2007.
IF the Blackhawks do draft an impact player at 8, they're not going to be ready to help in time. Because by the time they a) get here and b) get good enough to be a legitimate impact contributor, the pillars of the core will be just that many years older and slower, and they won't be able to carry as much weight.
I'd be willing to part with one or both of the picks for legit help on D. I think an significant enough IMMEDIATE improvement to our d-corps is worth that price, depending on the guy.
Karlsson would certainly be worth both.
Hanafin, Slavin, OEL would certainly be at least 1, though you'd have to add. But if OEL wants 8mil as reported, that's a non-starter.