NHL Trade: Blackhawks Trade Jack Pridham To Eastern Conf. Contender

Coming off his Memorial Cup triumph this weekend, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham had until today to either sign an entry-level deal with the Hawks, or re-enter the NHL Draft. Instead, an 11th-hour trade will send Pridham's rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Jack Pridham to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2027 third-round pick pic.twitter.com/IS2pXLRqAH
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) June 1, 2026

Pridham had been developing well in the Chicago system since they selected him in the third round (92nd pick overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. He became a highly-regarded prospect in the organization, so this is a tough loss. They've recouped another third-rounder from Tampa, in next year's draft.

Pridham is committed to play in the NCAA next season, with the school expected to be announced in the coming days.

The 20-year-old forward had an excellent campaign in Kitchener this season, posting 46 goals and 90 points in 65 regular season games, and another 17 points in 18 playoff games.

He then recorded a goal and two assists in Kitchener’s Memorial Cup Championship victory on Sunday night and led the tournament with five goals and nine points.

26 seconds into the third! #Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham scores on a 5-on-3 🅿️🅿️ to make it 4-1 @OHLRangers! #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/DajrL7L93U
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 1, 2026

The Kitchener Rangers (OHL) have won the 2026 CHL Memorial Cup for the first time since 2003, with a 6-2 win over the Everett Silvertips (WHL). pic.twitter.com/j70HOnS22E
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 1, 2026