A trade between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild has been finalized and there's a clear winner

The Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild combined for a trade during the 2022 season, and it has now been finalized.

Sadly for Chicago, they are not receiving a first-round pick in the 2022 Marc-Andre Fleury trade, as the Minnesota Wild failed to reach the Western Conference Finals this season after acquiring the future Hall of Fame goaltender years ago.

Thankfully for the Blackhawks, they did receive a second-round pick, No. 57 overall, which they used to draft Ryan Greene.

Greene has the improved Blackhawks' highly regarded prospect pool and youth-movement, he hasn't matched Fleury's historic career, of course.

With Fleury now retiring after the Wild's recent playoff exit, Greene's professional career is just beginning.

If Greene evolves into a playmaking center as he's expected to be, that drives playoff success, the trade could declare the Blackhawks as clearcut winners.

The Blackhawks' acquisition of Fleury in 2021 by former GM Stan Bowman quite the mistake in the midst of an era that needed a rebuild.

Trading Fleury before the 2022 deadline was a smart move, prioritizing draft assets.

Greene's development is now underway and his 71 assists at Boston University, alongside elite talents like 2024's No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini, shows he has what it takes to play with top talent.

If he can anchor a top-two line-or at minimum, a third line role, the Blackhawks may be clear winners.