Chicago Blackhawks acquire elite-level defenseman Simon Nemec in 2022 NHL re-draft: Frank Nazar's gone

General manager Kyle Davidson struck gold in the 2022 NHL draft held in Montreal, landing defenseman Kevin Korchinski with the No. 7 overall pick and also Frank Nazar at 13th overall, which was truly a steal.

Thanks to the help of the Canadiens, a draft-day trade completed between Montreal and Chicago granted the Blackhawks the No. 13 pick at the cost of Kirby Dach.

But what if a re-draft was conducted? Would the Blackhawks still have their steal of a pick in Frank Nazar?

If NHL general managers got a glimpse into the future, it appears that Frank Nazar would have ultimately been acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who held pick No. 6 in the 2022 draft.

The Blackhawks would've been left with slim options while holding picks No. 7, No. 13, and No. 25 all in the first round.

According to the re-draft completed by The Athletic, Chicago would have selected right-handed defenseman Simon Nemec with their 7th overall selection.

So far into Nemec's NHL career, he has faced many ups and downs due to the jam-packed New Jersey Devils blue line, which features Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and other veterans.

It certainly would have changed things for the Blackhawks, as Nazar is deemed as Bedard's ideal linemate moving forward into his development, but yet again, general manager Kyle Davidson would've been in a high-pressure position to acquire Bedard a high-end forward through free agency.

Potentially Mitch Marner?

At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason, and the Chicago Blackhawks are in a much better position with Frank Nazar than they would be if Simon Nemec had been selected at 7th overall with their selection.

Despite some of the ups and downs and the ongoing crowd on the Devils' blue line, there have still been some real high highs for Nemec in the NHL, AHL and at men's worlds, and I predict that he takes a step this season between the NHL and the Olympics and goes on to have a long career as a productive top-four D in the league.