Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators to trade defenseman Antoine Vermette and forward Nick Schultz

NHL players Antoine and Nick Vermettes will be traded in the next 24 hours to Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators, according to multiple league sources.

Antoine Vermeulen will be moving to Chicago, and Nick Schultz will be getting traded to Nashville.

The Blackhawks will receive a conditional sixth-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2019.

Schultz and Vermetty will also receive second-round picks in 2019 and 2020, and third-rounder in 2020.

Vermette is entering the final year of his contract with the Blackhawks, and has been one of the team’s top defensive prospects for a number of years.

He led the team in ice time per game (4:34 per game), blocked shots per game, and ranked third among defensemen in points per game and goals against average.

The 27-year-old has played in every season of his NHL career, registering three goals and 12 assists in 79 games.

Nick Schultz is entering his fifth NHL season and has recorded three goals, nine assists and a plus-7 rating in 75 games.

He was the Blackhawks third-leading scorer in 2016-17, leading the team with 19 goals and 34 points.

Schultz is coming off a career-high 36 points in 68 games, and is expected to help the Blackhawks continue to compete for a playoff spot.

The Predators will receive the Hawks’ seventh-round and sixth-rounder, a sixth- and seventh-rounder and a third- and fourth-rounder.

The Predators will also retain the rights to the rights of defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.