So... fine, let's say CHI doesn't get Bedard - I'm on board with that, because, statistically - they shouldn't have.
Nope, nope, nope... you can't have your argument AND Fantilli.
No.
Here's what we have, anybody can choose:
Roster Choice #1: 2023-24 season: CHI has current roster + Dach (contract unknown) + DeBrincat (RFA) + Zach Benson (let's say, #6 overall pick, because 2022/23 Hawks team with Dach/DeBrincat probably/possibly finishes 5th/6th last in NHL - above ARI/MON)
Roster Choice #2: 2023-24 season: CHI has current roster + Nazar, Gavin Hayes (via Dach trade) + Korchinski (via DeBrincat trade) + either Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov ++ (because they finish 3rd last in NHL) [++, because, fairly, there is/was a chance at Bedard]
^Notably towards this one... the #1 in 2024 Macklin Celebrini will be a pretty damn fine NHL-er. CHI is, IMO, worst team in NHL with roster above. If they are holding Dach/DeBrincat, they are a 5th/6th-last-ish NHL team... as you say "improving" with this roster - so they aren't in shape to land Celebrini in 2024.
It's basically this:
One of Z.Benson/W.Smith (an 80/100 type player) + DeBrincat + Dach + 8%-ish shot at Celebrini in 2024
vs.
One of Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov (a 90/100 type player) + Korchinski + Nazar + 25% shot at Celebrini in 2024
I'm taking Roster #2.
[As side-bar... Chicago landing Bedard turns the corner for this team away from the Kyle-Beach-era.
That move alone... a possible distraction of positive-enormity from Kyle Beach... is value to the franchise that couldn't be "built" with DeBrincat & Dach.
Even on its own... the move of Davidson tanking the team so blatantly was "better bad press coverage" (than all things Kyle Beach).]