by Nicholas Mullick Twitter: @NicholasMullick
With the offseason here and the draft approaching teams are doing what they can to get themselves ready for the draft. Some teams are trying to grow their draft capital and others making sure they have depth/insurance for certain positions. This is what this trade involving Mackenzie Blackwood feels like as the New Jersey Devils have traded Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks. The details of the trade are listed below.
Trade Details New Jersey Devils Acquire: 2023 6th Round Pick San Jose Sharks Acquire: G Mackenzie Blackwood
New Jersey Devils Side
Man, talk about a fall. I mean here was a guy a few years ago who carried this team to more wins then they should have had and was viewed as the long-term goalie, to be traded for a late round pick. I mean injuries had an effect, but even when healthy Blackwood really regressed.
It was clear that Blackwood was no longer in the Devils plans the moment Akira Schmid was standing out in the playoffs. Then again, we all should have known something was up when the Devils acquired Vitek Vaneck via trade last offseason. I guess the Devils wanted to get something for him rather than losing him for nothing.
San Jose Sharks Side
Nobody should be shocked the Sharks acquired a goalie via trade. The Sharks only had one NHL goalie locked up on a new deal and it was Kaapo Kahkonen. I think this is more telling regarding the status of James Reimer and Aaron Dell as they are likely not going to be re-signed. I mean San Jose has both Eetu Makiniemi and Strauss Mann as well, but they are nowhere near ready for the NHL and will likely remain in the AHL. Acquiring Blackwood is an insurance policy for the squad and while he is an RFA, he will likely get a new deal with the Sharks. Maybe with a change of scenery, Blackwood can recapture the brilliance he had in his early Devils career.
Grades for Mackenzie Blackwood Trade New Jersey Devils: B San Jose Sharks: B+
This is a win-win deal, but I am giving the higher grade to the New Jersey Devils. They got some draft capital for a player that was not in their future. For the Sharks, I am kind of surprised that they decided to go this route, but it makes sense to play it safe in order to get much needed insurance at goalie.
Overall solid move by New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald and San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier. Hopefully this trade works for all parties including Mackenzie Blackwood.
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