BREAKING: Devils Trade Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks

Newark, NJ – As first reported by ESPNs Kevin Weekes, it’s now confirmed the New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick.

Blackwood (26) is a former second-round draft pick, 42nd overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft by New Jersey.

In the 2022-23 regular season, Blackwood posted 10 wins in 20 starts. He totaled a 3.20 goals against average and .893 SV%.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native did not make any appearances for the Devils in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season despite being healthy and available. Blackwood spent his entire five-year career with the Devils before being shipped off to San Jose. In 152 career games, Blackwood posted 65 wins, a .906 SV%, and 2.97 GAA.

Unfortunately, injuries have played a big factor in Blackwood’s career. Following the postseason, Blackwood revealed he dealt with an MCL injury as well as an injury to his groin. As a result, across two injury stints, Blackwood missed about 10 weeks of the regular season.

Blackwood is a pending restricted free agent. If Blackwood doesn’t sign an NHL contract by July 1st, he becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign wherever he pleases. This is the second time this summer general manager Tom Fitzgerald acquired an asset instead of letting them walk for free.

Blackwood’s days in New Jersey were numbered. Vitek Vanecek took over starting goaltender duties and Akira Schmid emerged as a viable backup option. It comes as no surprise that the Devils and Sharks connected for another trade. At the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, the Devils acquired Timo Meier from San Jose. In exchange, the Devils sent Fabian Zetterlund, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Nikita Okhotyuk among other assets.

The Sharks are listed as one of New Jersey Hockey Now’s potential trade destinations for Blackwood.

With plenty of time left this summer and reports that Fitzgerald has involved himself in the goalie market, more changes to New Jersey’s goalie crease may be in the way.

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