The Chicago Blackhawks remain in the thick of things in the Western Conference postseason chase, and hope to bring postseason hockey to the Windy City for what would be the first time in the Connor Bedard era.
Seeking to give goaltender Laurent Brossoit a fresh opportunity somewhere that he’ll likely have the chance for much more playing time, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has made a trade with another Western Conference club.
He’s acquired the contract of defensemen Ryan Ellis and Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks, and in return has sent Brossoit, Nolan Allan, and a 2028 seventh-round pick back to San Jose.
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Laurent Brossoit Never Played A Game With The Chicago Blackhawks
Brossoit, a former Stanley Cup winner as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Blackhawks in 2024 following what was his second stint as a member of the Winnipeg Jets.
However, Brossoit has yet to make an appearance in the NHL with the Blackhawks owing to a right knee injury that required multiple surgeries. Additionally, his return to the ice was delayed by hip surgery.
He’s played a handful of games with the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Blackhawks, and has compiled a 3-3-0 record while posting a 3.38 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
He owns an overall NHL record of 64-46-13 while playing with the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Golden Knights, recording a 2.64 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
He likely wouldn’t have gotten adequate playing time at the NHL level with the Blackhawks, as they are set for the time being with the tandem of Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom.
He now joins a Sharks team that looks to be on the rise with phenomenal young forward Macklin Celebrini leading the way.
He’ll compete for playing time with goaltenders Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic, and it will also give him a chance to compete for a new NHL contract, as he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
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Ryan Ellis Has Not Played In The NHL Since The 2021-22 Season With The Philadelphia Flyers
The acquisition of Ellis isn’t to provide depth to the blue line, but rather taking on what is the final year of his contract.
Ellis hasn’t played since suiting up in four games for the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2021-22 season, during which he suffered a devastating injury to his pelvic region that was thought to be potentially career-ending.
Furlong, a defenseman whom the Sharks selected in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, has yet to appear in an NHL contest and has played professionally with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL as well as the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL.
Allan, who played 43 games for the Blackhawks last season, was the final selection in the opening round (32nd overall) by Chicago in the 2021 NHL Draft while playing with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.
He’s appeared in 29 games with the Rockford IceHogs so far this season, scoring two goals while adding four assists.
Chicago Blackhawks Complete Multi-Player Trade With Western Conference Opponent