New Jersey Devils Trade Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks

The New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks have completed a trade which sees goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood head to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick. Kevin Weekes of ESPN was first to report the news.

**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told the @NJDevils are trading G Mackenzie Blackwood to the @SanJoseSharks for a 6th Rd Draft Pick.@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/k8po5G6brI

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 27, 2023

Blackwood became the odd man out in New Jersey after Akira Schmid burst onto the scene last season. At 26 years old, Blackwood looks to hit reset on his career in sunny California after the Devils selected him as a second-round pick back in 2015.

The Thunder Bay, ON native appeared in 22 games last season and posted a .893 save percentage. He'll look to battle Kaapo Kahkonen for the crease and should be able to secure 35-45 starts next season. The Sharks are rebuilding and this is likely just the beginning for general manager Mike Grier this offseason. The team cut ties with veteran James Reimer earlier this offseason and now has their tandem set for next season and hopefully beyond.

MacKenzie Blackwood, traded to SJ, is a goalie. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/HA0wfhTQl0

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 27, 2023

The Devils received a sixth-round pick at this year's draft. They sit with $23 million in cap space and led by an aggressive GM in Tom Fitzgerald. Expect both clubs to be very active the next 10 days. It appears they love doing business together, perhaps we see more of the same. 

Photo credit:  Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports