Sharks Acquire goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood: Trade Analysis and Future Implications
Mackenzie Blackwood is entering his second season with the San Jose Sharks after being acquired in a trade from the New Jersey devils on June 27, 2023. As he approaches the final season of a two-year, $4.7 million contract (averaging $2.35 million annually), Blackwood is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2024.
In his NHL career, spanning 215 games (201 starts) with both the Sharks and the Devils, Blackwood has a record of 81 wins, 91 losses, and 25 overtime losses. He boasts a 3.07 goals-against average (GAA), a .905 save percentage, and 11 shutouts.
Sharks general Manager Chris MacFarland commented on the trade, stating, “I’m not going to comment on contract negotiations or anything like that. Obviously, we want the player to get settled in hear, focus on the hockey, and when the time is right, we’ll certainly see if there’s something that can make sense. I’d be lying to you if I said we’re acquiring him for just four months of hockey. We’ll let him do his thing and take care of what’s necessary on the ice. The focus right now is on hockey, and that’s where I think it’ll stay in the near future.”
Filip Georgiev, currently the Sharks’ goaltender, has recorded a record of 8 wins and 7 losses with a 3.38 GAA and a .874 save percentage in 18 games (17 starts) this season. Georgiev, 28, is also in the final season of a three-year contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Over 272 regular-season games (258 starts) with both the Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers,he holds a career record of 144 wins,89 losses,and 22 overtime losses,with a 2.89 GAA, .907 save percentage, and 15 shutouts.
Blackwood may have his first chance to play with the Sharks (10-15-5) against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
MacFarland noted the complexities of acquiring a goaltender during the season,stating,”You got to give to get.The goalie market is a challenge; it’s not easy in-season to acquire starting goaltenders in this league.We wanted to get ahead of it, and that was the cost of doing business. They’re playing really competitive hockey right now, and there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Sharks. [General manager Mike Grier] saw an opportunity to add a young player at the right age for our mix. While we weren’t enthusiastic about moving Nikolai, we felt that to seize the chance to add Mackenzie, we had to include him in the deal.”
The Sharks have also acquired a fifth-round pick in 2025 from Colorado, which could escalate to the worse of the avalanche’s two fourth-round picks if two of the following three conditions are met:
- The Avalanche reach the Western Conference final this season.
- Blackwood wins 25 games from Monday through the end of the regular season.
- Blackwood starts 30 games from Monday through the end of the regular season.
What are your thoughts on the impact of this trade for both teams? Join the discussion in the comments below!