The San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on Tuesday.
Injuries have plagued Blackwood throughout his career thus far, resulting in less playing time for him and more opportunities for others.
Vitek Vanecek, 27, made the most of the opportunity with New Jersey during the regular season in 2022-23, posting a 33-11-4 record with three shutouts, a 2.45 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Akira Schmid, 23, received the majority of work for the Devils in the postseason, however.
Blackwood, 26, went 10-6-2 with a 3.20 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage in 22 games (20 starts) last season. He owns a 65-57-18 record with eight shutouts, a 2.97 GAA and a .906 SP in 152 career games (143 starts) since being selected by the Devils in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Blackwood, who can become a restricted free agent on July 1, is expected to battle Kaapo Kahkonen and possibly Eetu Makiniemi for playing time in San Jose.
–Field Level Media
