The Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets announced they have completed an AHL trade, with the Blackhawks receiving forward Dmitry Kuzmin from the Jets in exchange for defenseman Isaak Phillips.
Phillips has one goal in three games with the Blackhawks and eight points in 28 games with the Rockford IceHogs this season.
Kuzmin has one goal and four points in 21 games for the Manitoba Moose this season.
A fifth round pick in 2020, Phillips has appeared in 56 career NHL games, recording 12 points and averaging 16:00 of time on ice.
The 23-year-old has experience playing big minutes in the AHL and should comfortably slide onto the top pair for a Moose team that have had trouble keeping the puck out of the net this season.
Phillips also serves as a viable option for the Jets as they deal with an injuries to Colin Miller and Haydn Fleury.
A third round selection the 2021 draft, Kuzmin has had trouble adapting to the pro game, recording seven points in 39 career AHL games with Manitoba and nine points in 24 ECHL games with the Norfolk Admirals.
Kuzmin is talented with the puck and should be given an opportunity to prove himself with the IceHogs.
As Rockford broadcaster Dana Grey pointed out, Kuzmin and Blackhawks second overall pick Artyom Levshunov are friends and former teammates with Team Belarus which should help his transition to a new team.
The Hockey News Chicago and Winnipeg also dove into this trade.
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