BREAKING: Sharks Acquire Blackwood, Sustr

The San Jose Sharks have added a new goaltender.

As initially reported by Kevin Weekes, the Sharks have sent out a 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 164) to the New Jersey Devils for MacKenzie Blackwood.

Blackwood, 26, has struggled with injuries and consistent play over the last two years. In 2019-20, however, Blackwood enjoyed a strong rookie campaign. He was sixth in the Calder Trophy voting with a 22-14-8 record and a .915 Save %.

Over the last two years though, Blackwood has the 11th-worst Goals Saved Above Expected in the NHL, -14.62 GSAx, of 53 goalies who have played 2,500 or more minutes.

It looks like Blackwood will share the San Jose Sharks’ net with incumbent Kaapo Kahkonen. Like Blackwood, Kahkonen is 26, so it looks like the Sharks are hoping to have two younger goalies with some upside dueling for playing time.

Blackwood is an RFA with arbitration rights. He is due a $3.36 million Qualifying Offer by this Friday, but it seems likely that the Sharks will negotiate a lower amount. Kahkonen, for example, has a $2.75 million AAV next season.

Internationally, Blackwood played for Canada at the 2019 World Championships and 2016 World Junior Championships.

He was originally picked by the Devils in the second round of the 2015 Draft.

That wasn’t the San Jose Sharks’ only trade today. They also sent out AHL veteran Andrew Agozzino, 32, for journeyman defenseman Andrej Sustr. The 32-year-old Czech is about to become a UFA, while Agozzino has a two-way contract for next season.