Why I Like Blackwood Trade — Scouts Weigh In Too (+)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Goalie trades are always hard to evaluate.

On one hand, it’s arguably the most important position in the sport.

On the other hand, there’s a glut of middle-class netminders around the NHL and their performances can be so erratic from year-to-year, or frankly, week-to-week, so you rarely get value back in a deal commensurate to a keeper’s importance to the team.

Such was the case with the San Jose Sharks’ trade of Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche.

I think the Sharks got excellent value for UFA-to-be Blackwood.

What did NHL scouts, not with the Sharks, think of the trade? And what are their thoughts about young forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a key for San Jose in this deal?