The Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks surprised the hockey world on Wednesday with a trade involving two young defensemen. The Jets acquired 23-year-old Isaak Phillips from the Blackhawks in exchange for 21-year-old Dmitry Kuzmin.
A Swap of Defensive Prospects
While not a blockbuster deal by any means, the Phillips-for-Kuzmin trade caught many off guard. Both players are considered defensive prospects with the potential to develop into NHL regulars.
Isaak Phillips, a 2022 5th round pick of the Blackhawks, has appeared in 3 games for Chicago this season, notching one goal. The left-handed blueliner has 56 NHL games under his belt since being drafted, amassing 2 goals and 10 assists. At 6’3″ and 210 lbs, Phillips brings good size and a physical presence.
Dmitry Kuzmin, selected by the Jets in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, has spent this season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. The young Russian has 1 goal and 3 assists through 21 games in his first professional campaign in North America. Touted for his skating ability and offensive upside, Kuzmin has yet to make his NHL debut.
Addressing Organizational Needs
For the Jets, acquiring Phillips helps address a need for left-handed depth on the blue line. Winnipeg has a solid group of righties in Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, and Dylan DeMelo, but has been thin on the left side behind veteran Brenden Dillon. Phillips should compete for a spot on the third pairing and provide injury insurance.
From Chicago’s perspective, adding Kuzmin is a bet on his long-term potential. The Blackhawks are in the midst of a rebuild and are stockpiling young talent. While it may take Kuzmin some time to adjust to the NHL game, his skating and puck-moving abilities make him an intriguing prospect to develop within their system.
Future Implications
This trade probably won’t move the needle much in the short term for either the Jets or Blackhawks. However, it could have ripple effects on both teams’ rosters and pipeline depth charts going forward.
For Phillips, joining the Jets represents a fresh start and clearer path to NHL playing time. He’ll likely slot in behind Dillon on the left side depth chart and should see some action down the stretch and into next season. If he can continue developing, Phillips could become a capable third-pairing defender.
Kuzmin faces a bit more of an uphill climb in Chicago, at least in the near term. The Blackhawks have a deeper stable of defensive prospects, so Kuzmin will need to bide his time in the AHL and make the most of any eventual opportunities with the big club. Still, his tantalizing toolkit gives him the potential to emerge as part of the Blackhawks’ future core on the back end.
The Bottom Line
On the surface, swapping a couple of young defensemen may not seem like a major trade. But for the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, exchanging Isaak Phillips and Dmitry Kuzmin is about more than just the players involved. It’s about addressing roster needs, managing assets, and planning for the future.
For the Jets, Phillips represents a cost-controlled depth piece who can contribute now and hopefully develop into a reliable defender. For the Blackhawks, Kuzmin is a long-term play with the upside to potentially outperform his draft slot. Both teams are betting on their scouting and player development to help them come out ahead in this deal.
As with any trade involving prospects and young players, it will take some time to determine a true “winner”. But for now, both the Jets and Blackhawks will hope their new additions can carve out roles and make an impact for their new organizations sooner than later. In a salary cap league like the NHL, finding contributors on entry-level deals is crucial.
So while Phillips-for-Kuzmin may not be a true blockbuster, it’s the kind of unheralded move that could pay quiet dividends in the years to come. After all, not every impactful deal needs to grab major headlines. Sometimes, it’s the subtle swaps that end up shifting the balance when all is said and done.
