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Blackhawks Trade Shocker: Salary Cap Maneuver or Future Regret?
8 Jan
Summary
- Blackhawks acquired Ryan Ellis and Jake Furlong in a trade.
- Ryan Ellis's contract moves to LTIR, impacting Chicago's cap space.
- Nolan Allan and Laurent Brossoit were traded away by Chicago.
The Chicago Blackhawks have executed a trade that appears to be primarily a financial maneuver rather than a hockey-centric move. The team acquired veteran defenseman Ryan Ellis, young prospect Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round pick from San Jose.
This transaction brings Ellis, who has not played since 2021 due to injuries, to Chicago. His contract is slated to move directly to Long-Term Injured Reserve, adding to the team's salary cap burden alongside Shea Weber's deal until the end of the 2026-27 season. Jake Furlong, a 2022 draft pick, is a young forward yet to debut in the NHL.
In exchange, Chicago parted ways with defenseman Nolan Allan, a 2021 first-round pick, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit, who signed in the 2024 offseason but never played for the team. This trade allows Brossoit to pursue playing time elsewhere, while Allan's departure signals Chicago's crowded prospect pool on defense. The long-term wisdom of trading Allan remains to be seen.
