The Blackhawks have traded left-handed defenseman Isaak Phillips to the Winnipeg Jets. Which makes sense given the organizational depth on the left side of the blue line and the appearance that Phillips had fallen on the depth chart this season.
But… the Blackhawks are reportedly getting… left-handed defenseman Dmitry Kuzmin in return.
Yeah…
Anyways, Kuzmin was a third-round pick (no. 82 overall) by the Jets in 2021. He hasn’t appeared in any NHL games yet and has four points in 21 games in the AHL with Manitoba this season. Kuzmin is listed at 5-10 and 187 pounds.
I will note that Kuzmin played with the Flint Firebirds in the OHL during the 2022-23 season, where he posted 59 points in 65 games as a teammate of Blackhawks prospect Gavin Hayes. He was also a teammate of Blackhawks prospect Artyom Levshunov on Belarus’ U20 team during the 2021-22 season as well.
Kuzmin and Levshunov are both represented by Gold Star Sports Management. Kuzmin is signed thru the 2025-26 season.