Blackhawks finally find a home for Laurent Brossoit

The Chicago Blackhawks traded goaltender Laurent Brossoit to the San Jose Sharks as part of a four-player deal on Thursday.

The Blackhawks received veteran defenseman Ryan Ellis, prospect defenseman Jake Furlong, and a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. The Sharks received Brossoit along with defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick.

Brossoit, 32, never played a game for the Blackhawks. He spent most of his time recovering from injuries that kept him out of action for more than a year.

Brossoit's Time in Chicago

Brossoit joined the Blackhawks in 2024 but didn't get a chance to play with the team due to being out with a knee injury that required multiple surgeries. He appeared in six games for Chicago's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, posting a 3-3-0 record with a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .901 save percentage (SV%). Chicago already had their future tandem in Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, leaving Brossoit without a clear role.

Before coming to Chicago, Brossoit played for the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Vegas Golden Knights. He won a Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023. He last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season with Winnipeg, posting a 15-5-2 record, with a 2.00 GAA and a .927 SV%.

Blackhawks Acquisitions

Ellis has not played since 2021 because of a pelvic injury. He carries an $6.25 million cap hit that runs through the 2026-27 NHL season. The addition of his salary will help the Blackhawks hit the cap floor next season, as many of the expiring veteran deals will be replaced by players on much cheaper entry-level contracts.

Furlong was selected by San Jose in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old has two assists in 12 games with the San Jose Barracuda this season. He spent four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, putting up 132 points (15 goals, 117 assists) in 227 games. He also served as team captain.

Furlong plays a two-way game, skates smoothly, and moves the puck well out of the defensive zone. He also has timely, crisp passes that can help initiate offense. While not being known for physical play, he competes in puck battles and is not afraid to be rough on the boards.

What's Next

The Blackhawks conclude their three-game homestand against the Washington Capitals on Friday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. CST on CHSN (in-market) and NHL Network (out-of-market). Fans can also tune in to the game on WGN Radio 720.