Confirmed Trade: [CHI/WPG] Dmitry Kuzmin for Isaak Phillips

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From what I've seen, Phillips looks like a toolsy guy that can skate well. Know nothing about the prospect.

Likely an AHL deal
 
Philips could be decent but it is just such a logjam in our system especially with more arriving like Rinzel from ncaa later this year.

His fate was sealed when another depth guy, Crevier, looked better in the role..

Edit: now I see Kuzmin is also a D man so i donno..
 
Isaak Phillips was a 2020 5th round pick, who played in the AHL a year early due to COVID. He's had various stints with the Blackhawks over the last four season, most lengthy being a 33 game split season year last season. In total, has 56 games played in his career. At one time, he was basically even organizationally with Alex Vlasic who beat him out for a spot last season and never looked back, and this season was beaten out by Nolan Allan, despite Allan still being waiver-exempt. Phillips cleared waiver this year then was assigned down at the end of the 30-day window and played in Rockford all season to this point.

Chicago's situation with young defensemen/prospects is a bit crowded and with Phillips failing to establish himself this year in a make or break season, didn't really have a spot in Chicago's longterm plans. So I am not surprised to see him go.

I've seen a bit of Kuzmin with Manitoba, but never in a notable way. Looks like he has one year after this on his ELC, but doesn't look like a player pushing for a roster spot. He is from Belarus, so he could be a guy they hope will help Levshunov with cultural acclimination down in Rockford.
 
Phillips has had plenty of chances to nail down NHL spot but hasn't shown consistency. As pending RFA the Hawks likely viewed him as not part of plan going forward and are moving him out for younger D prospect for Rockford signed thru next season who appears to know Lev and can be helpful for him in his development/etc in Rockford rest of year




Phillips got passed by Kaiser, Nolan and Crevier among Hawks prospects in last couple years so moving on makes sense for both sides
 
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The levshunov stuff explains a lot, I was a bit puzzled why the Blackhawks would give us an AHL/NHL LD for an AHL/ECHL LD.

Best of luck to Kuzmin!
 
I hate you Kyle. I loved Isaak in our pool. He had the best +/- from Rockford's defense by a significant margin
 
Good for Phillips. Gives him a chance to make the NHL somewhere else as it appears his opportunity with Chicago ran its course. I wish him well.
 
Phillips is a terrible D even in the AHL. Also Kuzmin is a fellow Belarusian to play LD with Levshunov.
 
I was a bit puzzled why the Blackhawks would give us an AHL/NHL LD for an AHL/ECHL LD.
Just isn’t room for Phillips (01). Season is over half over. Fell behind Vlasic (01), Kaiser (02), Allan (03) all of whom play on left side. Then you have Korchinski (04) who was a high pick and will need nhl opportunity next season. You’d also like to see what you have with Del Mastro (03) will be in the last year of his elc next year. Phillips was already post ELC and a waiver clear. On right side, Crevier (01) is in same contract situation as Phillips and got a call up and has played pretty well. Rinzel (04) is probable to sign following his college season and then of course Levshunov (05) was a very high pick.

There was just no way he was going to be signed and a super low likelihood that something would happen between now and end of season that would cause that to be thought about differently. Probably a little bit of a do right by if there’s a shot there with Winnipeg based on injuries. He does have a shot to be a 6/7 defenseman in a 200-300 game nhl carer as he doesn’t 24 until September. It just wasn’t going to be so in Chicago.
 
We already have Morrissey, Samberg, Heinola, Stanley and Fleury as LHD on the Jets roster as it is.. He's not going to get any time on the Jets unless there's significant injuries. Just an AHL move to help bolster the Moose.
 
We already have Morrissey, Samberg, Heinola, Stanley and Fleury as LHD on the Jets roster as it is.. He's not going to get any time on the Jets unless there's significant injuries. Just an AHL move to help bolster the Moose.
Isn’t fleury injured
 

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