Chicago Blackhawks complete trade with Winnipeg Jets involving star-studded young defenseman

According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Chicago Blackhawks have traded left-handed defenseman Isaak Phillips to the Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks are too loaded in organizational depth for left-handed players, and sadly Phillips is the odd man out.

The Blackhawks are acquiring another... left handed defenseman?

The Blackhawks have acquired Dmitri Kuzmin in return for Isaak Phillips, a truly concerning move by Kyle Davidson, what is he thinking?

Kuzmin was a third round pick (no. 82 overall) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2021 season, he has never made his NHL debut yet, and has tallied four points in 21 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL this season.

Phillips is a hefty kid, 6-foot-3 and 205lbs, meanwhile the Blackhawks are downsizing, acquiring 5-foot-10, 187 pound defenseman.

But the Blackhawks are reportedly getting left-handed defenseman Dmitry Kuzmin in return.

There may be underlying reasoning for this trade, and something bigger may be happening in Chicago with the chances of Seth Jones being traded.

Kuzmin is a former teammate of Blackhawks' 2nd overall pick Artyom Levshunov in Belarus, and Blackhawks prospect Gavin Hayes in the OHL during the 2022-23 season, where he posted 59 points in 65 games.