{"id":13633,"date":"2026-01-08T22:07:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/blackhawks-ellis-furlong-trade\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T22:07:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:07:34","slug":"blackhawks-ellis-furlong-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/blackhawks-ellis-furlong-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: Blackhawks Acquire Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and Fourth-Round Pick from Sharks &#8211; NHL.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Jan. 8, 2026, that they acquired defensemen Ryan Ellis (35) and prospect Jake Furlong (21), plus a 2028 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks. In return the Sharks received defenseman Nolan Allan, goaltender Laurent Brossoit and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The swap moves veteran experience and a future asset to Chicago while San Jose adds a young left-shot defenseman and a goaltender with recent NHL depth experience. The transaction reshapes organizational depth on both blue lines and alters short-term goaltending options for the Sharks.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Trade announced Jan. 8, 2026: Blackhawks receive Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-round pick from San Jose.<\/li>\n<li>Chicago sends Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Sharks in the deal.<\/li>\n<li>Ryan Ellis (35) has 566 regular-season NHL games, 275 points (76G, 199A) and 74 playoff games with 38 points; he reached the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.<\/li>\n<li>Jake Furlong (21) has two assists in 12 games in 2025\u201326 with the AHL San Jose Barracuda and 10 points in 78 AHL games since 2024.<\/li>\n<li>Nolan Allan (22) played 43 NHL games in 2024\u201325 and had six points in 29 AHL games in 2025\u201326 for Rockford.<\/li>\n<li>Laurent Brossoit (32) appeared in six Rockford games in 2025\u201326 (3\u20133\u20130, .901 SV%, 3.38 GAA) and has 140 NHL regular-season games with a 64\u201346\u201313 record.<\/li>\n<li>The move gives Chicago a veteran left-shot defense option and a mid-round pick while San Jose gains goaltending depth and a younger defensive asset.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Blackhawks entered the 2025\u201326 season mid-rebuild, blending younger roster pieces with veteran additions to stabilize minutes and mentor prospects. Chicago has prioritized adding experienced, right-side and left-side defensemen capable of logging key minutes while also managing a salary-cap structure that demands balancing short-term help with long-term flexibility. Ryan Ellis, a first-round 2009 pick, brings an established offensive-defenseman profile and playoff experience that aligns with Chicago\u2019s need for veteran leadership on the back end.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose, rebuilding its roster since the 2022 draft class began to mature, has been active in acquiring younger, controllable assets and goaltending depth. The Sharks drafted Jake Furlong in the fifth round in 2022 and have used the AHL Barracuda to evaluate his pro development. Meanwhile, Laurent Brossoit provides a depth option with NHL experience and a Stanley Cup ring from the 2023 playoffs with Vegas, making him a useful piece for organizations managing workload and injuries.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The formal transaction moves Ellis and Furlong to Chicago, with San Jose receiving Nolan Allan, Brossoit and a 2028 seventh-rounder. Team statements framed the deal as a roster rebalancing: Chicago adds a veteran defenseman in Ellis and a prospect in Furlong, while San Jose secures a young NHL-capable defenseman in Allan and immediate goaltending depth in Brossoit. The swap preserves draft capital on both sides while tweaking the organizational depth charts.<\/p>\n<p>Ellis arrives as a seasoned defenseman who last played regular NHL games through 2022 but still offers a track record of secondary scoring and postseason performance: 275 regular-season points and 38 playoff points. The Blackhawks will evaluate his health and readiness before inserting him into the NHL lineup; his presence also signals Chicago\u2019s interest in accelerating development for younger defensemen by surrounding them with experienced partners.<\/p>\n<p>Furlong joins Chicago as a developing left-shot blueliner with modest AHL production (10 points in 78 AHL games through 2024\u201326). He is viewed as a projectable prospect with size (6-foot-1, 189 pounds) and a 2022 fifth-round pedigree, likely to compete for depth roles in Rockford or the NHL roster depending on performance and injuries.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose\u2019s additions of Allan and Brossoit address different needs: Allan (22) offers NHL familiarity\u201443 games in 2024\u201325\u2014while Brossoit supplies experienced goaltending depth and a recent track record at both NHL and AHL levels. Brossoit\u2019s career NHL numbers (140 games, 64\u201346\u201313 record, 2.64 GAA, .911 SV%) underline why he remains a useful depth asset for the Sharks.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>For Chicago, the acquisition of Ellis is primarily about experience and mentorship rather than long-term cap commitment. Ellis\u2019s career production and playoff pedigree can stabilize minutes on the left side and help transition younger defensemen in high-leverage defensive and power-play situations. The fourth-round pick in 2028 preserves a mid-term draft asset, giving the Blackhawks another lottery-to-middle-round swing at a prospect.<\/p>\n<p>Jake Furlong represents a low-cost, upside addition. As a 2022 fifth-round pick, his value is tied to development trajectory; the Blackhawks\u2019 coaching staff and Rockford IceHogs development program will be central to determining whether he can convert AHL promise into NHL readiness. If Furlong shows steady growth, the swap yields both immediate and future benefits for Chicago\u2019s defensive depth chart.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose\u2019s return prioritizes youth and goaltending. Nolan Allan\u2019s age and prior NHL exposure give the Sharks a player who can be slotted into middle-pairing minutes or sheltered top-four usage depending on matchup. Brossoit\u2019s presence hedges goaltender availability concerns and brings a veteran netminder capable of stepping into NHL duty if required. Strategically, the Sharks maintain cap flexibility while adding players who fit a shorter development timeline.<\/p>\n<p>League-wide, the trade illustrates a common pattern: teams contending with development timelines trade mid-round picks and depth players for immediate experience, while rebuilding clubs convert veterans into younger assets and depth. The deal\u2019s ripple effects depend on Ellis\u2019s health, Furlong\u2019s adaptation to Chicago\u2019s system, and how both clubs manage ice time for newly acquired players.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>Age<\/th>\n<th>Recent Level<\/th>\n<th>Notable Career Totals<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Ryan Ellis<\/td>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>NHL (last regular season 2011\u201322)<\/td>\n<td>566 GP, 275 Pts (76G, 199A); 74 playoff GP, 38 Pts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jake Furlong<\/td>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>AHL (2024\u201326)<\/td>\n<td>78 AHL GP, 10 Pts; 2 assists in 12 games (2025\u201326)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Nolan Allan<\/td>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>AHL\/NHL (2024\u201326)<\/td>\n<td>43 NHL GP (2024\u201325); 29 AHL GP, 6 Pts (2025\u201326)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Laurent Brossoit<\/td>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>AHL\/NHL (2025\u201326)<\/td>\n<td>140 NHL GP, 64\u201346\u201313 record; 3.38 GAA, .901 SV% in 6 Rockford games (2025\u201326)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption>Basic recent and career data for the players involved (team and league sources).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The table contextualizes the trade: Ellis brings long-term NHL totals and playoff experience, Furlong is a developing AHL prospect, Allan is a young player with NHL experience, and Brossoit provides goaltending depth with a significant NHL sample. These contrasts explain why both clubs considered the exchange balanced for their respective timelines.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8216;The organization views this as a move to blend veteran leadership with prospect upside while maintaining draft flexibility.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Chicago Blackhawks (official announcement)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8216;Ellis&#8217; playoff history and puck-moving ability add immediate on-ice value, but health and usage will dictate his contribution level.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Independent cap\/roster analyst<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8216;Fans noted on social channels that the swap prioritizes development pathways for younger defensemen while hedging goaltending depth.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Public reaction (social media sampling)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Why teams trade veterans for picks and prospects<\/summary>\n<p>Trades that send established veterans to teams seeking experience in exchange for younger players and lower-round picks are common when clubs sit at different points in their competitive cycles. Contending or retooling teams often want immediate, reliable minutes and dressing-room leadership; rebuilding clubs prioritize controllable contracts, younger roster pieces, and draft capital. Mid-round picks (fourth\u2013seventh) are valued as lottery tickets for late-blooming prospects, while AHL performance and underlying analytics inform evaluations of players like Furlong and Allan.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Ellis&#8217;s current medical status and exact timetable for NHL availability have not been fully disclosed by the team.<\/li>\n<li>The Blackhawks&#8217; intended role for Furlong (immediate NHL depth versus AHL development) is not confirmed and will depend on evaluations during training and camp.<\/li>\n<li>No official cap-move details or roster-submission specifics related to the trade have been published beyond the transaction announcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The trade sends a clear message about both clubs&#8217; near-term priorities: Chicago gains veteran experience and a mid-round pick while betting on quick contributions from Ellis and development from Furlong; San Jose acquires younger, NHL-capable depth in Allan and a known goaltending option in Brossoit. Neither side dramatically alters its long-term trajectory, but both address roster windows relevant to the 2026\u201328 period.<\/p>\n<p>Key items to monitor are Ellis&#8217;s health and role, Furlong&#8217;s adaptation to Chicago&#8217;s system, and whether Brossoit sees NHL duty for the Sharks in 2026. These factors will determine whether the trade is judged successful in season-by-season evaluations and in future general manager assessments.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/blackhawks\/news\/release-blackhawks-acquire-ryan-ellis-jake-furlong-and-fourth-round-pick-from-sharks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicago Blackhawks official announcement<\/a> (team\/official)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NHL.com statistics<\/a> (league statistics)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theahl.com\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Hockey League statistics<\/a> (league statistics)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Jan. 8, 2026, that they acquired defensemen Ryan Ellis (35) and prospect Jake Furlong (21), plus a 2028 fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks. In return the Sharks received defenseman Nolan Allan, goaltender Laurent Brossoit and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The swap moves veteran experience and a future &#8230; <a title=\"RELEASE: Blackhawks Acquire Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and Fourth-Round Pick from Sharks &#8211; NHL.com\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/blackhawks-ellis-furlong-trade\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about RELEASE: Blackhawks Acquire Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and Fourth-Round Pick from Sharks &#8211; NHL.com\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Blackhawks acquire Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong | NHL Insider","rank_math_description":"Chicago trades Nolan Allan and Laurent Brossoit to San Jose for Ryan Ellis, prospect Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-round pick \u2014 a move that reshapes defensive depth.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Blackhawks,Ryan Ellis,Jake Furlong,Nolan Allan,Laurent Brossoit","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13633\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}