In a trade that won't register as much of a splash in NHL circles, the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets completed a deal involving defensemen who have primarily played in the AHL this season.

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Chicago dealt Isaak Phillips, a 6-foot-3 left-shot defenseman, who has appeared in 199 AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs. Meanwhile, Winnipeg shipped out Belarusian defenseman Dmitry Kuzmin, who is in his second year of pro hockey with 21 games played with the Manitoba Moose this season. Phillips is 23, while Kuzmin is 21.

For Winnipeg, they'll get a player that is closer to able to help their NHL roster as Phillips brings some size and physicality to the mix. He has appeared in 56 NHL games over his career, including 33 last season, but just three during the 2024-25 campaign. It's also not a player they have to necessarily make a long-term commitment to as Phillips is in the last year of his contract currently.

Phillips helps fill out the depth a bit more for Winnipeg and gives them some insurance as they start gearing up for a long run in the postseason.

Kuzmin has another year left on his entry-level deal after this one and is a little younger. I'd be surprised if he's part of Chicago's long-term plans given what they have coming on their blue line over the next few seasons. That said, it's a player that adds a slightly different dynamic to their team.

On top of that, Kuzmin has a relationship with Artyom Levshunov, Chicago's No. 2 overall pick from the last draft who is also currently with Rockford. The two played on Belarus national teams together and anything that can be done to make one of your top prospects even more comfortable is probably not a bad thing.

Manitoba currently sits in last place in the Central Division, while Rockford is 10 points ahead with three more games played. 

The parent clubs, however, are in wildly different situations. The Jets have been among the NHL's best teams and sit atop the Western Conference with a points percentage of .700. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks sit dead last as their rebuild continues.

A player like Phillips, who has kind of been a tweener in the AHL and NHL, wasn't likely going to be part of Chicago's long-term plans as they hit the latest phase of their rebuild. With Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski and current University of Minnesota defenseman Sam Rinzel among the future core of the team's blue line, it probably made it somewhat easier to move on from Phillips even though losing him is going to make Rockford's blue line a bit smaller.

A fresh start for Phillips in a new organization may also allow him to break through and find a role somewhere. He's still just 23 years old and has shown an ability to hang at the NHL level.

The Rockford IceHogs will be in action this weekend against the Iowa Wild. Saturday's game will be FloHockey's free game of the week. For more information on how to watch, click here. Meanwhile, the Moose have an all-Canadian series coming up with the Toronto Marlies.

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