TRADE ALERT: Devils Acquire defenceman in Trade From Avalanche
The initial trade of March 2024 has taken place, and though it’s not a major deal, it’s still a trade happening. The New Jersey Devils have added forward Kurtis MacDermid to their team from the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Avalanche receive a 2024 seventh-round draft pick and the rights to forward Zakhar Bardakov.
🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨
We have acquired F Kurtis MacDermid via trade with the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and forward Zakhar Bardakov.
📰 Full Details: https://t.co/lmzG6SXXvu pic.twitter.com/9uNdQmE45U
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 1, 2024
MacDermid, a 24-year-old left-handed player who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 234 pounds, entered professional hockey undrafted and embarked on his career within the Los Angeles Kings organization. During his junior career, he competed in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), dividing his time between the Owen Sound Attack and Erie Otters. Over 201 games in the OHL, MacDermid tallied 16 goals and 53 assists, totaling 69 points, resulting in a 0.34 points-per-game average.
In his NHL journey spanning 249 games, MacDermid has scored 11 goals, provided 19 assists, accumulating 30 points at a rate of 0.12 points-per-game. He has seen action with the Los Angeles Kings and the Avalanche in his NHL career. Joining the Devils marks his third venture with an NHL club within seven seasons.
What did the Avalanche acquire in Bardakov?
Zakhar Bardakov, a 23-year-old prospect hailing from Seversk, Russia, stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 198 pounds. The New Jersey Devils selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at 203rd overall, following his impressive performance in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Vityaz Podolsk. In his time with Vityaz Podolsk, Bardakov recorded eight goals and three assists for a total of 11 points across 44 games.
Presently, Bardakov is showcasing his skills in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, where he has netted six goals, assisted in six more, accumulating 12 points over 51 games this season. In his KHL career, spanning across 156 games, he has tallied 21 goals, 23 assists, amounting to 44 points, yielding an average of 0.28 points per game.
The acquisition of Bardakov bolsters the Devils’ lineup as they gear up for the postseason. Despite facing challenges this season, the team seems poised to make further moves before the trade deadline to address their ongoing struggles.
