The Chicago Blackhawks addressed their clogged goaltending system on Thursday, sending minor-league netminder Malcolm Subban to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for future consideration.
The #Blackhawks have announced that they have traded goaltender Malcolm Subban to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/ADIlGedLRB
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 2, 2021
The deal gives Subban a new lease on life, opening an opportunity to play NHL games with a Buffalo squad desperate for sound goaltending. Subban had spent the entirety of this season with the Rockford IceHogs in a three-goalie system, historically a poor situation for each receiving the ice time in practice and games they need.
Subban, a first-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, was acquired by the Blackhawks at the 2020 trade deadline as part of the Robin Lehner trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Subban appeared in a total of 17 games with the Blackhawks between the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, accumulating a 6–8–1 record, a 3.20 goals against average and a .900 save percentage in those outings. The younger brother of P.K. Subban, Malcolm played in five games for the IceHogs this season prior to the trade, posting a 2–2–1 record with a lackluster 3.38 goals against average and .893 save percentage.
With Rockford’s goalie situation now addressed, there are two big winners from the deal: Subban obviously, and also Collin Delia, who had frequently been benched with the IceHogs in favor of both Subban and Arvid Soderblom. With Subban gone, Delia should start seeing more regular opportunities to show his abilities.
