6th year right wing, Colin Blackwell(43) was left unprotected by New York Rangers, where he scored a career high 12 goals and 10 assists in 47 NHL games with a +2 rating on a non-playoff team.
The small-ish 5’9″ but solid 190 lbs. forward was maybe a little surprisingly scooped by Seattle Kracken in the player draft, so the final year of his contract becomes absorbed by his new club.
He was originally drafted by San Jose Sharks in the 7th round of 2011 after an outstanding season at St. John’s Prep, where as the team captain he bounced in 33 goals with 33 assists in 25 USHS-Prep games.
The Lawrence, MA native never signed an entry level deal, but instead inked an AHL agreement with affiliate San Jose Barracuda to stay in the system.
Instead of staying, he branched out for another minor league deal, but instead moved east with Rochester Americans.
This season saw him connect, bagging 17 goals and 28 assists in 57 games with a +15 rating, then adding another 3 points in three playoff contests.
The five year Harvard University Crimson senior standout (6-13-19 in 28) would find his first big league suitor, Nashville Predators signed him to a 2-year contract.
He split for another pair of years with the 2nd being one-way, so finally went for the cash and found himself making the opening night roster for 2020/2021 and sticking with his always hard style play.
The 28-year old will do amazing things for his new club and become a fan favorite, no doubt.
A near end of season trade sent him to Toronto Maple Leafs for the last 19 games of 2021/2022.
His numbers were maybe a little lower than expected, but he is masterful in that role as an on ice pest.
Unsurprisingly, he signs a 2-year, $1.2M AAV deal going forward with Chicago Blackhawks, a team that could use an infusion of energy.
After 2 years with one team, an unrestricted free agent once again, he signs with Dallas Stars, scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 63 games with a +4 rating, is well-liked to earn a 2-year deal to stay for 2026/2027.
