Major Development & Team Linked to Goalie Laurent Brossoit

Laurent Brossoit, NHL goaltender, skates during pregame with Winnipeg Jets

Laurent Brossoit hasn't played a game for the Chicago Blackhawks since signing a two-year, $6.6 million deal with them in the summer of 2024. He's been out recovering first from knee surgery, then hip surgery. It's cost him a season and a half, but he's getting closer to a return.

Insider Elliotte Friedman noted on Hockey Night in Canada that, while his future doesn't appear to be in a Blackhawks uniform, as they don't have room for him in their crease, a notable suitor is lurking, and Chicago has given teams the green light to try to make a deal:

The Blackhawks have given teams permission to talk to him. So (they) can understand what his situation is, what his exact surgery was, and what the process is (to return)... I think he’s going to be on a conditioning stint by next week at the latest... he will be watched closely.

When he last played, as a backup to Connor Hellebuyck with the Winnipeg Jets in 2023-24, Brossoit had a stellar season, posting a 15-5-2 mark, with a .927 save percentage (for the second straight season) and a 2.00 goals against average. But he was injured in the 2024 playoffs in his only appearance, and it's been a struggle since then to get the medical procedures done right.

"He could have given up because those were some bad injuries, but he wanted to try," added Friedman.

Edmonton Oilers could be landing spot for Laurent Brossoit

With a $3.3 million cap hit, it would be difficult to fit him into any team's current salary cap structure, but nevertheless, Friedman feels the Edmonton Oilers could have him on their radar. But some retention would obviously be needed.

"You’re going to ask Chicago to keep money if you’re the Oilers,” Friedman said. “But the thing about him is… he hasn’t been healthy, but he doesn’t really cost you anything to go do it... aside from a pick. It’s not a heavy cost like a guy like (Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Tristan) Jarry would be. So I’m wondering if that’s a guy who’s now on Edmonton’s radar.”

Wherever Brossoit winds up, it sounds like he's determined to be ready for a return to NHL action sometime in the next few weeks.

He's been a solid backup his entire 10-year career, with a .911 save percentage across 140 appearances, and a 2.64 GAA. He was the starter for the Vegas Golden Knights when they began their 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff run, but an injury sidelined him eight games into the postseason and he was forced to give way to Adin Hill, who finished off the Cup run for Vegas.