San Jose Sharks activate goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood off injured reserve

The San Jose Sharks are getting one of their top netminders back.

On Thursday, the team announced that Mackenzie Blackwood is being activated off injured reserve. As a result, the team is sending goaltender Magnus Chrona down to its American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.

Blackwood was injured during a game on Feb. 27 against his former team, the New Jersey Devils. The 27-year-old left the game during a TV timeout in the first period and did not return. He was placed on IR the following day. Blackwood missed 11 games, during which San Jose went 1-8-2.

It has not been a glorious season for Blackwood, or the Sharks in general. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native has a 9-18-3 record, with a 3.48 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and one shutout.

The Sharks are set to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Blackwood is being projected to start in net, but it has been unconfirmed.

Blackwood was traded by the Devils to San Jose last June during the 2023 NHL Draft. The former Canadian National Junior Team netminder spent the first five seasons of his NHL career in New Jersey. In 187 appearances, he has a 74-75-21 record with a 3.06 GAA, .904 SV% and nine shutouts.

Since being recalled due to Blackwood’s injury, Chrona made seven starts with the Sharks, going 1-5-1 over that span. He earned his first NHL win on March 9, when San Jose beat the Ottawa Senators 2-1. Overall, the former Denver Pioneer is 1-6-1 in nine appearances with a 4.71 GAA and .859 SV%.

The Sharks (16-45-7) hold the worst record in the NHL, sitting four points behind the Chicago Blackhawks.