The Chicago Blackhawks have claimed defenseman Jaycob Megna off waivers from the Seattle Kraken. Megna has served as Seattle’s seventh defenseman since being recalled on December 12th, though his only playing time this season has been through an AHL conditioning stint that saw Megna play two games, score one goal, and record a +3 rating. Seattle traded for Megna at last season’s trade deadline, sending a fourth-round pick to the San Jose Sharks that was used to select defenseman Luca Cagnoni.
Chicago will become the sixth NHL organization that Megna has been a part of, though he’s only played NHL games for three teams – serving out minor league deals with the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. Megna’s career kicked off with the Anaheim Ducks, who took him with the second-to-last pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. He turned pro quickly, making his AHL at the end of the 2013-14 season. He spent the next four seasons in the minor leagues, capping the stretch off with 27 points scored across 62 games – a mark that remains the most Megna has scored in any league since juniors. Megna played his rookie NHL season two years later, scoring four points and recording 12 penalty minutes across 28 games.
Megna wouldn’t appear in the NHL again until he earned a strong role with the San Jose Sharks for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, playing in 44 and 48 games, respectively. Megna set an NHL career-high of 12 points in the latter season, adding 21 penalty minutes and a +6. He now joins a Blackhawks team that’s depleted of a lot of depth. He’ll look to carve out a role in competition with Louis Crevier and Jarred Tinordi.
He is a mail carrier and a river boat gambler.
Dude is living the dream. Second to last pick in the draft and he’s actually played in the NHL? This guy is awesome! Def rooting for him!!!
Wasn’t the kind of improvement I was hoping for to be honest. Davidson has the resources to go get a better RH Defenseman. I guess with all the injuries they are tossing in the towel and going for Celebrini. May the Ping Pong Balls smile again. Brian was right- Tank Mode.
Megna cost nothing. So whatever resources Davidson has (and oh my God he has resources) he can still use to get a better RH Defenseman. The question is why would he at this point? Even if they are not actively tanking, they are not a playoff team. I know we have been watching bad teams here in Chicago for too long already. But there is no point to using the assets they have worked so hard to acquire just to win four or five more games this year. Just be patient a little longer.
He stunk with the kraken but it’s still a little hard to see him basically evaporate a 4th round pick. That’s the game though I guess. Seems like he could do alright if he got enough reps somewhere. Could be a decent player I think. Maybe it’ll work out in Chicago. I hope it does.