Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland mentioned during his media availability via Zoom on Monday that Mackenzie Blackwood will not join the team in Pittsburgh for their game on Tuesday.
MacFarland was asked during that availability if he’s had the chance to talk with the newest team acquisition since his trade.
“I chatted with him briefly. He’s under the weather, unfortunately, so we’re just going to fly him to Denver rather than fly him to Pittsburgh, [stick him] in a hotel, and then fly on a plane tomorrow with all of our guys. He’ll fly to Denver and get settled in here and hopefully feel better here pretty quickly.
“He’s super excited, as are we.”
The availability followed a trade announcement on Monday, sending goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2025 5th-round pick, and a 2026 2nd-round pick to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, the Avalanche received goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and a 2027 5th-round pick.
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This trade follows a different trade made on December 1st acquiring goaltender Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Justus Annunen.
Goaltending has been somewhat shaky for this year’s Avalanche team. Paired with the onslaught of injury issues the roster has faced since the beginning of the season, this team has been in a constant struggle to find a consistent rhythm to win games. While there are still a few forward pieces they’re looking to get back in the top nine, this factory reset in the crease is something the club feels good about.
MacFarland’s thoughts on Blackwood and Wedgewood’s game that will make this a better tandem for the team moving forward:
“That’s certainly the goal, right? [Scott Wedgewood] is a veteran, he knows the role. He’s going to push for starts, he’s going to be supportive of the other guy. He can sit for five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten days and be sharp as a tack [like] we saw in Buffalo coming off the bench. He’s a guy that if we need him to play five out of seven or seven out of ten, we feel good about it. He’s an experienced NHL goaltender, he’s a real quality teammate. He brings a lot of juice to the room and we felt that we needed that.
“With Mackenzie [Blackwood], we feel like he’s just gotten better and better every year. He’s young. He’s been outstanding in San Jose this year… His last start was stellar in Florida. We believe there’s some untapped potential in him as he’s growing as a goaltender, but we feel very excited to add him. He’s a big body, he’s athletic, we think he’s stylistically going to fit really well with how we play.”
Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
He talked about the expectations now that goaltending looks to be “solidified” for the team, saying, “In terms of the net, the goal is to get good quality goaltending every single night, which I believe they can provide… We’re looking for consistent quality starts out of both guys and I think, I believe, I hope we will have accomplished that.”
Blackwood’s current contract, two years at $2.35M, is set to expire at the end of this season. MacFarland said he had no comment on contract negotiations, but implied the option wasn’t off the table. “I’d be lying if I said we’re acquiring him for four months of hockey… We’ll let him do his thing, take care of what he has to take care of on the ice… but the focus right now is on hockey and that’s where I think it’ll stay in the near future.”
Wedgewood is signed through the 2025-26 season with a cap hit of $1.5M.
With Blackwood not joining the team for their game against the Penguins on Tuesday, the Avalanche have called up goaltender Trent Miner from the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
With Wedgewood playing a solid game in the crease, Miner will likely back him up in Tuesday’s matchup.
The team will be back in Denver for Thursday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, This game will potentially be an option to see Blackwood start for the Avalanche.
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