MacKenzie Blackwood Being Traded to Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche look to finally be doing something about their abysmal goaltending statistics this season. Elliotte Friedman reports that the Avalanche are trading for netminder MacKenzie Blackwood. Blackwood has played 19 games for the San Jose Sharks this season. He’s posted a .910 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.95.

Friedman then posted that Nikolai Kovalenko, Alexandar Georgiev, and a second is the package going back to San Jose. The Avalanche are retaining 14% of Georgiev’s salary in the deal with San Jose.

Hearing MacKenzie Blackwood to Colorado

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 9, 2024

Frank Seravalli tweeted the exact details of the trade:

Trade details:

To #GoAvsGo: G Mackenzie Blackwood, F Givani Smith, 2027 5th Rd Pick

To #sjsharks: G Alexandar Georgiev, F Nikolai Kovalenko, 2026 2nd Rd Pick ,2025 5th Rd Pick

He notes:

“Solid asset management and rehab by Sharks GM Mike Grier, who got rights to Blackwood for a 6th in 2023. In 10 days, the Avs have completely changed out their goaltending tandem – which isn’t easy to do in-season. In: Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood Out: Alexandar Georgiev, Justus Annunen, Kaapo Kahkonen Cost: 2nd Rd Pick, 6th Rd Pick, also a pick swap.”

The 27-year-old goaltender, who was traded from New Jersey to San Jose on June 27, 2023, recorded his fourth career 40-save shutout about a month ago. He became only the 17th goalie in NHL history to do so. Blackwood said of that game, “It’s just one of those nights where it feels easy. I don’t know why sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but sometimes pucks just seem like they’re coming in slow.”

The Avs have Alexander Georgiev and Scott Wedgewood in goal currently. Neither has been up to par for a team that has playoff aspirations. Georgiev is a pending UFA in the final season of a $3.4 million contract. He has played 18 games for the Avalanche this season and posted .874 save percentage and 3.38 goals against average. Wedgewood came over in a trade with the Nashville Predators recently. He’s been solid in the three games he’s played, with a 1.44 goals against and a .951 save percentage.

More to come

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