The Colorado Avalanche, once hailed as a frontrunner for the Stanley Cup, now find themselves in a precarious position, scrambling for a wild-card playoff spot. The recent acquisition of goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks not only underscores the team’s urgent need for stability in net but also highlights a significant shift in their goaltending approach. This trade, along with their other recent moves, is illustrative of a team desperate to recapture their winning form.
The Avalanche’s goaltending situation had spiraled into uncertainty, prompting the front office to take decisive action. In a fairly complex trade, the Avs sent goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, among others, to the Sharks in exchange for Blackwood and forward Givani Smith. It’s noteworthy that the Avalanche also retained $476,000 of Georgiev’s salary to facilitate this deal. By bringing Blackwood into the fold, the Avalanche are not just acquiring a new player but are also attempting to mend a frayed goalie tandem characterized by inconsistency and a worrying save percentage.
In the wake of this trade, it becomes evident that Colorado is not satisfied with their current netminders. Recent transactions, such as swapping backup goaltenders with the Nashville Predators, indicate an aggressive pivot towards reshaping their roster. Scott Wedgewood’s impressive 4-0 shutout against the New Jersey Devils also serves as a reminder that the Avalanche are keen on recalibrating their defensive capabilities. This shows a dual focus on both goaltending and the efficacy of overall team performance.
What amplifies the urgency in addressing goaltending is the Avalanche’s perplexing statistics. Despite ranking in the top 10 for fewest scoring chances and shots allowed per game, they are carrying the NHL’s second-lowest team save percentage, clocking in at a disappointing 88.8%. This anomaly could stem from several issues: player injuries, lack of cohesion in defense, or underperforming goaltenders. Notably, the team has cycled through four different goalies before even reaching the 30-game mark of the season, contrasting starkly with the previous season where only three goaltenders were utilized across 82 games.
Although Blackwood’s statistics reveal a 6-9-3 record this season with a 3.00 goals-against average, they can be misleading without considering his .910 save percentage—ranking him 12th among goalies with sufficient playtime. His GSVA (goals saved above expected) of 3.9, while not stellar, suggests he has the potential to mitigate damage for a team struggling in net.
Blackwood’s transition to the Avalanche is also notable for his status as a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, which adds another layer of complexity to his role. Colorado has a chance to evaluate his fit with the team while potentially addressing broader organizational goals. Wedgewood, too, is signed for an additional year, indicating that the Avalanche might be considering a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.
On the other side of the trade, the Sharks are in a rebuilding phase. Georgiev joins Vitek Vanecek in a tandem that could give San Jose some stability, but both are also pending UFAs, reflecting a similar predicament for the Sharks as they look to rebuild by acquiring valuable assets through trades.
As the Avalanche (16-13-0) tie with the Edmonton Oilers in points and clutch the last wild-card spot, they find themselves at a crossroads. The pressure is building to right the ship and secure a playoff berth. The trades and overall strategy of employing new goaltending talent bracket a crucial period in the franchise’s pursuit of playoff success. As the days lead up to the trade deadline, the Avalanche’s moves will be scrutinized for their potential to reshape not just the current roster, but the team’s identity moving forward.
The Avalanche’s current goaltending strategy signifies both an acknowledgment of critical issues and a commitment to improvement, reflecting their ongoing grappling with expectations as reigning champions in a competitive landscape.