Kate Pettersen: “As we discussed previously, many of our insights have proven accurate, especially concerning the Avalanche’s goaltending dilemma. Over the past ten days, they’ve been particularly active in the market. They secured Scott Wedgewood, yet questions linger about their primary goaltender. Will Mackenzie Blackwood be the answer to their problems? We’re about to find out, but on paper, it appears they have bolstered their goaltending duo.”

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What are your thoughts on Colorado’s situation, and what further steps should they consider to maintain their competitive edge?

Pagnotta: “Kate, as you mentioned, we discussed the implications of the Wedgewood acquisition last week. It left us questioning if that was truly the solution, which was clearly not the case as they subsequently acquired Blackwood from San Jose.”

Pagnotta continues, “This trade was on the verge of happening last week, with discussions ongoing for over a week. The deal finally materialized on Monday, indicating that Colorado’s offer was appealing enough for San Jose to act. The Sharks kept their cards close to their chest throughout this process, which is commendable.”

Ultimately, Colorado recognized the importance of addressing their goaltending issues. Their initial confidence in Alexandar Georgiev dwindled as the season progressed. They decided to bring in Blackwood, whose statistics might not stand out, but considering he played for a struggling San Jose team, his underlying performance metrics are noteworthy.

Moving forward, Colorado must focus on managing their salary cap effectively. The key question remains: Can Gabe Landeskog return to play this season? His status will significantly influence the Avalanche’s ability to make impactful moves as the trade deadline approaches.

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As it stands, the Avalanche seem to have stabilized their goaltending situation, but they will monitor how this impacts their roster and potential additions as the season progresses.

Bernstein: “It seems fitting to call them the Colorado Forests, considering they now have Scott Wedgewood, Mackenzie Blackwood, and …”

Pagnotta: “Miles Wood.”

Bernstein: “Exactly, Miles Wood. The bottom line is this: whether you’re a fan of the Avalanche or not, the general manager made a decisive move. Everyone recognized that the team was underperforming, and this adjustment clears the way for Yaroslav Askarov in San Jose without a doubt.”

Bernstein adds, “Blackwood’s performance has shown promise, with notable statistics indicating he made 50 saves in both his first and last games as a Shark. This raises questions about his ability to handle a significant workload. If he can recapture his form from his days with New Jersey, the Avalanche could be in a strong position.”

After all, the Colorado Avalanche have a rich history, including a championship won with Darcy Kemper in goal, and they are hopeful that Blackwood can replicate that success.

Despite their offensive strength, the Avalanche have struggled to keep the puck out of the net consistently. This new goaltending tandem should enhance their defensive capabilities. However, whether this improvement is enough to propel them through multiple playoff rounds remains uncertain. Regardless, the Avalanche deserve credit for proactively addressing their goaltending gap.

Pagnotta: “Additionally, we should consider what San Jose might do in the future, especially since Georgiev is on an expiring contract. They also have opportunities to add more salary space.”

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San Jose has other valuable assets that could be sought after by teams later in the season, with Mikael Granlund being one of them.

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