The Colorado Avalanche made an aggressive move on Monday as they pushed for Stanley Cup contention.
The Avalanche traded Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, a second-round pick, and a fifth-round pick for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a fifth-round draft pick.
General manager Chris MacFarland acquired arguably the best goaltender available on the trade market.
Blackwood had a .910 save percentage and a 3.00 goals against average in 19 games this season with the Sharks. He is seventh in the NHL in save percentage among goalies who have played in at least 19 games.
He has put those numbers up on a second-to-last team in the Pacific Division.
Compare those numbers to Geogiev who had an abysmal .874 save percentage and a 3.38 GAA and it makes the upgrade quite obvious.
In 11 days, the Avalanche have completely overhauled their goaltending tandem. The Avs acquired Scott Wedgewood last Saturday in a swap of backup goaltenders.
“We certainly went into this season believing in both guys,” MacFarland said about Georgiev and Justus Annunen. “I think in Georgia’s case, he’s shown that he can be a good goaltender in this league as evidenced by his win total the last few years and certainly in his postseason play last year. I think stats are stats. We obviously were aware of our early season goaltending struggles. That certainly was a part of it.”
The Avalanche start the season on a four-game skid while giving up over five goals a game. It has been clear since then that the Avs would be looking to upgrade the position.
Now, the Avs have their starting goaltender of the future.
“We’re excited about Mackenzie,” MacFarland said. “We certainly believe he’s a solid starter in this league.”
MacFarland believes the 28-year-old netminder has not yet reached his full potential.
“We feel like he’s just gotten better and better every year,” MacFarland said. “He’s young. He’s been outstanding in San Jose this year. His last start was obviously stellar in Florida. We believe there’s some untapped potential in him, as he’s growing as a goaltender.”
Blackwood had 49 saves on 52 shots against the Panthers on Saturday night.
“We feel very excited to add him,” MacFarland said. “He’s a big body, he’s athletic. We think he’s stylistically going to fit really well with how we play.”
MacFarland noted that Blackwood is under the weather and will not join the Avs on the road trip. The Avs wrap up the five-game road trip on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.