Confirmed Trade: [COL/SJS] Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, 2027 5th for Alexandar Georgiev (14% ret.), Nikolai Kovalenko, 2026 2nd, cond. 2025 4th

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Not too happy we gave up Kovalenko, but it seems like Bednar didn't like him too much

 

[Jumptheshark]

Not too happy we gave up Kovalenko, but it seems like Bednar didn't like him too much

Avs were desperate. They have had too many games where they lost because of goaltending

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

So what was the point of trading Annunen for Wedgewood? Did they decide that Annunen didn't have an NHL future?

Not reliable enough for a backup. Wedgie a bit higher level. Also leadership or better locker room presence potentially. (Not that Annunen was problem but apparently he is a bit weird dude or can be.)

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Avs were desperate. They have had too many games where they lost because of goaltending

I hope the Sharks give him some ice time. There's some untapped potential there.

 

[shadow1]

The 8-2 loss to Tampa broke the camel's back for Colorado. That was exactly 14 days ago and now they have two new goalies.

Blackwood is trending up and should be a good fit with the Avalanche. So far Wedgewood has a .951 SV% across three games.

I don't love giving up Kovalenko. Colorado has had a minor influx of young talent this year between him, Ivan, and Malinski. He might've been a healthy scratch when the team got healthier, though, and the Avalanche need to push in all their chips. If their Cup window isn't already closed, it will be soon.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

I know Georgiyev sucks but Blackwood isn't that much of an upgrade on him. Trading a 2nd and Kovalenko to get a not great platoon goalie doesn't seem worth it.

High risk for sure.

 

[MakoSlade]

Didn't covid coincide with a nasty foot injury for Blackwood?

I don't recall a foot injury but it was strange times for sure. He did have a few injuries that added to his downfall but I don't recall specifics. I do remember issues with the vaccine, which he was against.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Last time the Avs traded a Kovalenko, the goalie coming back in return was an all-time great. That's got to bode well.

Hah, funny find.

When he's on, Blackwood is great. Like the move for the Avs.

We know.

Frustrating as hell

 

[Dicdonya]

Why are the 5th round picks in there? Did the Sharks’ analyst really go “the value is almost there, but we really need another 5th this year instead of 2027”

Its not that weird honestly if you consider that because we are rebuilding right now, the more chances we have to take swings on kids in the upcoming couple drafts, means that any of them that hit now can be a long term fixture on the team as it moves forward.

It also means that we know a bit sooner what prospects we have coming out of the rebuild, so can plug holes better for the spots we do not have prospects that make the jump.

 

[Hasbro]

The Avalanche trading a Kovalenko for a goalie?

First time for everything.

 

[Shane Diesel]

Grubauer was so terrible for his time in Colorado that Seattle gave him.. basically the same contract Washington gave Keumper. How do you explain that one?

I don't know, I'm not Ron Francis. Go ask him.

Players getting ridiculous contracts in free agency is evidence of nothing but GM incompetence and it literally happens every off-season.

Meanwhile Georgiev had a great season his first year in Colorado (playing behind the same team that made Kuemper look great).. then as the Avs got older and lost some pieces, suddenly he showed his true colors.

How would you know it's because of the team? You reject GSAx whole cloth so how have you determined this?

Funny how that works. But sure, keep yapping about the fancy stats all you want

Goaltender performance has the highest variation statistically speaking of all hockey positions from season-to-season. As a goalie expert shouldn't you be aware of this fact?

But since the statistics are all wrong, what is your background in goaltender coaching/playing? You must have a wealth of experience with the position since you can intuit goaltender analysis solely by your own judgement and can ignore statistics without counter-evidence.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Blackwood/Wedgewood is a new pair for the team.

Blackwood/Wedgewood feels safe.

This safe?

New Jersey Devils 2020-21 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2020-21 New Jersey Devils playing in the NHL.

www.hockeydb.com

 

[SoundAndFury]

But I will ask the important question: how many "wood wall" jokes have been made yet regarding the Avs goaltending?

 

[JoeSakic13]

I hope the Sharks give him some ice time. There's some untapped potential there.

Yeah, and Kovi has some potential too!

 

[Shane Diesel]

This safe?

New Jersey Devils 2020-21 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2020-21 New Jersey Devils playing in the NHL.

www.hockeydb.com

A Devils team that finished with 63 points in 2021 is an apt comparison?

 

[A1LeafNation]

A Devils team that finished with 63 points in 2021 is an apt comparison?

izza joke

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

This safe?

New Jersey Devils 2020-21 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2020-21 New Jersey Devils playing in the NHL.

www.hockeydb.com

A 900 save percentage looks stellar compared to what Georgie and Justus were providing

 

[kcunac]

Props to the Avs for taking action early.

 

[tucker3434]

Georgiev was so frustrating. Talent was there. Consistency wasn’t. it wouldn’t surprise me if he bounced back in SJ, at least briefly. We couldn’t wait around forever.

Hoping Blackwood can be average. Not being dead last anymore sure would help out a lot.

 

[Andre Palot]

Blackwood/Wedgewood

I've seen that movie before. Have fun with that Avs.

 

[TheBeard]

Georgiev was so frustrating. Talent was there. Consistency wasn’t. it wouldn’t surprise me if he bounced back in SJ, at least briefly. We couldn’t wait around forever.

Hoping Blackwood can be average. Not being dead last anymore sure would help out a lot.

It's really a win-win for the Sharks pertaining to him. Without the pressure of having to backstop a contender, it may be a good opportunity for him to just play, and if he keeps being the awful netminder he's been then it only helps us cement last again.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Colorado Avalanche now a member of The Triple Wood Club

 

[kanucks25]

Blackwood/Wedgewood

I've seen that movie before. Have fun with that Avs.

I always have fun when I watch those kinds of movies.

 

[SimpleJack]

A whole lotta wood

 

[Andre Palot]

A whole lotta wood

Miles and miles of wood