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

[94 Oil Drops]

Trade makes sense for both sides. Blackwood isn't amazing but I have no idea why Colorado thought getting Georgiev was a good idea to begin with. The guy blows!

 

[PAZ]

Trade makes sense for both sides. Blackwood isn't amazing but I have no idea why Colorado thought getting Georgiev was a good idea to begin with. The guy blows!

Georgiev has the potential to be a top 10-15 goalie, all the tools are there. The issue is consistency.

We'll see how he does in a pressure free environment. I could see him reviving his career in another few years as easily I could see him back in Europe.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

My assessment on Blackwood is that he's great when he faces a lot of shots. He's big and has quick reflexes, good with close high danger chances. Definitely showed similar level of play with the Devils, pretty good numbers for few years and couple of those 30+ save shutouts.

But he also showed some inconsistancy. First you make 30sv, next game you let 5 out of 20. Makes huge reactionary saves up close, but then lets in direct no mask flowter shots. I think he's the kinda goalie that thrives the more action and high danger chances against he gets and for that reason I don't think he'll do as good with the Avs as he's done with the Sharks.

I think this is a great trade for SJ, and I can see them revitalizing Georgiev and flipping him for some extra value at the deadline.

I don't think there's enough starts for Georgiev to salvage any value from him but there's 28 games between now and the trade deadline with five back-to-backs. Vanecek is also an expiring goalie with probably no value to salvage either. It's possible one of these two could play well in that stretch and earn their way onto a playoff contender but I don't think anyone is getting their hopes up. Their job is to eat the starts until they're ready to bring Askarov back full time. They are still largely outmatched against most playoff teams. They've already had games where they pretty much wear out the goalie whether it's Blackwood or Vanecek. It won't be easy to regain trade value here.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

Does anyone understand the exchanges for 5th rounders ? Why

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Does anyone understand the exchanges for 5th rounders ? Why

A little bit of it being conditional on Blackwood's performance as it can upgrade to a 4th, I think. A little bit that Grier's calling card thus far has been being willing to toss in mid-to-late round picks for the sake of completing a deal and likely wants to recoup what was sent out earlier when they traded for Anthony Duclair (who they would rent to Tampa for Jack Thompson and a 3rd)

 

[benfranklin]

Trade makes sense for both sides. Blackwood isn't amazing but I have no idea why Colorado thought getting Georgiev was a good idea to begin with. The guy blows!

21st overall in goals saved above expected and I cant name a single Sharks dman. The safe assumption is hell skyrocket up that list with actual defense in front of him.

Georgiev is 80th for comparison.

 

[blundluntman]

I’ll never 4give 4Giev for the pain he put me through as our starter. Good f*****g riddance

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

21st overall in goals saved above expected and I cant name a single Sharks dman. The safe assumption is hell skyrocket up that list with actual defense in front of him.

Georgiev is 80th for comparison.

The problem that hasn't been solved for the Aves is they play a defenseman for 25 minutes a night who has no interest in actually playing defense.

And that affects goaltending performance.

 

[shello]

Solid move from the Sharks

 

[voyageur]

That Colorado went into tonight as the 3rd worst team in GAA, behind the Sharks, you think they have to feel like it's an upgrade, or at least more stability.. Avs going the Canadian route in net, worked for them last time they won.

I think this move puts Colorado in a better position to close in on the teams they are chasing.

 

[Mattb124]

The problem that hasn't been solved for the Aves is they play a defenseman for 25 minutes a night who has no interest in actually playing defense.

And that affects goaltending performance.

The Sharks have 4-5 defensemen who struggle to play defense, he should be fine.

 

[BlackAdam]

Good on the Sharks.
Georgiev has potential to be an incredible tank commander

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Still amazed that a goalie like Georgiev made the All Star game last year. I can't see Blackwood being any worse. At least Blackwood has shown signs of brilliance at times.

 

[Jacked Daniel]

Both benefit from this trade, Col needs to address their goaltender worries and they have pressure to succeed right now with their stars in their prime. Adding Blackwood is more than likely atleast an upgrade over underachieving/stressed Georgiev. Its also a trusting thing with the boys in the locker room, Georgiev lost the locker room. Bringing a new guy in will definitely boost morale. Sharks dont have to rush anywhere so adding a piece like Kovalenko is a potential big steal of this trade. His upside is very high. Good job both

 

[benfranklin]

The problem that hasn't been solved for the Aves is they play a defenseman for 25 minutes a night who has no interest in actually playing defense.

And that affects goaltending performance.

That might be the biggest fake news Ive seen on this site. Even if you want to rip Makar, which analytics show he is very good defensively still, you're completely ignoring Toews, who is up at the top of the list for balanced dman in the league and even more so ignoring Sam Girard, who as of typing this is the AVS (not Aves) most played defenseman 5v5. Toss in PP time, which obviously is little to no actual defense, then Makar takes the overall TOI.

 

[Hasbro]

That Colorado went into tonight as the 3rd worst team in GAA, behind the Sharks, you think they have to feel like it's an upgrade, or at least more stability.. Avs going the Canadian route in net, worked for them last time they won.

There was a Czech there too.

 

[Miri]

Still amazed that a goalie like Georgiev made the All Star game last year. I can't see Blackwood being any worse. At least Blackwood has shown signs of brilliance at times.

I think he had like 40 wins last year?

Credit shall go where credit is due. Does not matter he is garbage now, or was shite at times back in his Rangers days. He did good last year, period.

This only proves the saying that goalies are voodoo, they can randomly become great for prolonged period, but then somehow lose their mojo, that may or may not come back. Therefore giving them contracts like Bobrovsky got, or Shesterkin is supposed to get, is a massive risk.

 

[Miri]

Someone explain this trade.

Georgiev giving 4 goals on 8 shots. Colorado not feeling thats enough to win the Cup. Colorado would rather Shesterkin, but Rangers did not like Georgiev + Kovalenko + second in return. So Colorado settling for Blackwood.

Capiche?

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Don't talk about your block lists.

 

[BelovedIsles]

This interview from Grier pretty much outlines exactly why he did the trade if you are interested in reading it. TLDR The return was too good for him to pass it up, Blackwood will be a UFA and he played his way out of SJ for what he is looking to be paid+term especially since Askarov is the future.

Also in terms of winning, the Sharks are still a LONG way from actually competing for a Cup and especially in this upcoming draft class, getting a top 4 pick would mean getting another crucial piece for the Sharks future as there is a clear drop off after the top 4. Remember the Sharks would need to be either the worst or second worst team in the league to guarantee a top 4 pick and Grier even states "I think you guys all see how far we really are away from what the championship standard is in this league, and that's what we're trying to get to. It's my job to look at the present but keep an eye on the future as well. We got to keep building it."

Grier explains why Sharks couldn't refuse Avs' trade for Blackwood

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier spoke to San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng about why he traded goalie Mackenzie Blackwood and what he likes about the package he received in return.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

I like the work Grier has done; I really do—rooting for him and SJ.

With that said, you still need veteran talent to support the youth, especially in net. This team has a bottom-5 D; you need a goaltender who can, at the very least, provide stability so the youth doesn’t become disillusioned. Losing too much can mitigate player development.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I think he had like 40 wins last year?

Credit shall go where credit is due. Does not matter he is garbage now, or was shite at times back in his Rangers days. He did good last year, period.

This only proves the saying that goalies are voodoo, they can randomly become great for prolonged period, but then somehow lose their mojo, that may or may not come back. Therefore giving them contracts like Bobrovsky got, or Shesterkin is supposed to get, is a massive risk.

He was absolute garbage last year and got into the ASG based off the Avs winning games in spite of him. MacKinnon winning the Hart was a direct result of the team having to outscore their goalie issues. He gave up 4+ goals so regularly that his nickname became Fourgiev, and that only changed because he started giving up 6+ goals (6eorgiev if you were wondering).

 

[torniojaws]

The Black/Wedge duo

Part Black, Part Wedge. All Wood.

 

[MarchessaultCantRead]

Maybe it’s not right, but I’m so elated to not have Georgiev on the Avs anymore! Like holy f***ing hallelujah!

 

[Avs2022]

The team last night seemed so energized based on the rumors of the toxic environment created by 4-Giev. Looked like the team from 2 years ago.

Good riddance.

 

[Miri]

He was absolute garbage last year and got into the ASG based off the Avs winning games in spite of him. MacKinnon winning the Hart was a direct result of the team having to outscore their goalie issues. He gave up 4+ goals so regularly that his nickname became Fourgiev, and that only changed because he started giving up 6+ goals (6eorgiev if you were wondering).

I checked and you are right, in that regard i mixed up seasons, i was thinking about the 2022-2023 one. his first one with Avs. The time flies so fast, somehow i forgot this was actually his third season with Avs, not second.

Either way, my point stands. He was good for Avs at one point, so downright saying he blows and how Avs did ever consider him to be a starter, is rather unfair. Cause that season he was good enough, regardless what he was before or after.

Regarding 4giev, that became a thing only throughout latter part of last season, basically in 2024.