The Colorado Avalanche signed recent acquisition Mackenzie Blackwood to a new five-year extension today. It will have a $5.25 million AAV.
Mackenzie Blackwood Signs
The Avalanche had a major flaw in their game this season, and it was in net. The duo the team started with – Alexandr Georgiev and Justus Annunen – played well below expectations. By December 9th both had been moved to San Jose and Nashville respectively.
Of their replacements, Scott Wedgewood is signed for another season and Blackwood was on the final year of his $2.35 million deal. Blackwood has played just four games with the Avalanche, but clearly they like what they’ve seen. His new contract stabilizes a position that has been a weakness for two seasons.
But it’s not entirely one-sided. Blackwood broke into the NHL hot, going 32-24-8 in his first two seasons with the New Jersey Devils. He had a very robust .916 save percentage and 2.72 goals against with the very mediocre Devils. He couldn’t maintain that level, and was eventually traded to the Sharks for a 6th-round pick in 2023.
Blackwood re-signed with San Jose and backstopped what was widely acknowledged as one of the worst teams in recent memory. But everyone went in knowing the score, and his .899 save percentage was a minor victory. This year, he was a major part of the Sharks getting back to respectable, going 6-9-3 before his move to Colorado.
The Future
The Avalanche are still taking some risk, here, but not a whole lot. Five seasons at $5.25 million per is a substantial amount if he doesn’t live up to expectations. That isn’t top-tier starter money, but it is far too much for a backup. But it’s not a price that will prevent a lower-tier team from taking a chance on him if they feel the need.
As for Blackwood himself, he’s now under the gun to be the starter of a championship-caliber team. Blackwood has been very good for Colorado in his brief tenure. He’s 3-1-0 with a 2.03 goals against with a .931 save percentage and works well in their system. This is a win-win signing.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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