For the second time in as many seasons, Mackenzie Blackwood is going to show up after Scott Wedgewood and remove his chances of becoming the No. 1 goaltender for the Avalanche.
It’s OK. Wedgewood understands. It’s part of the job … and part of why he’s added extra value in his role.
With Blackwood still rehabbing from an offseason injury, Wedgewood is expected to start Colorado’s season opener Tuesday night in Los Angeles, and likely every game until his goaltending partner is ready.
“We actually Facetimed a few times this summer. It’s kind of funny to see his face pop up when he called me and we were joking around,” Wedgewood said. “I checked in on him and the rehab and things like that. So I had a little bit of knowledge just coming into it.
“It’s almost exciting, a little bit. Obviously unfortunate for our team and him, but it’ll be an exciting start to approach it in my mind — to get a few extra ones under my belt that I might not have gotten throughout the year.”
When the Avalanche traded for Wedgewood on Dec. 1, 2024, the club’s goaltending situation was a mess. Both Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen were off to terrible starts, and the Avs had the worst save percentage in the NHL.
Wedgewood was an instant hit, both on and off the ice. He immediately helped stabilize the situation, and it allowed his mind to drift a little … toward grabbing the No. 1 role and running with it.
Then, eight days later, the Avs traded Georgiev for Blackwood, his former teammate in the New Jersey organization.
“I’ve joked with a few guys and with (Blackwood), I got in the mindset when I got here, like, ‘I can win a starting job and go,’” Wedgwood said. “Out of the gate, I had a good start and maybe won the guys over a little bit. … And I don’t even know if I got two weeks before (Blackwood) came in.
“It was great for the team, great for the room and the situation for him, and I was perfect. But in the back of my head, there was a little of, ‘Can I pause time here and just play 35 (games) or whatever the number was going to be?’”
The way Wedgwood played, spelling Blackwood when needed, made that Dec. 1 trade with Nashville a great one for the Avs. It’s also why no one is worried about Blackwood missing a few games to start this season.
Coaches and teammates always have platitudes for players’ character, but the rave reviews of Wedgewood are genuine.
“I think that is part of his DNA,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “His reputation preceded himself coming in here that he’s a great team guy. He’s a really outgoing guy, a connector of people. … A really good person, great teammate, and then his play did the talking too when he came here last year.”
Colorado’s team save percentage was at .856 the day of the Wedgewood trade. From the day Blackwood arrived until the end of the season, it was .906 — good for sixth in the NHL. Wedgewood went 13-4-1 in 19 games (18 starts) for the Avs.
After all of the changes and trades last year, the Avs believe just having these two goalies for the entire season can help the club’s ability to compete for a Central Division title. And Wedgewood is a guy the other Avalanche players will rally behind until Blackwood is ready.
“A fun guy to be around. We love having him in our room and the impact he’s had,” Avs defenseman Devon Toews said. “When you feel like you’ve got two starting goalies, you can throw anybody out there every night, and it gives confidence to the group. It puts us in a position where we can just go play and try to put our best foot forward.”
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