Mackenzie Blackwood has quickly made his mark as the starting goalie for the Colorado Avalanche, following a five-year contract extension worth $26.25 million. This deal, confirmed by a source close to the situation, secures Blackwood's role with the team through the 2029-30 season, reflecting the Avalanche's confidence in his abilities after acquiring him from San Jose in December.
Since joining the Avalanche, Blackwood has demonstrated impressive performance, posting a record of 3-1, a goals-against average of 2.03, and a save percentage of .931. General Manager Chris MacFarland praised Blackwood for his growth as a player, emphasizing his athleticism and potential as a young goaltender.
In his debut with Colorado, Blackwood recorded 37 saves in a 5-2 victory against Nashville, making him only the fourth goalie in NHL history to achieve such a feat in his first game with a franchise. His consistency has been notable, as he has not allowed more than two goals in any of his first four games with the Avalanche, improving his overall season record to 9-10-3.
Blackwood, a former second-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in 2015, has a career record of 84-92-25 with 11 shutouts across 219 games. The Avalanche have also revamped their goaltending lineup by acquiring Scott Wedgewood, providing much-needed stability after a shaky start to the season.
With a recent surge in performance, the Avalanche have climbed to sixth in the Western Conference standings, allowing an average of just 2.45 goals per game in December, a significant improvement from their earlier struggles.
