Mackenzie Blackwood has quickly made a name for himself as the starting goalie for the Colorado Avalanche after signing a lucrative five-year contract extension worth $26.25 million. This deal will keep him with the team through the 2029-30 season and reflects the Avalanche's confidence in his abilities, especially following his acquisition from the San Jose Sharks on December 9. Since joining Colorado, Blackwood has posted a commendable 3-1 record, showcasing a 2.03 goals-against average and an impressive .931 save percentage.

General manager Chris MacFarland expressed optimism about Blackwood's potential, noting his growth as a player and his adaptability to the new environment. In his Avalanche debut, Blackwood excelled with 37 saves in a 5-2 victory against the Nashville Predators, marking him as only the fourth goalie in NHL history to achieve such a feat in his first game with a franchise. Throughout his initial four starts with Colorado, he has consistently limited opponents to two goals or fewer, bringing his overall record for the season to 9-10-3.

Blackwood's career trajectory includes time with the New Jersey Devils, who drafted him in 2015, before his recent moves to San Jose and now Colorado. His overall statistics reflect a challenging yet promising career, with 84 wins against 92 losses, along with 11 shutouts over 219 games played. The Avalanche have also revamped their goaltending lineup by acquiring Scott Wedgewood from Nashville, aiming to enhance their defensive stability after a shaky start to the season. Currently, the Avalanche sit at 21-15, showing marked improvement in December with a record of 8-3 and a reduced goals-against average of 2.45.