Mackenzie Blackwood has officially secured his position as the starting goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche after signing a five-year contract extension worth $26.25 million. This new deal, confirmed by a source familiar with the contract, will keep Blackwood with the team through the 2029-30 season, reinforcing the Avalanche's confidence in his abilities following his acquisition from San Jose.

Since joining the Avalanche, Blackwood has demonstrated his skills by achieving a record of 3-1, with impressive stats including a 2.03 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. General Manager Chris MacFarland expressed optimism about Blackwood's potential, highlighting his growth as a player and his strong performance in his initial games with the team. Notably, Blackwood made a remarkable debut, stopping 37 shots in a victory over Nashville, marking a significant milestone as one of only four goalies in NHL history to achieve such a feat in their first game with a franchise.

Blackwood, who is in his second year of a two-year contract, previously played with the New Jersey Devils and has an overall record of 84-92-25 with 11 shutouts in 219 career games. The Avalanche have also revamped their goaltending lineup by trading for Scott Wedgewood, further enhancing their defensive capabilities after struggling earlier in the season. As of December, the Avalanche have improved significantly, moving from ninth to sixth in the Western Conference standings.