Colorado Avalanche News

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first four games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning Loan. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

An early afternoon contest in Buffalo on Monday will see Wedgewood start for the fourth time in the early season. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has been thrust into a starting position with Mackenzie Blackwood continuing to recover from a lower-body injury. Wedgewood has a 1.95 GAA and .925 SV% in three games this season (2-0-1) and is coming off his first loss of the campaign, where he allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Colorado enters Monday's contest as -174 road favorites against a Buffalo team that has been outscored 7-1 through two games this season (0-2-0).

Colorado has not released a concrete update on Mackenzie Blackwood's lower-body injury, but is comfortable rolling with Wedgewood between the pipes after a strong performance in their season-opening win over the Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old Wedgewood saved 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Kings and will hope to replicate that performance on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Utah team with some dangerous offensive pieces.

With Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) sidelined to start the 2025-26 season, Colorado will turn to Wedgewood between the pipes for their season opener on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old Wedgewood played well in a supporting role after being acquired by Colorado early last season, posting a solid 1.99 GAA and .917 SV% in 19 appearances (13-4-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -109 road favorites against Los Angeles. Expect Colorado's crease to be exclusively occupied by Wedgewood until Blackwood returns from injury.

Blackwood was on the ice Monday but won’t travel with the team for their one-game trip to Los Angeles. With him unavailable, expect Scott Wedgewood to start and Trent Miner to serve as backup. Blackwood’s status for Thursday’s home opener vs. Utah is also in doubt, though his participation in Monday’s practice is an encouraging sign that the injury isn’t long-term.

Colorado announced Wednesday that starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood will be out week-to-week as he nurses a lower-body injury. The Avalanche are expecting their starter to be ready around the start of the regular season and will lean on Scott Wedgewood in the meantime. If Blackwood is forced to miss any time, it will be a massive loss for the Avalanche after he posted a 22-12-3 record, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

Gagne was a former 6th-round pick (2021) with Tampa Bay but failed to sign an entry-level contract with the Lightning and has now signed a two-year entry-level contract with Colorado. The 23-year-old defenseman will join the Colorado Eagles (AHL) after a successful senior season where he captained the University of New Hampshire (NCAA) in 2024-25 with four goals and 17 points in 35 games played.

After a short two-game showing with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25, Domenick Fensore has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract to remain a Hurricane for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman took a step forward in 2024-25 with Chicago (AHL), putting up nine goals and 32 points alongside his 39 PIMs in 67 total games played. He is expected to start 2025-26 in Chicago but will provide Carolina with some much-needed defensive depth.

Manson still had one year left on his current contract, but will extend his time with the Avalanche for two more years after he signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.95 million AAV ($7.9M total). The 33-year-old bruising defenseman only appeared in 48 games in 2024-25 due to injury, but still had a goal, 15 points and 28 PIMs. He is entering his fifth season with Colorado and is expected to return to his regular defensive role.

The NHL's current iron man (925 consecutive games) has found a new home on Wednesday as Colorado signed Brent Burns to a one-year contract. The 40-year-old veteran is entering his 22nd NHL season with his fourth team. Despite his age, he has managed to stay effective, putting up six goals and 29 points last season alongside a +7 plus/minus across 82 games played.