Goalie Start
Blackwood will start against the Oilers on Thursday.
Colorado Avalanche News
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start Saturday in Buffalo.
Blackwood allowed two goals on nine shots in the Devils shootout loss to the Jets last night. Blackwood entered the game with a 4-2 lead after Cory Schneider got hurt and he continued to blow the Devils four-goal lead. Blackwood was solid last season, posting a .918 SV% 21 starts, so there’s no reason to panic after half of a game. He was 4-7-0 with a 3.02 GAA and .914 SV% on the road last year, so you have a right to be nervous tonight.
The Avalanche have signed Valeri Nichushkin to a one-year contract.
The former No.10 overall pick (2013) struggled mightily in 2019 after returning from a two-year stint in the KHL. Nichushkin failed to record a goal while compiling just 10 assists in 57 games with the Stars and has just 74 points (23G / 51A) in 223 career NHL games with Dallas. This is a low-risk signing for the Avalanche and Nichushkin has a chance to produce in a quality bottom-6 that improved this summer.
The Avalanche have signed Samuel Girard to a seven-year deal worth $35.0M ($5.0M AAV).
Girard posted a career-high with 27 points (4G / 23A) in 82 games last season. Girard will be the man in Colorado to start 2020 following the trade of Tyson Barrie. However, Cale Makar could quickly elevate up the depth chart but Girard will likely play on the top-pair and second power-play to open the season.
The Avalanche signed Vladislav Kamenev to a one-year extension worth $750K.
Kamenev only appeared in 25 combined games last year after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-December. Kamenev had just two goals and three assists (five points) in 23 games with the Avalanche and will likely start 2020 on their fourth line.
The Canadiens have re-signed Charles Hudon to a one-year extension worth $800K.
Hudon spent the entire 2019 season with the Canadiens but appeared in just 32 games and picked up just five points (3G / 2A). It was a disappointing year for Hudon, who had 30 points in 2018. With Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki pushing for the NHL, Hudon will likely be an extra forward to start 2020.
The Avalanche have signed T.J. Tynan to a one-year, two-way contract.
The Canadiens have signed Artturi Lehkonen to a two-year contract worth $4.8 million ($2.4M AAV).
The Lightning have signed Scott Wedgewood to a one-year, two way contract.
The Sabres have acquired Jimmy Vesey from the Rangers for a 2021 third-round pick.
The Stars have placed Valeri Nichushkin on waivers for the purpose of a buyout.
Nichushkin has been a huge disappointment for the Stars since selecting him No.10 overall in 2013. Nichushkin failed to live up to expectations early in his career before going to the KHL for two years (2017 and 2018). He returned to the NHL last year but did not score a goal while collecting just 10 assists in 57 games. Nichushkin has one-year left on his deal that carries a $2.95M cap-hit (per PuckPedia).
The Avalanche have acquired Jacob MacDonald from the Panthers for Dominic Toninato.
MacDonald had one goal in two games with the Panthers last year but spend most of the season in Springfield (AHL). The 26-year-old led all Thunderbirds’ defensemen in goals (14) and points (43) in 72 games. MacDonald is likely headed to the AHL to start 2020 as well.
The Stars have signed Joel Kiviranta to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Kiviranta, 23, was an undrafted free agent from Finland, who had 16 goals and 15 assists (31 points) in 48 games with Sport Vaasa of the Finnish Elite League.
The Avalanche signed Pavel Francouz to a one-year contract.
Francouz just finished his first full professional season in North America, going 27-20-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .918 SV% in 49 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). The 28-year-old Czech netminder also appeared in two games with the Avalanche, stopping 33 of the 35 shots (.943 SV%) he faced in 61 minutes of play. Francouz is expected to start the 2019-20 season with the Eagles.
The Islanders signed Brock Nelson to a six-year contract extension worth $36.0 million ($6.0M AAV).
Nelson is coming off of a career-year, having scored 25 goals and 28 assists (53 points) in 82 games. Nelson has been extremely durable, missing just two games over the last five seasons and figures to continue as the Islanders’ No.2 centre heading into the 2019-20 campaign.
Wagner will be a healthy scratch for Game 3.
Wagner played in the first two games of the series, registering four shots while averaging 13:00 TOI/gm. Wagner will be replaced by Karson Kuhlman in Game 3.
Girard (upper-body) will return to the Avalanche lineup for Game 1.
Girard suffered an upper-body injury in Game 2 in Calgary and missed the next three games. With Girard returning to the lineup, the Avalanche are expected to go with 11 forwards and seven defenseman but it remains unclear whether Girard or Cale Makar will quarterback the second power-play unit—they alternated in Thursday’s practice.
Wagner will be back in the Bruins lineup for Game 1.
Wagner has been a healthy scratch since Game 5 vs. Toronto but will replace Karson Kuhlman in Game 1 vs. Columbus. Wagner, who is an effective fourth liner, had no points and just five shots in five games against the Maple Leafs.
Girard (undisclosed) will not play in Game 3.
Girard is dealing with an injury, missed the morning skate and will not play in Game 3 vs. the Flames. Luckily for the Avalanche, they signed top prospect Cale Makar on Sunday and he will replace Girard in the lineup and on the second power-play unit.
Line Change
Makar will make his NHL debut in Game 3.
Makar signed his entry-level contract on Sunday and will immediately draw into the Avalanche lineup in Game 3. Makar won the Hobey Baker Award and will be paired with Patrik Nemeth and quarterback the second power-play unit.
