The Colorado Avalanche navigated a demanding 2025‑26 campaign by relying on a three‑goalie rotation that combined for 95 appearances. Scott Wedgewood led the group with 53 starts, while Mackenzie Blackwood logged 39 and rookie Trent Miner saw limited action in three games.
Wedgewood's early‑season stability helped the team build momentum, but his performance faltered when the playoffs arrived, exposing a need for consistency under pressure.
Blackwood entered the season hampered by injuries that forced him to miss training camp, yet he managed to contribute a solid stretch before the postseason, underscoring his resilience.
Sakic's endorsement and the Jennings Trophy
General manager Joe Sakic praised both Blackwood and Wedgewood for their combined efforts that earned the franchise the Jennings Trophy, a testament to their ability to limit opponents' scoring chances.
Sakic highlighted the organization's growing depth, noting the addition of prospect Ilya Nabokov, a 2024 second‑round pick who arrived from Russia, as a further boost to the goaltending pool.
Nabokov is slated to share AHL duties with Miner, giving the club flexibility in managing workloads while keeping an eye on his potential NHL debut.
Future outlook
With all five netminders — Blackwood, Wedgewood, Nabokov, Miner, and the emerging talents Isak Posch and Ilya Novosyolov — under contract for the 2026‑27 season, the Avalanche appear unlikely to make major moves between the pipes. The front office believes the current group offers a balanced mix of experience and upside as the team looks to build on its recent playoff experience.