SALT LAKE CITY — The Avalanche believe they’ve found their guy in net, and they weren’t about to let him test free agency.
The Avalanche on Friday announced they signed goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to a 5-year contract extension that will keep him in Colorado until 2030. As his current contract doesn’t expire until the end of this season, his new deal will kick in starting next year.
Mackenzie Blackwood puts on a show for Avalanche fans in Ball Arena debut
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Blackwood’s cap hit each season will come to $5.25 million, meaning the total contract comes out to $26.25 million. Colorado historically has not been an organization that commits long-term to goaltenders, so them handing out this contract is a strong indicator of how they feel about the 28-year-old netminder.
“When we acquired Mackenzie a few weeks ago, we wanted to let him get to Denver, get acclimated to his new team, new city and then in due time we’d reach out to him and his representatives,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said. “We are thrilled to get this deal done now and have Mackenzie under contract for the next six years. As I said when we acquired him, we feel like Mackenzie has just gotten better and better every year and he has come in and done a great job with us in his first few starts.
“He’s a big body, athletic goaltender who is still young and still growing as a goaltender. Stylistically, he has fit really well with how we play and has been a perfect fit in our dressing room as well.”
In four starts with the Avalanche, Blackwood has recorded a 3-1 record with a .931 save percentage. Even though he’s only been around for a couple of weeks, the decision to re-sign was pretty easy.
“Take a look around the room,” he said. “There’s a lot of players that are really good, good culture, good organization and they welcomed me very quickly. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m happy to play here.”
Blackwood mentioned that getting some term on this deal was “huge” for him, as he had previously never signed a contract longer than 3 years. His new coach is just happy both sides were able to get a deal done.
“I think it’s great,” Jared Bednar said a few hours after the deal became official. “It’s nice to know that he’s going to be around and that our future in net is locked in with him. He’s played well since he’s been here and helped and help turn things around for us. Well deserved and really excited for him.”
With Blackwood signed, Colorado has its situation in net figured out through next season. Scott Wedgewood, whom they acquired at the end of November, is signed through the 2024-25 season. There are unconfirmed reports out of Russia that Colorado’s top goaltending prospect Ilya Nabokov is planning to come to North America next season and sign an NHL contract with the Avalanche.
The Denver Gazette reached out to Nabokov’s representation and were told that the 21-year-old hasn’t made any decisions regarding his future just yet. If Nabokov signs, the Blackwood contract would allow Nabokov to develop in the American Hockey League and get accustomed to the smaller ice in North America.
Blackwood and the Avalanche meet the Utah Hockey Club at 7:30 p.m. Friday (ESPN2).