Ex-New Jersey Devils Goaltender on NHL Trade Market?

The New Jersey Devils have finally figured out their goaltending issues. Fortunately, for the Devils, they are not one of the early teams in the NHL who are struggling with their crease presence. However, one ex-Devils goaltenders name has resurfaced in potential NHL trade discussions.

The Devils traded former goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood two summers ago to the San Jose Sharks, who extended him on the first day of free agency. The ex-Devils goaltender signed a two-year contract worth $4.7 million.

Fast-forward to today, and Blackwood is working on an expiring contract. Last season, Blackwood had a rebound year on a Sharks team that really struggled to keep the puck out of the net. In 44 games, Blackwood accrued a 3.45 GAA and .899 SV%. He also only captured 10 wins.

However, Blackwood was tending the net for a bottom of the barrel San Jose club. In his 44 game sample, Blackwood showed longevity unlike his time in New Jersey, where he struggled to stay healthy while playing for the Devils.

A better indication of Blackwoods abilities last season are in his goals saved above expected (GSAx). The ex-Devils netminder was better than any previous Devils goaltender last season, with a positive 2.4 GSAx.

Blackwood has yet to capture a win with the Sharks in the 2024-25 season, yet has put together a strong .910 SV% thus far.

Following a clean bill of health last season, and an impressive performance in net on a struggling Sharks team, Blackwood could be on the move yet again as his name has popped up in potential NHL trade discussions.

“Now Colorado, we mentioned them a few minutes ago. I had some people tell me that they think there’s going to be teams looking at Blackwood from San Jose, Mackenzie Blackwood,” Elliotte Friedman stated on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast.

“Colorado, they have [Alexander] Georgiev, they have Justus Annunen, they picked up Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers from Winnipeg. I think they’ve looked into Blackwood before. He’s been on their radar. “There’s no way the Avalanche aren’t looking at this and saying, what can we do? How do we fix this, and do we have to go elsewhere? It doesn’t mean they will, but they have to be looking at it.”

And I wouldn’t be surprised if Blackwood is the kind of guy they’re at least saying, okay, if we do decide to go this route, could he solve our problem? And I find it impossible to believe they’re not at least looking at it, whether or not they actually do it.”

The Sharks are certainly still in a rebuild, and trading Blackwood while his value is high makes sense while on an expiring contract. After all, the sharks did just acquire Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators and have fellow ex-Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek as part of their current tandem.

There are a number of teams who have seen early struggles in net, but none more than the Colorado Avalanche. In each of Alexander Georgiev’s last four starts, the 28-year-old has allowed three or more goals in each game, allowing five twice and pulled from the crease in each of his first two starts of the season.

Georgiev currently owns a 5.79 GAS and .802 SV%. Further, it appears the Avalanche are hesitant to give Justus Annunen a bigger workload.

Thus, the ex-Devils goaltender has found himself in the middle of potential NHL trade discussions. It’s a position most Devils fans probably didn’t think they’d find Blackwood in, as he really struggled to stay healthy in his final few seasons in New Jersey. However, Blackwood did always show flashes of brilliance when he wasn’t battling an ailment.

The Avalanche haven’t been able to outscore their goaltending issues, and as a result are off to an 0-3-0 start to their season. However, Colorado is expected to get back on track at some point and compete for the playoffs. Evidently, Blackwood Could be their solution in goal and the ex-Devil could find himself back on a playoff roster.

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