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New goalie pads weren’t the only present Mackenzie Blackwood got for Christmas. His five-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche was a welcome gift for the 28-year-old goaltender who has only played four games in burgundy and blue.
“I’m pretty excited about that when I found out they were offering me a contract around Christmastime. We hashed it out pretty quickly, and I’m very excited to be here,” Blackwood said after morning skate on Friday.
The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was traded to the Avs on Dec. 9 by the San Jose Sharks with forward Givani Smith and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick for Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko and a 2026 second-round draft pick.
He was slated to become an unrestricted free agent after this season with the completion of his two-year deal at $2.35 million. His new deal is worth $26.25 million with a cap hit of $5.25 million per season. He is not only relieved to have a long-term deal but ready to settle into his new home.
“It’s a good culture. It’s a good organization. Welcomed me very quickly, and it’s a first-class organization. So I just thought it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m happy to play here, and everything just worked out well,” Blackwood said.
Colorado’s locker room has changed quite a bit in the last month with the overhaul of goaltending — the team traded Justus Annunen to the Nashville Predators for Scott Wedgewood just a week and a half before it acquired Blackwood. Both new netminders have made an impression on and off the ice.
“It’s nice to know that he’s going to be around and that our future and that’s locked in with him and now Wedgewood for next year and Blackwood beyond that. Our guys are excited. He’s excited to be here. He’s played well since he’s been here. Helped sort of turn things around for us. So well deserved, and real excited for him.
“His experience and he’s got a great personality, [he’s a] good voice in the room. When it comes to any of the defending details, penalty kill, all that — he’ll take on a bigger leadership role, for sure,” head coach Jared Bednar said.
Blackwood said he would like to add to that leadership group now that he’s signed long-term. And he has already made an impression on his teammates in the short time he’s been with the Avs.
“It’s always nice having a good goalie behind you, anytime you make a mistake, he’s gonna bail you out a decent amount of time. And that’s obviously a nice cushion to have,” defenseman Sam Malinski said. “He’s a guy with very high character. He’s a fun guy to have around, and it’s nice to see that he’s only been here for a couple weeks, and he already has faith to sign here for five years, and he knows that this is where he wants to play. So, yeah, that’s pretty cool.”
Blackwood has a new set of white goalie pads and said his mask shipped on Thursday. His nickname is “Blacky,” which is on his current mask he brought from the Sharks, so that may be on his new Avalanche one as well. As for what Avs Faithful should chant when he shines at Ball Arena, that is to be determined.
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