Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche are off to their worst start since 1998-99 after losing their first four games. They entered this week with a record of 2-4-0 following wins over the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.
Several factors contributed to this situation, including the absence of key players, such as Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin and Devon Toews, to injuries and right winger Valeri Nichushkin to suspension.
Goaltending, however, is the biggest issue. Starter Alexandar Georgiev and backup Justus Annunen combined for a league-worst goals-against per game of 4.83.
The Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 11, but visa and work permit paperwork prevented him from joining the club until Saturday. It remains to be seen if he can shore up their sagging goaltending.
That’s prompted some observers to suggest possible trade targets for Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland.
Colorado Hockey Now’s Aarif Dean cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman proposing the Sharks’ Mackenzie Blackwood and the Ducks’ John Gibson as options. Friedman mentioned that the 27-year-old Blackwood had been on the Avs’ radar before.
Gibson frequently surfaced in the rumor mill over the last two seasons as the Ducks have reportedly attempted to peddle him. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list, per PuckPedia. The 31-year-old netminder is currently recovering from an emergency appendectomy.
The Athletic’s Eric Stephens and Jesse Granger noted Gibson’s stats have suffered in recent years but suggested his stock might improve if he plays well following his return to action. They believe the Ducks would have to retain some of his salary and agree to take on Georgiev to make the deal work for the cap-strapped Avalanche.
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Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Blackwood is younger than Gibson, and his $2.35-million cap hit would be more affordable for the Avalanche. He’s also slated to become a UFA next July.
The rebuilding Sharks have Vitek Vanecek backing up Blackwood and promising Yaroslav Askarov on their farm team. They could attempt to cash in on Blackwood while his value is high early in the season, squeezing the Avs to part with a high draft pick or a quality prospect.
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