Avalanche Linked To Sharks Goaltender This Season

Nothing the Colorado Avalanche seem to do has worked this season in order to get goaltending on the right track. If it weren't for Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, the Avalanche would be in huge trouble this season. Each one of the three goalies that have been given a shot hasn't performed up to standards.

Alexandar Georgiev came into the season as the starter and has a 4-5-0 record with a 3.56 GAA and .863 SV%. Only two of his 10 starts have been quality starts, which is very bad. Behind him is Justus Annunen who is coming off a stellar first partial season in the NHL as the backup for a lot of the season. He hasn't followed that up with a good showing this season, sporting a 6-3-0 record with a 2.81 GAA and .886 SV%. It is much better than Georgiev, but still not where the Avalanche need one of their goalies to be.

It got to a point where Colorado claimed Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers to see if he could change the path in net. Given only one game, Kahkonen didn't play well, recording a 4.12 GAA and .800 SV% in his one start before going back on waivers and being claimed.

What are the Avalanche to do if they want to not only climb the standings and secure a playoff spot, but compete in the playoffs? Trade for a goalie that is used to having to make the big saves when the team isn't exactly helping out a ton in their own end.

This goalie could come from the San Jose Sharks according to David Pagnotta. Mackenzie Blackwood has a 3.07 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 starts on one of the worst teams in the league. He even sported similar numbers last season despite a .899 SV% on the worst team in the league. 59% of his starts have been quality starts and that would more than give the Avalanche, an offensive powerhouse, a great chance to win every night.

Colorado would be able to afford Blackwood ahead of the deadline as his cap hit is just $2.35 million, but he won't necessarily be cheap to come by and there will be other teams in the mix. The Avalanche are trying to work through their issues in net, but the team will likely end up making a trade.