Avalanche Mailbag: Blackwood Injury Concerns & Help on Defense

If Blackwood’s injury lingers, will they have Miner back up Wedgewood, or would they try and go the UFA route and sign Ilya Samsonov or Carter Hart?

Aarif’s Response

I haven’t heard any rumors like that. Blackwood has been making progress and you can see it in the way he’s been moving at practice. The progress has been slow but it’s there. So regarding him dealing with something concerning that could affect him for a long time? I don’t believe that to be true at all.

Jared Bednar also said he’s not expecting the goalie to be ready for opening night, which opens the door for Scott Wedgewood to get the first game. Perhaps even the second and third. If Blackwood isn’t ready by then, I’d like to see the Avs bring in some help and let Trent Miner stick with the Eagles.

It won’t (and shouldn’t) be Carter Hart. I doubt Ilya Samsonov would sign for what the Avs are willing to offer. But the waiver wire is going to be interesting to watch. I can see at least one or two solid-ish backup goalies being available. For example, Matt Murray is already on waivers.

But if not a veteran, how about an inexperienced guy like Clay Stevenson? He’s 28 years old and stuck behind Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson in Washington. He has two years remaining on his contract making league minimum and needs an opportunity to see if he’s cut out for the NHL.

The second year of his contract makes it tough.

Anyway, it’s a premature conversation to have because we don’t know yet if they’ll even need another guy. We’ll see how Blackwood progresses over the next two weeks.