Avs swap goalies with Sharks, trading Georgiev for Blackwood

The Colorado Avalanche are making a move to address their needs between the pipes.

The Avs traded Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, their 2026 second-round selection and a conditional fifth-round draft selection in 2025 in exchange for goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith and San Jose’s own 2027 fifth-round pick.

The Avs will also retain 14 per cent of Georgiev’s salary.

The move marks the second goaltender acquisition the Avalanche have made in under two weeks after they traded for Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators on Nov. 30. They sent goalie Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick to Nashville in the deal.

Georgiev, 28, has appeared in 18 games this season for the Avalanche, going 8-7-0 with a 3.38 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage.

Blackwood, 28, has been solid in his second year with the Sharks, posting a 6-9-3 record with a .909 save percentage and 3.00 goals-against average in 17 starts for the Pacific Division team.

Over his seven-year NHL career, between the Sharks and New Jersey Devils, the Thunder Bay, Ont. native has posted a .904 save percentage and 3.07 GAA.

Colorado has struggled in the crease this season, allowing 103 goals against, the third-highest mark in the NHL behind only the Pittsburgh Penguins (108) and the Sharks (104).

However, Wedgewood has excelled in his short time with the club, posting a .951 save percentage and 1.44 GAA in three starts, earning a shutout in his most recent appearance in Sunday’s 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.