![[original_title]](https://rawnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/97416941892b303123de047b73a7277f-1024x683.jpeg)
After shedding the primary 4 video games of the season through which the Avalanche allowed 25 objectives in opposition to, leading to a 0-4 begin, the Avs have rebounded with two straight wins.
Regardless of these two wins, Avs goaltender Alexandar Georgiev allowed 3 objectives on simply 19 photographs in opposition to, ending the sport with a .825 save proportion. Within the 4-1 victory in opposition to the winless San Jose Sharks this previous Sunday, backup Justus Annunen bought the beginning and turned out a stellar efficiency stopping 25 of 26 photographs in opposition to.
Nevertheless, in lieu of Georgievs’ win in opposition to Anaheim and Annunens’ spectacular begin in opposition to San Jose, there may be some hypothesis Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland is working the telephones to attempt to enhance the goaltending for his membership.
Related: Goaltending Could Pose A Problem For The Avalanche This Season
Two groups that he might be dialing up are Western Convention counterparts within the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Geese.
On Sportsnets’ Elliotte Friedmans’ newest 32 Ideas podcast, Friedman spoke about the potential of the Avalanche having curiosity in Sharks’ goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.
Blackwood, 27, arrived in San Jose in June of 2023 after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils for a sixth spherical choose. The Sharks have been hoping the often-injured Blackwood might regain the promise he confirmed with New Jersey after coming onto the scene with a robust 2019-2020 season, posting a powerful .915 save proportion in his first actual season within the NHL.
The Sharks gave Blackwood alternative to do exactly that; with Blackwood beginning 44 video games for the Sharks in 23-24. Whereas he did not get a lot assist, Blackwood completed the season with a sub .900 save proportion of .899 and solely successful 10 video games.
With the Sharks now having Yaroslav Askarov of their system, who has but to permit a aim in opposition to in two video games taking part in within the AHL, coupled with Vitek Vanecek because the Sharks starter, Blackwood might grow to be accessible and would not value a lot for the Avalanche to accumulate.
The opposite potential possibility and dearer possibility for the Avalanche is Anaheim Geese goaltender John Gibson.
On Monday whereas on TSN radio in Montreal, The Fourth Intervals’ Dave Pagnotta speculated on Gibson being an possibility for Avs GM Chris MacFarland.
“Perhaps Colorado comes into play as a result of the Geese have flexibility and may retain on a wage,” Pagnotta stated.
Pagnotta went on to talk about the hypothesis over the previous couple of years about Gibson transferring on from Anaheim.
“Yeah, I imply, Gibson’s itching like he’s been itching for the final couple of years. He didn’t need issues form of getting on the market,” Pagnotta stated. “I feel it was three years in the past when issues actually began to make headlines when it comes to him telling the Geese that he’s prepared to discover different alternatives and a change of surroundings that is sensible. He desires to present it a go, however to be on a possible cup contender.
Gibson, 31, has not performed a sport this season for Anaheim after present process emergency appendectomy surgical procedure on September twenty sixth, with the approximate restoration being 3-6 weeks.
In contrast to Blackwood, the acquisition of Gibson might be an actual needle mover for the Avalanche.
Whereas his numbers have been down over the past 5 years with the Geese having gone by a serious rebuild, the Pittsburgh, PA native was amongst the highest goaltenders within the NHL from 2015-2019.
The hope could be taking part in on a greater staff in Colorado, Gibson would as soon as once more have the ability to regain that kind taking part in behind a contender. The wrinkle in buying Gibson is his cap hit. Gibson carries a $6.4M AAV for the following three seasons, the Avalanche at the moment have $6.055M of cap house accessible with captain Gabriel Landeskog nonetheless on LTIR, but when/when he returns they must clear house to activate him with John Gibson on the roster.
Within the meantime, the Avalanche have another choice in home to look to in aim.
After claiming Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets greater than week in the past, the 28-year-old Finnish goaltender lastly arrived in Colorado.
“Clearly took some time to get all of the work, work permits and visa performed and, yeah, irritating for certain,” Kahkonen stated after elective observe on Saturday. “Clearly, it’s simply watching the video games and never having the ability to be right here with the blokes and attending to know them, however actually, actually excited to be right here now and to get lastly going.”
Kahkonen, who performed a complete of 37 video games within the 23-24 season between the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, might be vying for enjoying time with Georgiev and Annunen because the Avalanche proceed to discover extra long-term options to the groups drawback in aim.
