The Colorado Avalanche get to boast the fact that they have had one of the best goaltenders in NHL history with Patrick Roy between the pipes. That was the best trade acquisition in team history for the obvious reasons.
He finished his illustrious career with 551 wins, 315 losses, and 131 ties. For his entire career, his career win percentage is .599, which is currently good for eighth place all-time. With the Avalanche, he played in 478 games, starting 471, with a record of 262-140-65.
When it comes to the current Avalanche goaltending duo, Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have each had their fair share of starts since they both arrived in trades during the 2024-25 season. Blackwood has 72 starts while Wedgewood has 61. The latter goaltender played extensively at the start of last season due to Blackwood’s offseason injury and surgery.
At this time, Blackwood ranks 15th in starts for an Avalanche goaltender while Wedgewood ranks 18th. I’d like to make it clear that it doesn’t matter who starts in goal for the team. It will be a game-by-game basis, as there will be a time or two where either one of the goalies needs a break. They will both still contribute to victories.
As for wins, Blackwood is 12th with 45 and Wedgewood is right behind him with 44. The duo led the league in save percentage last season, and both earning the Jennings trophy for allowing the fewest goals as a collective team (203).
Based on salaries alone, the obvious starter is Blackwood, who makes $5.25 million annually compared to Wedgewood’s $2.5 million AAV. One could argue that after last season, Wedgewood is underpaid, which makes him a bargain right now.
Both goaltenders have a chance to climb inside the top-10 in wins for an Avalanche/Nordiques goalie. In 10th place is Clint Malarchuk with 62. Making Wedgewood 18 wins away from tying him and Blackwood 17 away. Hypothetically, both goaltenders can reach those milestones this upcoming season.
There were times in which the goaltending saved Colorado last year. When hardly anything was clicking offensively, both goalies came to play to keep them in those games.
Blackwood, if healthy, could climb to eighth place on Colorado’s all-time wins list. He would tie Mario Gosselin (1984-89) at 79 wins if he gets 35 this season. It should absolutely be doable.
The succeses of the 2026-27 Avalanche will be a collective accomplishment. It can’t and won’t be done by one single unit. I fully expect evey level of the team to play up to their standard, not only in the regular season but also in the playoffs. It’s going to be Stanley Cup-or-Bust as long as this group is together, and they’ll ride heavily on the guys between the pipes.
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