Going into the 2024-25 NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche envisioned Justus Annunen eventually taking control of the starting goaltender position in place of Alexandar Georgiev. Plenty has transpired since then, including a stretch of good games for Georgiev, along with the eventual trade of Annunen to the Nashville Predators for backup Scott Wedgewood.
The trade was so new, that Wedgewood would actually enter his first game as a member of the Avalanche, as early as the middle of the first period vs the Buffalo Sabres. Sadly, Georgiev was unable to stop four shots from entering the net, putting the team in an early hole.
Scott Wedgewood is now in goal.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 4, 2024
Wedgewood played just over 48 minutes for the Avalanche, putting up a shutout on 22 shots. By no means was this game over with 48 minutes left for Wedgewood to show what he could do. That he did. It also felt like the Avalanche had another gear not just after the goalie switch, but specifically the second period going forward. Colorado scored once in the second period, while Buffalo was shutout the remainder of the game.
Eventually, in the third period, Colorado stepped up big time and was able to pull off four goals of their own. Sometimes, it is as simple as just shooting the puck on the opposing net. Eventually, there will be chances for “soft goals” against the other team’s goaltender. Other times, they will be phenomenal goals made by the best of the best. Other times, it is possible that unexpected players will step up.
Of course, it might be too early to crown Wedgewood as a player who can take over the starting job. However, like we saw sometimes when Annunen was in the net, it feels like some things just click when there’s a goalie change. I hate to bash Georgiev as much as I do, to be honest, but facts are facts.
I put up a poll on the Mile High sticking X account during the game, asking fans if they felt the Avalanche traded the wrong goaltender. As I’m writing this, 79 percent of 122 votes say yes, they did trade the wrong one. A fan also commented that the Colorado Avalanche could still technically trade Georgiev.
That would be interesting.