The Colorado Avalanche could face a tense situation in the crease with starting goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood potentially opening the season on the shelf.
Blackwood sustained what appears to be a lower-body injury during training leading up to camp. He has yet hit the ice for preseason action, though he’s been a participant in some drills.
As such, the Avalanche look like they’ll be betting on backup Scott Wedgewood opening the season as the starter with Colorado Eagles starter Trent Miner backing him up.
From what we’ve seen thus far in the preseason, a Wedgewood-Miner tandem is not the worst thing in the world.
But what if there was a way for the Avalanche to add another goalie without it costing an arm and a leg?
That could be the case if Boston Bruins goalie Michael DiPietro hits waivers at the end of camp. DiPietro has been a stellar AHL-level goalie, but has struggled at the NHL level. Still, the Bruins think highly enough of him to want to keep him on the roster.
But the Bruins may have to decide between rolling with three goalies or moving one out. And DiPietro could be the odd man out.
Colorado could claim the 26-year-old DiPietro off waivers and add him to the NHL roster. That situation could allow the Avs to send Miner back to the Eagles as the full-time starter. A Wedgewood-DiPietro tandem could be a solid duo meanwhile Blackwood is out of the lineup due to injury.
Avalanche may not know what to do with DiPietro when Blackwood returns
The idea of adding DiPietro sounds great. He could be a fantastic addition. However, the Avs may run into a crowded crease when Blackwood returns. The Avs would suddenly have three goalies.
The Avalanche could waive Wedgewood, though losing an experienced backup like Wedgewood to waivers would be silly.
The Avs could also send DiPietro to the Eagles. But that opens up the same situation as Boston. Colorado risks losing DiPietro for nothing. But then again, once Blackwood is fully healthy, losing DiPietro could be a loss the team is prepared to take.
But then again, the Avalanche could have one other possibility in mind. Trading Wedgewood and keeping DiPietro as Blackwood’s backup. Wedgewood will be a UFA next summer, while DiPietro is still under contract for a couple more seasons.
That approach depends on DiPietro proving he can handle NHL workload. That’s something still up in the air.
If it works out, the Avalanche could suddenly have options. With a goalie-starved market, Colorado could fetch a decent return for a career backup goalie.
This entire conversation hinges on two things, however. First, this idea depends on the Bruins placing DiPietro on waivers as they attempt to send him down to the AHL. The second element is that every other team in front of the Avalanche chooses to pass on DiPietro.
The way waivers work, the teams with the worst records have first crack at the waiver-wire. That would mean the San Jose Sharks would get the first shot. The last team to get a shot at the waiver wire would be the Florida Panthers as they are the reigning Stanley Cup champs.
That situation means the Avalanche would have about 20-some-odd teams ahead of them in the waiver list. Perhaps no one looks at DiPietro until it’s the Avalanche’s turn. Who knows.
This entire discussion could be moot if the Bruins just choose to keep DiPietro in the fold.