The Colorado Avalanche have a boatload of draft picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. However, as of right now, just a few days before Round 1 begins, they don’t have a selection until the third round. Still, they have a chance at drafting a gem or two.
What they don’t have the chance of doing anymore is drafting with their second-round selection. While there is no fault by the Avalanche for using that pick in a trade that landed goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks, it will be interesting to see what the team potentially passed up on.
Goaltending is final defense on a hockey team, and if you don’t have a quality goalie room, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble. The Avalanche had some of the best goaltending in all of the NHL in 2025-26, as Blackwood and teammate Scott Wedgewood—acquired from the Nashville Predators—won the William M. Jennings award for the fewest goals allowed.
It was used the proper way if they are aiming to make a splash at a difference-maker, which was the result.
The loss of the 62nd overall pick would sting more if that pick ended up in the hands of a Western Conference team, or worse—A Central Division team. No offense to the Sharks, but it’s cool that the Avalanche saved Blackwood from that young team that has to continue to develop before they are contenders.
The 62nd pick could end up being a solid piece to the Sharks’ puzzle. It’s impossible to say whether or not the player the end up selecting would have been drafted by the Avalanche, but there is a good chance that the player would end up being taken around that same spot had the Avalanche still owned the pick.
On a positive note, Colorado had the luxury of owning that pick and acquiring a goaltender who was one of the best this past season, so it’s hard to really be mad about it. It just makes Avs Faithful have to wait a little bit longer before the team is called upon to make a selection in the 2026 Draft.
I am just glad that the pick didn’t end up in the hands of the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, or any of the other Central Division foes.
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