MacKenzie Blackwood has surfaced as a possible answer for the New York Rangers after Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending injury, with insider Kevin Weekes floating the Colorado Avalanche goalie as one of several options.
Shesterkin left Friday night’s game against the Washington Capitals with a leg injury, and it was confirmed Saturday that the Rangers netminder will miss the rest of the season. That leaves New York in a tough spot, with its third-stringer set to step into the starting role unless the team makes a move.
Weekes stirred the conversation with a post on October 10, 2026, laying out a few names the Rangers might consider.
“Tough news for @NYRangers re Shesterkin.
Do NYR make a play for Helleybucyk for the year ? Gustavsson ?
Blackwood ? Jonathan Quick return to playing ?
Mrazek is ready to play I’m told. Reimer ?
#HockeyX pic.twitter.com/8qVV3vJmGn”
Connor Hellebuyck looks like the cleanest option on that list. Jonathan Quick coming out of retirement would be another twist, while Filip Gustavsson is also in the mix, though the Minnesota Wild goalie is injured. That leaves Blackwood as one of the more intriguing names Weekes mentioned.
The question now is whether there’s real smoke behind that idea or whether Weekes was simply tossing out possibilities. If a Blackwood trade were actually on the table, it would be a strange move for Colorado on the surface.
Scott Wedgewood is there, and there’s nothing wrong with sticking with him. Still, the idea could make more sense if the Avalanche have another plan in mind.
One reason Blackwood’s name stands out is Ilya Nabokov. His path in Colorado looks blocked right now, since Blackwood is under contract for four more seasons. Wedgewood’s deal expires after this season, and Nabokov would appear to be stuck as Blackwood’s backup if nothing changes.
Nabokov has also handled the North American game well enough that he could be NHL-ready as soon as next season. That raises the possibility of a Wedgewood-Nabokov tandem in Colorado next year.
If the Avalanche did move Blackwood, the return would add to the team’s war chest, and that could matter at the NHL trade deadline. Still, the sense here is that this is a deal that probably doesn’t happen. There are other goaltenders who make more sense for New York than Blackwood.
Even so, the situation is fluid, and if something is going to get done, it likely won’t take long. The Rangers can’t afford to let this drag on while their season hangs in the balance.
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