With a couple of days off before they hit the ice again, the Colorado Avalanche are using the downtime to reset, regroup-and get healthier. When they return to Ball Arena on Friday night to host the Nashville Predators, they’ll be looking to start a new home winning streak. And they may be doing it with a key reinforcement back between the pipes.
Blackwood Returns at the Right Time
The Avs received a much-needed boost this week as goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood was officially activated off injured reserve. While it’s not confirmed he’ll start Friday, the timing of his return couldn’t be better.
Trent Miner has held down the fort with back-to-back starts, including a tough assignment against the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs. That start wasn’t necessarily by design-it was out of necessity.
Scott Wedgewood has been dealing with something physically and needed a break. Blackwood’s return gives Colorado the ability to ease Wedgewood’s workload and restore some balance to the crease.
For a team with postseason aspirations, goaltending depth is more than a luxury-it’s a necessity. Getting Blackwood back into the rotation is a step toward stabilizing that position as the second half of the season ramps up.
Trade Chatter Heating Up-But Don’t Expect a Splash Just Yet
With the NHL’s next roster freeze looming on February 4 ahead of the Olympic break, trade rumors are starting to swirl. For now, the Avalanche don’t appear to be front-runners for any blockbuster deals-but that doesn’t mean they’re sitting idle.
One name that’s been loosely connected to Colorado is Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton. On paper, Hamilton would be a strong fit for any contender.
But his $9 million cap hit makes a deal with the Avalanche highly unlikely. Colorado would have to move mountains to make that kind of salary work, and it just doesn’t align with how they’ve managed the cap in recent years.
Another name that’s surfaced is Kiefer Sherwood-a more financially feasible option. But the reported asking price is steep, possibly involving a top prospect and a first-round pick. For a player who’d likely be a rental, that’s a tough sell for a front office that’s been careful about mortgaging the future.
Still, don’t rule out Colorado making a move after the Olympic break. Much of their trade deadline activity could hinge on how the roster holds up health-wise over the next few weeks. If injuries pile up-or if there’s a clear need in the bottom six or on the blue line-expect GM Chris MacFarland to be aggressive, but calculated.
Roster Moves: Cap Management in Motion
Alongside Blackwood’s activation, the Avalanche made a flurry of roster moves this week-most of them strategic in nature.
Trent Miner was reassigned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, a logical step with Blackwood back in the mix. Forwards Zakhar Bardakov and Ivan Ivan were also sent down. These are largely paper moves, aimed at managing the salary cap and maximizing the team’s flexibility heading into the trade deadline.
And speaking of cap space, the Avalanche are in a pretty solid position. Per PuckPedia, they could have around $9 million in deadline cap space to work with. That kind of cushion gives Colorado options-whether it’s adding a depth forward, shoring up the third pairing on defense, or simply giving themselves room to maneuver if injuries strike.
What’s Next?
Friday’s matchup against the Predators is more than just another divisional tilt-it’s a chance for the Avalanche to get back into rhythm at home and see how their goaltending situation shapes up with Blackwood back in the mix. With the Olympic break on the horizon and the trade deadline lurking not far behind, every game, every shift, and every healthy body matters just a little more.
For now, the Avalanche are staying patient-but they’re also keeping their options open. And in a tightly packed Central Division, that’s exactly where they need to be.