The Colorado Avalanche were dealt a concerning blow during Tuesday night’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, as goaltender Scott Wedgewood exited the game with an upper-body injury and did not return. The team made the announcement via social media during the game, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what exactly happened to the veteran netminder.
While there’s no official word yet on the exact nature or cause of the injury, reports from the arena noted that Wedgewood left the ice during a second-period TV timeout. He was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood, and notably, Wedgewood did not return to the bench for the remainder of the game.
Before his early departure, Wedgewood had logged 32 minutes and 28 seconds of ice time, stopping 10 of the 11 shots he faced. It was a short outing by his standards, but one that continued his strong form this season.
Wedgewood has been a steadying force in net for the Avalanche, boasting a 13-1-3 record through 19 appearances. His .920 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average have been key factors in Colorado’s dominant start to the season. Those numbers aren’t just solid-they’re elite, and they’ve helped fuel the Avs’ surge to the top of the NHL standings.
The timing of the injury is especially significant given that Wedgewood was recently added to the list of potential goaltenders for Team Canada ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. That’s no small recognition, and it underscores how well he’s played in what has been a breakout season of sorts for the 31-year-old.
Colorado clearly sees Wedgewood as part of their long-term plan, having signed him last month to a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season. It was a move that reinforced the team’s confidence in his ability to contribute at a high level, especially behind a defense that’s been among the league’s best.
Over the course of his NHL career, Wedgewood has suited up in 173 games, compiling a 75-55-27 record with a .908 save percentage and a 2.79 goals-against average. He’s taken the long road to NHL stability, spending significant time in the AHL and bouncing between several organizations-including stops with the Devils, Coyotes, Stars, and Predators-before finding a home in Colorado.
His playoff résumé is limited-just four appearances, all in relief-but even there, he’s shown flashes of reliability, posting a 2.28 GAA in those limited minutes. And while most of his early years were spent grinding it out in the AHL, his numbers there (94-59-24, .906 SV%, 2.54 GAA) reflect the kind of consistency that eventually earned him full-time NHL duty.
Wedgewood’s journey also includes a solid junior career in the OHL with the Plymouth Whalers, where he posted a 61-39-5 record and a .908 save percentage across 122 games-numbers that hinted at his potential even back then.
As for the Avalanche, they’ve been nothing short of dominant to start the 2025-26 campaign. With a 19-1-6 record and 44 points in just 26 games, they’re not only leading the Central Division-they’re sitting atop the entire NHL. It’s been a complete team effort, but goaltending has been a major pillar of their success.
Now, with Wedgewood sidelined, at least temporarily, the spotlight shifts to Mackenzie Blackwood. He’ll be tasked with holding down the crease for a team that has sky-high expectations and a roster built to contend deep into the spring. Blackwood has experience, but filling in for a goaltender playing at Wedgewood’s level is no small task.
The Avalanche will be hoping for positive news on Wedgewood’s status in the coming days. Because if this team is going to keep rolling the way it has, having their top netminder healthy and locked in will be a big part of the equation.