The Colorado Avalanche are hitting the road, and they’re making a couple of roster tweaks before heading out - the kind that reflect both the human side of the game and the business of managing a season.
Ahead of their trip that starts Sunday in Toronto, the Avs have recalled goaltender Isak Posch from AHL Colorado. To make room, veteran netminder Scott Wedgewood has been moved to non-roster status - but for all the right reasons.
Let’s start with Posch. The 23-year-old is in his first full season as a pro after signing his entry-level deal last March.
He spent two solid seasons at St. Cloud State before making the jump, and so far, he’s handled the transition to the AHL with poise.
Through 20 games with the Colorado Eagles, Posch has posted a 2.45 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage - numbers that don’t just look good on paper, but also speak to his consistency and readiness at the next level.
This call-up isn’t about throwing him into the fire. He’s expected to serve as the backup to Mackenzie Blackwood while Wedgewood is away.
But for Posch, it’s a well-earned opportunity to get a taste of NHL life - and yes, a few days of NHL pay never hurts either. It’s also a nod from the organization that they like what they’re seeing in his development.
Now, onto Wedgewood. His designation as non-roster isn’t injury-related - it’s family-related.
His wife just gave birth, and the team is giving him a little extra time to soak in those first moments of fatherhood. It’s a short-term absence, and he’s expected to rejoin the team during the road trip.
Wedgewood’s been one of the more quietly impressive stories of the Avs’ season. At 33, he’s having what can only be called a breakout campaign, putting up a 2.14 GAA and a .918 save percentage across 30 starts.
That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed - and the Avalanche rewarded him with a two-year, $5 million extension. It’s the kind of stability both player and team can build on.
So while this roster shuffle may seem minor on the surface, it highlights a few key things: a young goaltender on the rise getting his shot, a veteran earning time off for a life milestone, and a team that’s managing its depth smartly as it gears up for a tough road stretch.