The Colorado Avalanche are making moves in the crease, and it’s all tied to the status of veteran goaltender Scott Wedgewood. After leaving the Dec. 2 game with an upper-body injury and not returning, Wedgewood’s availability for the upcoming road trip is up in the air. As a result, the Avalanche have recalled 24-year-old Trent Miner from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles - a clear sign the team is preparing for the possibility that Wedgewood could miss some time.
Head coach Jared Bednar wasn’t ready to commit to a goalie recall immediately after the game, but with the Avalanche heading out on a road swing that stretches until Dec. 11 - including a stop on Long Island tomorrow - the team clearly felt it was better to be safe than shorthanded.
This marks Miner’s second stint with the big club this season. He saw NHL action back in October, appearing in two games and posting a solid .909 save percentage.
Since then, he’s been backstopping the Eagles with consistency, going 4-1 with a .908 save percentage in the AHL. That’s not a fluke either - Miner’s been quietly building a strong résumé in the minors, boasting a career .919 save percentage across more than 70 games.
He’s under contract through next season on a two-way deal with a $775,000 NHL cap hit, and right now, he’s firmly slotted in as the Avalanche’s No. 3 goaltender. That role might not come with a ton of spotlight, but it’s a crucial one - especially when injuries start to test a team’s depth.
Looking ahead, Miner’s path to a full-time NHL role in Colorado is a bit crowded. Wedgewood recently signed a one-year extension worth $2.5 million, which all but locks in the Avalanche’s tandem for next season.
But that doesn’t mean Miner’s stuck. If he continues to deliver strong performances in the AHL and makes the most of any NHL minutes he gets, he could turn some heads around the league.
Teams are always on the lookout for capable, affordable backup options - and Miner is quietly building a case to be just that.
For now, though, the focus is on the immediate road trip and how the Avalanche will navigate Wedgewood’s absence. Miner’s recall gives them a safety net, and potentially, another chance to see what the young netminder can do at the highest level.