After an eventful couple of days in which the unfortunate news broke out of New York regarding the loss of their superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin to injury for the rest of year, rumors naturally begin to swirl about how the Rangers plan to replace their sudden gaping hole in net. To the surprise of many, hockey insider Kevin Weekes floated the suggestion of Mackenzie Blackwood as a trade candidate.
Considering Blackwood is in the second year of a five-year $26.5 million contract and the Avalanche coaching staff is clearly trying to establish him as the starting netminder in Colorado it seems the suggestion is an odd choice. Scott Wedgewood who is currently on an expiring one-year contract extension for $2.5 million would seem a better option for New York who presumably would expect Shesterkin back next season. Plus, if Wedgewood is going to walk to unrestricted free agency this summer then selling high to a desperate party isn’t a terrible idea.
But, then Saturday night happened.
In a 6-3 loss to Toronto, Blackwood gave up five goals on 22 shots. It’s still very early in the season and sample sizes are microscopic but a 2-2 record with a 3.30 Goals Against Average and a .867 save percentage was probably not anyone’s idea of a hot start. If the New York Rangers actually do come calling, should a trade of either goaltender be something GM Joe Sakic should explore?
Get back to the good feels with a big dose of hype with the latest installment of Peak Access which goes over Cale Makar’s big extension and behind the scenes leading up to puck drop on the 2026-27 season.
