It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearly two weeks into the 2024-25 season, but some general managers are already thinking about trades. Some clubs are already off to less than desirable starts and may want to make some deals. However, some clubs are going to wait and see before making a trade. One of those clubs that might be in a dealing mood is the San Jose Sharks. Today’s NHL rumours deals with one of the Sharks goalies may be on the block.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
San Jose Sharks Netminder Getting Trade Calls
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman mentioned that San Jose goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is getting some interest from teams. He adds that one of the teams has asked about the goalie is the Colorado Avalanche. This was mentioned on the 32 Thoughts Podcast recently.
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— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 18, 2024
Analysis: Blackwood seems to be getting looks from teams that need goaltending help. San Jose currently has Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek as its two goalies. However, Yaroslav Askarov has gotten back-to-back shutouts for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. Askarov is itching for a chance to get NHL minutes and has done well in the AHL while in the Nashville Predators organization.
The former New Jersey Devils goalie is in the final year of a contract that sees him make $2.35 million per season. Both Blackwood and Vanecek are in the last season of their respective contracts. It seems that either one could be a trade target, but Blackwood seems to the one being asked about at this moment.
However, we could see both parts of the current goalie duo being subject to trade rumours. Askarov’s play in the AHL will get give Sharks General Manager Mike Grier some leeway when it cokes to pursuing a deal.
Colorado Comes a Calling?
It’s no secret that the Avalanche have struggled and the main reason has been goaltending. Alexandar Georgiev has regressed aftter backstopping the team to a Stanley Cup in 2023. Colorado is still scoring goals at a blistering pace. However, the Avs have struggled to keep pucks out of the night.
It took until the fifth game of the season to break into the win column. There’s a world of expectations on Colorado’s shoulders, but the goaltending has been letting it down so far this campaign.
The Avalanche have already picked up one former San Jose goalie in claiming Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Kahkonen recently practiced for the first time with the Avs on Saturday. There’s no word on when he could suit up for a game.
Colorado knows that it can’t waste any time on fixing its goaltending issues. The Dallas Stars and Utah Hockey Club have gotten off to great starts and the Avs need to get moving. If Georgiev finds his game, Avs General Manager Chris MacFarland could hold off on making a deal. However, the clock is ticking on the Avalanche fixing their goalie problems.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
