Regardless of being simply six video games into the 2024-25 NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche have already got goaltender rumors. However that’s what occurs if you’ve given up 29 objectives, which is the second most within the NHL to this point this season.
There are differing opinions on the Colorado Avalanche’s state of affairs. Some, like Frankie Corrado on TSN, consider that the staff doesn’t essentially must make modifications; as a substitute, they want Alexandar Georgiev to enhance his efficiency. Nonetheless, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet means that the Avalanche’s entrance workplace ought to contemplate exploring different choices, despite the fact that the season is just six video games previous.
Why We Are in This State of affairs
There isn’t any technique to sugarcoat this case, however the Avalanche goaltending to start out the season hasn’t been wherever close to acceptable. After beginning the season 0-4, Georgiev and Justus Annunen regarded shaky and unconfident within the web, giving up straightforward objectives they need to have stopped and unable to make essential saves when the staff wanted them essentially the most.
Whereas the Avalanche might need the Eleventh-best objectives for per recreation at 3.50, they’ve the worst goals-against per recreation at 4.50. Although these previous two video games in opposition to the Anaheim Geese and San Jose Sharks have been wins and seen a lot better play from each goaltenders, they arrive too late into the beginning of the season, and the narrative has began early about issues with their goaltending.
“There’s no manner the Avalanche aren’t taking a look at this and saying ‘what we are able to do? How will we repair this, and do we now have to go elsewhere?” Friedman stated of the Avs’ goalie troubles on the 32 Ideas Podcast. “It doesn’t imply they may. However they should be taking a look at it.”
Georgiev has a .884 save share (SV%) and a 2.70 goals-against common (GAA) to start out the season, whereas Annunen has a .811 SV% and a 4.99 GAA. Georgiev at present has the bottom SV% and highest GAA amongst goaltenders who’ve performed 5 or extra video games this season. It was not an ideal begin for a goaltender who completed with a career-high in begins final season with 62 and nonetheless completed with a GAA over 3.00 and a SV% beneath .900.
Possibility 1: The Safer however Much less Thrilling Possibility for a Backup
Friedman talked about two names related to Colorado, although it felt extra like hypothesis than certainty. Nonetheless, the seasoned insider usually doesn’t make assertions within the hockey world with out some foundation in fact, even when it’s solely at a floor degree. The primary title he introduced up was MacKenzie Blackwood, who was as soon as seen as the way forward for the New Jersey Devils goaltending and was even a eager for Staff Canada on the Olympics. He’s at present with the Sharks, the place he has confronted many high-danger possibilities over the previous two seasons.
“I wouldn’t be stunned if Blackwood is the type of man they’re at the very least saying ‘Okay, if we do determine to go this route, may he resolve our downside?’ I discover it unattainable to consider they’re not at the very least taking a look at it, whether or not or not they really do it,” Friedman stated.
“Once I regarded on the goaltenders that may very well be accessible, or would even make sense, Blackwood was a reputation that jumped out to me.”
In three video games began with the Sharks, Blackwood is at present 0-1, with a .875 SV% and a 4.88 GAA to start out the season. The 27-year-old is within the final 12 months of his two-year contract at a cap hit of $2.350 million. This may be a safer possibility if Annunen struggles and is distributed right down to the American Hockey League (AHL), and desires a while to refine his recreation. Kaapo Kahkonen was just lately claimed off waivers and may very well be a man he may compete with if Annunen is distributed down and Blackwood is claimed.
Possibility 2: Extra Thrilling Possibility if Georgiev Continues to Battle
The second title talked about was John Gibson. The veteran goalie for Anaheim has misplaced his beginning place to the younger Lukas Dostal. At present, he’s recovering from an appendectomy and has but to play a recreation this season.
“However the different man I ponder about is Gibson. The factor about Gibson is he has to remain wholesome. Somebody requested me if Gibson can be the right tonic for what the Avalanche want. And in concept, the reply is sure as a result of he’s an excellent goalie and will make a distinction. However he’s gotta keep wholesome. That’s at all times been the case with him.”
Gibson is in a novel state of affairs. He has two extra years left on a contract value $6.4 million. Regardless of the latest offers that NHL goalies have signed, he stays one of many higher-paid goaltenders within the league, and it may very well be troublesome to maneuver him with that cap hit and Colorado’s present state of affairs with their cap house. If Georgiev is included, then you definately would want to account for one more $3 million if there may be little or no cap retention on Anaheim’s facet.
Associated: 3 Avalanche Goalie Commerce Targets to Substitute Georgiev
“The contract you may work out. For those who assume the participant is sweet sufficient, you’ll discover a technique to make the contract work,” Friedman stated. “He’s solely acquired two years left; individuals aren’t going to be too afraid of that time period if he may play. I simply assume that the well being factor — he’s gotta show that he can play.”
Regardless of the accidents, Gibson has been a reputation on the commerce block for years for groups wanting so as to add one other goaltender to their roster. Anaheim hasn’t been good throughout his time there, and with them absolutely rebuilding and having a bit like Dostal to look upon, this may very well be the 12 months he’s moved. Regardless of the previous two seasons, Gibson nonetheless holds a .910 SV% and a 2.90 GAA in his 11 seasons with the Geese.
“I simply discover it laborious to consider that the Avalanche aren’t wanting on the goalie state of affairs. [Head coach Jared] Bednar is saying all the best issues publicly. That’s his job. Discuss up the staff, don’t let the boat tackle water, don’t give anybody any indication that you just’re giving up in your man. But it surely’s the entrance workplace’s job to sit down right here and say ‘What are our different choices?” Friedman said.
Change Should Come if Success Doesn’t Observe
It takes time to evaluate what the Avalanche will determine concerning their goaltending state of affairs. Final season, related discussions started early within the 12 months. Nonetheless, since Georgiev had a strong 2022-23 season, he wasn’t the first focus of these conversations. As a substitute, the emphasis was on Colorado needing an appropriate backup goalie to help him. Pavel Francouz was injured earlier than the season began, and Ivan Prosvetov was not assembly their wants. Earlier than the calendar turned to 2024, Annunen wasn’t doing sufficient to be given a chance. They didn’t make any goalie strikes and as a substitute promoted Annunen. He carried out adequately in a backup function to complete the season, though he didn’t face difficult opponents most nights.
The reality is Colorado has a goaltending subject. Whether or not Georgiev is a part of the answer stays unclear, however the present association with him because the starter and Annunen because the backup isn’t sensible. For those who’re questioning why Bednar has been reluctant to start out Annunen within the first 5 video games, contemplate his efficiency throughout an important second in opposition to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 12. He changed Georgiev when the Avalanche trailed 3-1 early within the second interval. Simply earlier than he confronted a shot, Colorado scored twice, tying the sport at 3-3. Nonetheless, he allowed a purpose on his very first shot and conceded two objectives out of the primary 5 he confronted, permitting the sport to slide away in opposition to a weaker opponent. This shift in momentum was speedy and detrimental.
It’s not nearly Georgiev needing to get replaced; it’s that Bednar as soon as once more lacks two goalies he can belief—he barely has one. Is Blackwood the reply? Or Gibson? I’m unsure. Nonetheless, Kahkonen might be given each alternative to function the backup now that he has arrived in Denver. If Georgiev continues struggling by mid to late November, shifting him in a commerce for one of many choices talked about may be clever. Change is important, even when it means Georgiev shares obligations with one other goalie who can step up as a starter when wanted.
