DENVER — A civil war is brewing of the friendly variety.
Going into the season, Mackenzie Blackwood was the goaltender drawing early Olympic-bid buzz. But after it was reported that the eight-year NHL veteran had undergone offseason surgery to repair a lower-body injury and had a slower than expected recovery, other names began to float around the rumor mill.
However, one name that wasn’t even on anyone’s radar at the start of the season has emerged as arguably the NHL’s best goaltender: Scott Wedgewood. It was reported Tuesday night by TSN’s Darren Dreger that Team Canada had added Wedgewood to their Olympic long list.
SCOTT WEDGEWOOD 🤯
— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2025
TAKE A BOW! pic.twitter.com/2ohgUtvAHG
Wedgewood Olympic Bound?
Some observers suggest Wedgewood has been revitalized since assuming the starting role from Blackwood, but the truth is that his resurgence traces back to his arrival in Colorado via trade from the Nashville Predators last season. In 19 appearances for the Avalanche in 2024-25, Wedgewood recorded a career-best 1.99 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. This season, the 33-year-old has continued that upward trajectory, compiling a 13-1-2 record through 17 games while leading the NHL in wins. His .918 save percentage and 2.21 goals-against average suggest that, with a larger sample size, Wedgewood may have actually improved since last year.
Blackwood Emerges from the Shadows
Meanwhile, Blackwood has not conceded without a fight. The 28-year-old struggled in his first three outings of the year, prompting coach Jared Bednar to publicly challenge him to elevate his game, though he reiterated his full confidence in his goaltender. Blackwood, while dismissing the need for external motivation, responded emphatically with a 35-save shutout on November 22 as the Avalanche blanked the Predators 3-0. Wedgewood countered the very next day with a 1-0 shutout over the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center.
Could this team become even more formidable? Beyond holding the best record in the NHL at 16-1-5, Colorado boasts two elite goaltenders competing not only for the starting role on the team but also for a position on the Olympic roster. Fortunately for the Avalanche, this internal competition is characterized by mutual respect: both players genuinely celebrate each other’s successes and push one another to elevate their performances. If Blackwood—who has posted a 3-0-1 record in four games this season with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage—can continue to build momentum, the conversation surrounding Team Canada’s Olympic roster could become even more compelling.
And to boot, both men are familiar with one another. When Blackwood was starting for the New Jersey Devils, the same team that drafted him, Wedgewood was also his backup. This is a historical battle that the public didn't exactly ask for, but we're all here for it. At no point in NHL history has there ever been a battle between two goaltenders for both a starting spot and an Olympic slot at the same time. Appreciate this for all it's worth.
35 SAVES and a SHUTOUT WIN by Mackenzie Blackwood tonight for the Avalanche ...
— Nick Rothschild (@nick_rothschild) November 23, 2025
that's pretty, pretty, pretty good #Denver7pic.twitter.com/oBy4BZBgjE
Will Team Canada choose the goaltender who's been performing at the top level the longest, or will they go with the netminder who's been seemingly performing out of his depth? When it's all said and done, one will be very happy for the other, but these men aren't going down without a battle.
Gametime!
Blackwood has another opportunity to stake his claim as an Olympic candidate as he takes the crease tonight for the Avalanche against his old team in the San Jose Sharks (11-9-3) at Ball Arena. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. local time.
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