Shocking NHL report could change the fate of Colorado's starting goalie

Blackwood, along with Golden Knights' Adin Hill and Canadiens' Samuel Montembeault, made the cut in the writers' latest picks.

Mike Zeisberger from NHL.com writes that goaltending is one of hockey's most star-making positions. As the last line of defense, wearing distinctive, personalized gear, goalies naturally draw attention on the ice.

They're celebrated for heroics in a win and criticized for mistakes in a loss. Yet, some of the league's masked men remain under the radar, while others become the faces of the position.

A lower profile, however, doesn't masked men remain under the radar, while others become the faces of the position.

Last October, when a member of Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off management said Blackwood was being scouted for the February tournament, I was skeptical.

At 28, Blackwood had posted four consecutive seasons (2020-24) with a GAA above 3.00 while playing for the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks.

On paper, he hardly seemed like a contender to join a Canadian national team boasting legends like Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph, Roberto Luongo, and Carey Price.

Look at the 2024-25 season; in 19 games with the struggling Sharks, Blackwood went 6-9-3 with a 3.00 GAA, though he maintained a solid .911 save percentage.

After being traded to the talented Avalanche, his numbers surged to 22-12-3 with a 2.33 GAA and .913 saver percentage across 37 games. With a stronger team in front of him, perhaps we're finally seeing the true Blackwood.

With numbers like these, it's clear that Mackenzie Blackwood is quietly one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL.

Source:
NHL.com
Most underrated goalie in League today debated by NHL.com