Could The Avalanche, Blue Jackets And Penguins Still Make Goalie Trades?
Alexandar Georgiev
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche's inconsistent goaltending contributed to their 0-4-0 start. Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen allowed a combined 21 goals during that stretch.
Their problems between the pipes generated media speculation over possible solutions, linking them to John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks and Mackenzie Blackwood of the San Jose Sharks.
The Avalanche have since reeled off three straight wins with Georgiev and Annunen combining to allow only six goals in total.
Corey Masisak of The Denver Post believes Georgiev can still turn things around. He also considers Annunen a wild card, suggesting it would be risky to use him for too long as a starter.
Waiver pickup Kaapo Kahkonen hasn't seen any game action yet with the Avalanche. Masisak pointed out that he's yet to establish himself as an NHL starter.
Masisak looked at possible trade options if their current goaltenders fail to improve. He pointed out that the Avalanche's limited salary-cap space makes it difficult to add a goalie even if Annunen and Kahkonen were in the minors.
Trade deadline choices could include Blackwood or his fellow Sharks netminder Vitek Vanecek, Washington's Logan Thompson or Charlie Lindgren, Detroit's Alex Lyon, Calgary's Dan Vladar or Utah's Karel Vejmelka.
Masisak observed they're all pending UFAs like Georgiev. However, some salary retention would have to occur if the Avs were to squeeze one of them within their limited cap constraints.
Speaking of teams with goaltending issues, the ongoing woes of the Pittsburgh Penguins' Tristan Jarry caught the eye of The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. He noted that Columbus Blue Jackets starter Elvis Merzlikins' struggles from 2023-24 have carried over into this season.
Both goalies carry similar annual average salaries, with Jarry earning $5.375 million through 2027-28 and Merzlkins $5.4 million through 2026-27.
Portzline wondered if the two clubs would consider swapping starters, with the idea being a change of teams might help them improve. He noted they both have modified no-trade clauses and it's unknown which teams are on them.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell probably isn't keen on that notion. In an interview with RG.org's James Murphy, he indicated he's not about to make any quick-fix trades for his injury-ravaged club.
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