Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Colorado Avalanche News

Colorado has acquired Nicolas Roy from Colorado for a 2027 1st round pick and a 2026 5th round pick.

Roy has become a valuable bottom-six center in the NHL and will bring that presence to Colorado as they set their sights on a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old Roy averaged 14:45 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (5G / 15A), 32 blocks, and 61 hits in 59 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nicolas Roy
The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

Nick Blankenburg
Wedgewood will start in Anaheim on Tuesday.

Wedgewood was excellent in his return from the Olympic break, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Dating back to the beginning of January, the 33-year-old Wedgewood has faltered a bit in an otherwise tremendous season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .895 SV% in his last eight games (4-3-1). The Avalanche enter Tuesday's contest as -144 road favourites against a Ducks team on a five-game winning streak.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood is expected to start in Anaheim on Tuesday.

Wedgewood was excellent in his return from the Olympic break, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Dating back to the beginning of January, the 33-year-old Wedgewood has faltered a bit in an otherwise tremendous season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .895 SV% in his last eight games (4-3-1). The Avalanche enter Tuesday's contest as -144 road favourites against a Ducks team on a five-game winning streak.

Scott Wedgewood
Lehkonen (upper-body) will be out vs. Anaheim and is expected to be out a while.

Lehkonen exited Monday's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings in the first period due an upper-body injury and did not return. Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters post-game that Lehkonen is "going to miss some time." Expect a more clear timeline at some point, but we know he won't play Tuesday in Anaheim and likely won't be available for the road-trip finale in Dallas on Friday.

Artturi Lehkonen
Blackwood will start in Los Angeles on Monday.

As he has been all season, Blackwood has been solid since returning from the Olympic break, saving 45 of 49 combined shots (.918 SV%) in two games (1-1-0). The 29-year-old Blackwood has a stellar 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% in his last seven games, but has only managed a 4-3-0 record as Colorado has battled some adversity. The Avalanche enter the action on Monday as -165 road favourites against a Los Angeles Kings team coming off a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames to snap a dream three-game losing streak in which they were outscored 18-6.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood is expected to start in Los Angeles on Monday.

As he has been all season, Blackwood has been solid since returning from the Olympic break, saving 45 of 49 combined shots (.918 SV%) in two games (1-1-0). The 29-year-old Blackwood has a stellar 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% in his last seven games, but has only managed a 4-3-0 record as Colorado has battled some adversity. The Avalanche enter the action on Monday as -165 road favourites against a Los Angeles Kings team coming off a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames to snap a dream three-game losing streak in which they were outscored 18-6.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood will start against the Wild on Thursday.

Colorado will turn to Blackwood in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday, a pivotal Central Division matchup against the Minnesota Wild, and hope he can pick up where he left off before the Olympic break. Heading into the league stoppage, the 29-year-old Blackwood had a dazzling 1.42 GAA and .947 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Thursday as -142 home favourites against a Wild team they defeated 5-1 in their previous meeting.

Mackenzie Blackwood
MacKinnon (maintenance) is expected to return vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

MacKinnon had seven points (4G / 3A) in six games for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but was given an extra maintenance day and was kept out of the lineup on Wednesday. That said, he should draw back into the lineup on Thursday in a highly contested Divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild. The 30-year-old MacKinnon is having another tremendous season, among the league leaders with 93 points (40G / 53A) through 55 games. That said, he has only 22 powerplay points, the fewest of any player with at least 69 points this season.

Nathan MacKinnon
Blackwood is expected to start vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

Colorado will turn to Blackwood in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday, a pivotal Central Division matchup against the Minnesota Wild, and hope he can pick up where he left off before the Olympic break. Heading into the league stoppage, the 29-year-old Blackwood had a dazzling 1.42 GAA and .947 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Thursday as -142 home favourites against a Wild team they defeated 5-1 in their previous meeting.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Wedgewood will start in Utah on Wednesday.

Wedgewood was sidelined for Colorado's final few games heading into the Olympic break and should be well rested when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Wedgewood already has a career-high 20 wins this season and will look to continue his hot hand as the Avalanche will be battling to capture the Presidents' Trophy this season. Despite his immense success this season, Wedgewood was battling adversity in his most recent games, losing four of eight (4-3-1) while posting subpar numbers of 3.10 GAA and .878 SV%. Still, Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -120 road favourites against Utah.

Scott Wedgewood