Mackenzie Blackwood returns to SAP Center with Avalanche, signifying turning point in Sharks’ rebuild
SAN JOSE — Mackenzie Blackwood didn’t have much time to say goodbye.
Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to wait long to come back. The former Sharks goaltender found out on Dec. 9 — his 28th birthday — that he was being traded from San Jose to Colorado.
He had gone through a full practice with the Sharks earlier that day, then had to hop off the team bus and head to Denver. Ten days later, he’s back in the building where he spent nearly a season-and-a-half of his hockey career.
“(Feels) weird,” Blackwood said of returning to San Jose. “But it’s good. Enjoyed being here, all the guys. It was a good time. A lot of friendships that I made, and I’ll always remember that. But it’s a good opportunity here, and I’m excited to be a part of this team.”
The Avalanche, who are much better positioned for the playoffs, brought in Blackwood as the missing piece in net. San Jose, meanwhile, is trying to avoid the basement of the Western Conference.
The Sharks sit last in the Pacific Division and lead Chicago and Nashville by just three points for the lowest total in the West. That said, Blackwood sees brighter days ahead for his former teammates.
“Look at the difference from last year to this year,” Blackwood said. “They’re a good young team who’s building in the right direction. In a couple years, they’re going to be trying to make a push for everything. They’re not too far away. A couple years, and they’ll be right there with the best of ‘em.”
For Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky, Blackwood’s return highlights how important he was to the Sharks’ period of redevelopment over the past two seasons.
“I thought he was an outstanding goalie, person, and teammate,” Warsofsky said. “What he gave us each and every night was a chance to win a hockey game. He worked extremely hard. The guys love him. He was a great teammate, good personality, a competitor. He’s going to have a really bright future in this league, whether that’s with Colorado after the year or whatnot. But going forward, they’ve got a really good one.”
Blackwood will match up with his trade counterpart, Alexandar Georgiev, on Tuesday night at SAP Center. Blackwood has provided a lift for his new Avs teammates as they chase a playoff berth.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air in the locker room,” said Colorado center Casey Mittelstadt. “He’s a good guy. He and (Scott Wedgewood) both came in, sparked a little bit of life for this team. He’s been great. He’s a big goalie in the net. He’s played really well for us.”
In two games played with the Avalanche, Blackwood has stopped 59 shots and registered a save percentage of .937. His best performance came against Nashville, when he collected 37 saves and posted a save percentage of .949 in a 5-2 win.
“He’s been hilarious,” said Avs center Ross Colton. “Funny guy in the room. He’s huge. Big goalie. He’s played super well for us so far. He pretty much stole us a game at home against Nashville, and thought he played really well in Vancouver as well.”
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said the trade has allowed both Blackwood and Georgiev to showcase their best with a new team.
“Very good opportunity for Georgiev coming here,” Bednar said. “Fresh start, new team. And for us, Blackwood and Wedgewood give us the goaltending we need to be in games and carve out some wins.”
Blackwood isn’t the only former Shark making his return to SAP Center. Givani Smith is also back in the building after a San Jose tenure where he was often a healthy scratch.
He’s played three games for the Avalanche since the trade, and while he hasn’t yet recorded a point, he’s enjoyed the more straightforward path to playing time.
“It’s been good,” Smith told this news organization. “Good emotions, high emotions. Very excited to go to a new place, a better team, and it’s been good so far.”
He’s enjoyed having a teammate travel alongside him to ease his adjustment to a new chapter in Colorado.
“A lot easier with the transition, for sure, having him with me,” Smith said. “He’s a good guy, so it’s nice that he can come with me.”
Like Blackwood, Smith foresees a promising future ahead for the Sharks.
“They’ll be good. They got a lot of young talent,” Smith said. “They’ll be really good over the years. That just takes time. A lot of teams go through the rebuild, takes a few years. They’ll get there eventually.”