Colorado Avalanche Hoping to See the Lumberyard Magic Again in 2026-27
While the season did not end the way they wanted, the Colorado Avalanche had some stellar play in the crease during the 2025-26 campaign. The tandem of Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood was lights out, helping lead the way to a 55-16-11 record and a President's Trophy.
That said, can the tandem bring "The Lumberyard" magic once again in 2026-27?
Bringing Back the Lumberyard Magic?
When it comes to the Avalanche in the 2025-26 season, it's hard not to talk about the performances of Wedgewood and Blackwood, aka the Lumberyard. Regarding Blackwood, he finished the regular season with a 23-10-2 record in 39 games (36 starts) with a 2.51 goals-against average (GAA), a .904 save percentage (SV%), and three shutouts.
Blackwood started the season out due to injury, but once he got back in the crease and up to game speed, he was able to help tandem with Wedgewood to a season where both goalies were brick walls for head coach Jared Bednar.
The 29-year-old Canadian netminder is entering the second year of his five-year, $26.25 million deal, which sees his average annual value (AAV) being $5.25 million. The hope is that he comes into the 2026-27 season healthy and picking up where he left off in the regular season. While the playoffs weren't anything to write home about (1-1-0 with a 2.82 GAA and a .890 SV%), he is someone who can bounce back.
It'll be interesting to see how it plays out for Blackwood, but if he can return to form and have a better postseason, the Avalanche could be cooking in the crease. That said, can the other half of the Lumberyard bring his magic once again?
Adding a Little Wedgewood to the Lumberyard
Regarding Wedgewood, he was an anchor in the crease for the Avalanche in 2025-26. The sense was that he was going to be the 1B, or possibly the two behind Blackwood, heading into last year. However, with Blackwood out, Wedgewood was given a chance to see what he could do, and did he ever run with it.
In the regular season, the 33-year-old finished with a 31-6-6 record with a 2.02 GAA, a .921 SV%, four shutouts, and his first-ever point (assist). If there was anyone who played otherworldly for his team, it was Wedgewood for the Avalanche. He played so well that he signed a one-year, $2.5 million AAV deal to return to Denver this upcoming season.
If it wasn't for Wedgewood, who knows how the season would have gone for the Avalanche. While Blackwood did come back and play well, Wedgewood was able to keep the team afloat and help steal wins on nights when it was needed the most.
During the playoffs, Wegdewood had a 7-4-0 record in 11 games (10 started), with a 2.47 GAA and a .904 SV%. While those numbers look down compared to his regular-season numbers, he had a solid playoff, all things considered. Unfortunately for him, the scoring went cold for the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. If the scoring were there, things could have been different.
When it comes down to it, the hope for the Avalanche is that the lumberyard magic returns for another season, as they look to redeem themselves in the 2027 NHL Playoffs. While that is still a way away, the Avalanche look to have another deep playoff run, hopefully on the back of Wedgewood and Blackwood. That said, can they do it again for the Avalanche this upcoming season?
Zach Martin is originally from Northeast Ohio, but has resided in South Carolina since 2016. He has been a credentialed hockey writer with The Hockey Writers since 2023 as the Carolina Hurricanes beat writer, where he has written player profiles, storylines, game recaps, general pieces and more. Zach had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Stanley Cup Final as credentialed media covering the Carolina Hurricanes. He's written about ESPN's Mike Monaco, along with player exclusives over the last couple of years. Zach has also covered games for the World Juniors, IIHF World Championships, and the 2026 Winter Olympics. He has also covered the Colorado Avalanche and some other NHL teams at large over his time with THW.