For the first time as a member of the Avalanche, Mackenzie Blackwood had a healthy offseason.
Entering the 2026-27 season, Blackwood was a full participant in training camp and the preseason after missing all of 2025’s camp and did not make his campaign debut until November 1st, 2025. On the ice in 2025-26, Blackwood posted a 23-10-2 record along with a .904 save percentage, 2.51 goals-against average and three shutouts in the regular season, in addition to a 1-1 mark alongside a .890 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average in the playoffs.
After what he called an inconsistent 2025-26 campaign, Blackwood said it was huge for him to be healthy for this season’s training camp.
“Just not playing catch-up,” Blackwood said. “Get to get rolling right from the get-go, so that's going a lot better this year.”
As training camp began, it was evident that Blackwood made the most of a healthy offseason, as Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar called it incredible.
“He put a tremendous amount of work in to come in the best shape of his life,” Bednar said about Blackwood. “...I'm excited for like the season that he has the potential to have.”
With that potential comes expectations, with Bednar saying he’d like to see Blackwood build off his great offseason and become Colorado’s starting goaltender.
“That's [why] he's here,” Bednar said. “That's why we signed him. I think his potential is through the roof, and we haven't seen the best of him yet. And I don't think like over the course of his career, I think he's still got another step that he can take, and I'm hoping that's this year. I think he's put himself in a real good spot to do that.”
With the beginning of his third season with the Avalanche just hours away, Blackwood’s mindset is to be the best version of himself that he can be.
“Come in every day and work hard and play as best hockey as I can,” Blackwood said. “And give the team a chance to win.”
