San Jose Sharks Trade Mackenzie Blackwood to Colorado Avalanche in Multi-Asset Deal

The Sharks continue their rebuild by acquiring Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, and draft picks in exchange for Blackwood and other assets.

The San Jose Sharks traded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, and two draft picks, including a 2026 second-round selection.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier turned a low-cost acquisition of Blackwood in 2023 into a significant return, continuing a pattern of savvy trades during the team’s rebuild.
Blackwood, who has posted a .909 save percentage this season, moves to Colorado to address the Avalanche's struggling goaltending, which ranks among the NHL's worst this season.
Alexandar Georgiev, who has struggled with a .874 save percentage this season, joins a rebuilding Sharks team that may use him as a stopgap while developing young goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
Nikolai Kovalenko, a 25-year-old forward with defensive skills and eight points in 28 games this season, could find a larger role in San Jose’s lineup as the team evaluates his potential for the future.