"Better than Igor" "Fleeced the Avs on dollars and term": NHL fans left divided as Mackenzie Blackwood signs $26.25M contract extension with Avalanche

After acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 9, the Colorado Avalanche have made a long-term commitment to the netminder, signing him to a five-year extension. The five-year deal will total $26.25 million, for an average annual value of $5.25 million.

Blackwood was traded from San Jose along with Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to Colorado in exchange for Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2025 conditional fifth-round draft pick.

The 28-year-old has had a great start to his Avalanche tenure, going 3-1-0 in his first four starts, with a 2.03 goals-against average, and a .931 save percentage.

Many fans took to X to share their thoughts and opinions on the Mackenzie Blackwood contract news.

"Better than Igor," one fan wrote.

"Great agent! Fleeced the Avs on dollars and term...," another fan wrote.

"Great deal. Blackwood should easily exceed the value of this deal over the next five years. Legit 1A-type goalie locked up for the Avs," another fan added.

While Mackenzie Blackwood has played quite well since his move to Colorado, some fans still aren't convinced that he's worth the large contract. On the flip side, some fans see the potential in the Canadian goaltender and feel it's fair value.

"Analytics darling. However, still a wild bet given the lack of consistent success," one fan wrote.

"Colorado seems to have a thing for signing mediocre goalies for too much and too long," one fan added.

"He's a good goalie that has always been on bad teams. He has superstar potential that never quite happened," another fan said.

Fan reaction has certainly been split on the $26.25 million contract extension.

Mackenzie Blackwood will look to prove he can be a No. 1 goaltender in Colorado

Blackwood was originally a second-round selection (42nd overall) in 2015 by the New Jersey Devils. He showed some flashes throughout his five seasons with the Devils, but never truly emerged as a No. 1 goalie.

After being dealt to San Jose in the 2023 offseason, he's played well despite the difficult circumstances of playing on a bottom-five team in the NHL. His performance interested the Colorado Avalanche enough to trade for him and commit to him.

Now 28 years old and in the prime of his career, Mackenzie Blackwood will look to continue his strong play and prove that he's well worth the five-year, $26.25 million ticket. He will be expected to receive the bulk of the starts for the Avalanche moving forward, with Scott Wedgewood as the backup to spell him when needed.

Blackwood and the Avs return from the holiday break tonight in Utah in a matchup with the Utah Hockey Club. Puck drops at 9:30 p.m. EST at Delta Center.