Colorado Avalanche facing injury concerns as goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and defenseman Samuel Girard miss skates

The Colorado Avalanche enter training camp with mounting injury concerns as key players are already sidelined or limited. Newly acquired goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and veteran defenseman Samuel Girard are both dealing with health setbacks, joining winger Logan O’Connor, who is still recovering from hip surgery.

These early absences raise questions about Colorado’s depth, lineup stability, and salary cap management heading into the 2025–26 NHL season.

Mackenzie Blackwood’s injury status raises questions for Colorado Avalanche goaltending depth ahead of training camp

Mackenzie Blackwood, who signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks, did not participate in team captain’s skates throughout the week. On Friday, he worked separately with goaltending coach Jussi Parkilla but appeared to struggle when pushing off his right leg.

Blackwood also refrained from facing shots, a sign he may not be fully healthy.His potential absence at the start of the season would force the Avalanche to lean more heavily on backup Scott Wedgewood. If Blackwood’s recovery requires additional time, prospect Trent Miner could serve as the temporary backup, creating further questions about goaltending stability during the early stretch of the schedule.

Samuel Girard’s lower-body injury concern and Colorado Avalanche salary cap impact

Defenseman Samuel Girard also enters camp at less than full strength.

The 27-year-old blueliner, one of only two left-handed shots in Colorado’s projected top-six, did not join optional skates from August 17 until returning on Friday in a non-contact sweater. His limited movement suggests a lower-body issue, continuing a trend of injury interruptions over the past several seasons.Meanwhile, winger Logan O’Connor remains sidelined from offseason hip surgery, though the Avalanche’s current cap space of $1.325 million means the club does not need to immediately place him on long-term injured reserve.

However, if Blackwood and Girard’s situations extend into the regular season, managing the roster without leaning on LTIR could become more challenging for general manager Chris MacFarland.The Avalanche’s training camp is already clouded by uncertainty, with key players unavailable or less than healthy. While Blackwood and Girard’s conditions do not yet appear long-term, their progress in the coming weeks will be critical for Colorado’s season-opening roster decisions. How the team navigates these early setbacks may set the tone for their quest to remain among the NHL’s top contenders.Also Read: “We’ll be patient”: Stan Bowman on Connor McDavid’s contract decision and Edmonton Oilers’ approach