Ilya Nabokov

I know that, uh, Blackwood has signed, um, you know, a decent amount of term, uh, Wedgwood got extended just one year this year.

Ilya Nabokov is really the first goaltending prospect that has potential that the Avalanche have had in a number of years.

I would say probably if you go all the way back to David Abisher, if you remember him taking over for Patrick Wall once upon a time.

So goaltending prospects has not exactly been the Avalanche's strength.

Is there...

It's obviously one game, but what a shutout from Ilya Nabokov.

Oh my God.

A statement to say, "I'm here, and I just s- made 32 saves in my first real and professional game in North America."

Mackenzie Blackwood.

Good grief

... you, I wonder about, we're talking upward mobility about Ilya Nabokov.

If he...

They're getting chances.

And it's why I'm so excited for LaRue and O'Connor to get back, or at least one of those guys to get back, because, boy, do I want to see Nick Waugh with Jaden Schwartz I think those two guys are going to be monsters Nikwa is already looking amazing as a quality depth piece put those guys together I think you're going to have an amazing third line and I would even say I want to see TJ Hughes on that third line as well with them I think that third line can be fantastic although it does suck because Svechkov would be the odd man out and I've liked Svechkov's game quite a lot in this stretch here so far because I think he does a lot of flashy things with the puck I like his decisions in the offensive zone so you know what I would even say that hey I'm fine keeping Spetskov there too these are the ultimate champagne problems to have when you've got too many players to fit on the line but everyone fits so well I like where the avalanche are sitting so far and I did just want to bring up You know, for just a little quick update on the Colorado Eagles, Ilya Nabokov in his North American debut posted a 32-save shutout for the Eagles' first game.

So, What a wonderful introduction to North American hockey for Ilya Nabokov, the Avs' top goaltending prospect.

He's looking pretty good over in Loveland.

So, quick update for you guys up in the mountains.

Megan, it's your turn.

What's more likely? Mackenzie Blackwood sets a new career high win total, or Ilya Nabokov registers 10 starts for the Colorado Avalanche?

What is that win total, by the way?

I'm going to look up.

Perfect.

Because I also don't know it, but I'm guessing that it's more likely McKenzie Blackwood can exceed his career win total to date.

And it's not a knock against Nabokov.

I just use Eustace Arnott in making the adjustment to North American play.

... uh, certain things as well, mostly pertaining to his back.

Um, which could open some doors for a very competent goaltender up in Loveland, like Ilya Nabokov.

I'm not saying that he goes out and wins that job this year, but...

Yeah, I, you know, it's, expectations are that it's really hard to get through a season healthy, especially as a goalie.

Sounds like he's gonna start the season hurt, but doesn't seem super serious, so hopefully he's back soon.

But-

I mean, that's a door for Ilya Nabokov though, right?

Yeah, exactly.

Yep.

So, uh, yeah, uh, this is also gonna be an interesting situation for Ilya Nabokov, who officially got sent down-

Yeah

... uh, as well, 'cause Minor is still injured from what it sounds like.

Wedgwood is most likely going to be gone after this season.

I don't think we're going to keep him just because of the development of our Russian goalies, Nabokov and Novoselov.

Blackwood is going to be in contract until that 29-30 season, and with the cap going up as much as it is, Mackenzie Blackwood may be only like 2% of the cap for that $5.25 million contract by that 2029-2030 year.

And then filling in would be the Nabokov contract.

contract contract that would be filling in for Wedgwood his he becomes an RFA I believe after this next season so we would probably be putting him at a million and a half maybe even two million if we expect him to be a constant starter for us so pretty interesting things here another thing we're going to look at is this kilma car contract so 17.97 percent that is whenever his contract takes place starting next season and when with the increase to 28 29 is going to go up 14 million that's 17.97 percent becomes a very interesting 16 percent so dropping two percent that year and i've done the math even if the cap only increases by about $10 million, which is what it has been consistently doing for the past few years, in 2034 and 2035, Kale McCarr's contract would be a whopping 10.5%, 11%.

And then if you increase it by $14 million, which is what it is going to be in the 28-29 season, If you add that much, just without it increasing or decreasing, if you increase it by $14 million every season to the 2034-2035 season, then there is a possibility that Kel McCarr's contract could be even sub-10% of the Colorado Avalanche's entire cap space.

Although it's hard to think in 2034-2035 that NHL cap space would be north of $200 million, we we thought the same whenever it wasn't that it was what was cap space in 2006 like 32 million for the entire team cap space was really low not that long ago and it's increased by so much over the past few years all right that's all we have to talk about about the cap increase just a few cleanup things for right now Ilya Nabokov is tooted as the next one for the abs Scott Wedgwood is happy to guide him I'm not going to lie to him or take any stuff away from him and tell him not to talk to me it's not how I was raised Scott Wedgwood is doing a great job of playing the mentor he is the most veteran goalie we have on our team good to see that he is helping out with the younger goalies.

Now we have game day today, 6.30 tonight, preseason game number three for the Avalanche.