Before the Avalanche traded to Wedgewood, they had a 5-on-5 save percentage of .882, good for 31st in the NHL.

Blackwood was in his second season with San Jose after being traded from the Devils on June 27, 2023.

He is in the final season of a two-year, $4.7 million contract (average annual value of $2.35 million) and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025.

In 215 NHL games (201 starts) with the Sharks and Devils, Blackwood is 81-91-25 with a 3.07 GAA, .905 save percentage and 11 shutouts.

Georgiev is 8-7-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .874 save percentage in 18 games (17 starts) this season.

The 28-year-old is in the final season of a three-year deal and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He has a record of 144-89-22 with a 2.89 GAA, a .907 save percentage and 15 shutouts in 272 regular-season games (258 starts) for the Avalanche and New York Rangers.

He could play his first game with the Sharks (10-15-5) against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, NBCSCA).

Smith had not recorded a point in six games with the Sharks this season, most recently on November 25th. He had been axed in the last six games. In 161 NHL games with the Sharks, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings, the 26-year-old has recorded 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) and 260 penalty minutes.

Kovalenko has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 28 games this season. The 25-year-old was missing from the Avalanche’s 4-0 win over the Devils on Sunday.

The 2025 fifth-round pick, which goes to San Jose, could be the worse of Colorado’s two fourth-round picks if two of these three conditions are met:

* The Avalanche reach the Western Conference finals this season.

* Blackwood will win 25 games from Monday through the end of the regular season.

* Blackwood begins the 30-game regular season Monday through the end.