The Avalanche may view Ilya Nabokov as the future in net, but Scott Wedgewood’s play might delay the full-time arrival of the future another year.

While Wedgewood entered Thursday leading the NHL in wins and has held down the fort as Mackenzie Blackwood recovers from off-season surgery, the 22-year-old Nabokov has struggled in the KHL. After signing his entry-level contract with the Avalanche last summer, Nabokov chose to stay in Russia for one more season to develop and learn English before crossing the pond.

His season hasn’t gone according to plan.

In 14 games this season, Nabokov has just a .893% save percentage and appears to have lost his full-time starting job, at least for the moment. In his most recent start, he was pulled after giving up three goals on seven shots. The other goaltender on the roster, Alexander Smolin, has played one more game than Nabokov due to the Colorado prospect’s struggles, posting a .921% save percentage. The Avalanche still think highly of Nabokov, but there must be concern about the drop-off in his play. Nabokov’s previous two seasons in Russia saw him post .930% and .923% save percentages as one of the most consistent goaltenders in Russia.

Over the summer, Nabokov mentioned that his goaltending coach was trying to alter his stance, changing where he places his glove hand. It’s possible that could be playing into his slow start, and there’s still plenty of season left for him to turn it around. But the Avalanche must be considered their plan in net beyond this season.

The 33-year-old Wedgewood signed a one-year contract extension Thursday that will keep him with the team through the 2026-27 season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent after this season. In a perfect world, the plan was likely for Nabokov to take over the backup job behind Blackwood next season, allowing the Avalanche to save a little bit of money in net for at least one season.

Since arriving in Colorado, Wedgewood has posted a 23-5-3 record and a .915 save percentage. Beyond his strong play on the ice, he’s a beloved teammate and has a great relationship with Blackwood. The veteran currently has a $1.5 million cap hit.

Strong goaltending is a tremendous asset in the NHL. When you have it, you don’t want to let it go.

Vancouver Canucks’ Linus Karlsson, front right, looks for the pass in front of Colorado Avalanche goalie MacKenzie Blackwood, left, and Cale Makar (8) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

What I’m hearing

Speaking of planning ahead, look for Jack Drury to be the next player the Avalanche attempt to lock up with a contract extension. Drury is set to become a restricted free agent after this season and is off to a tremendous start playing in that third-line center role. Rod Brind’Amour loved coaching him in Carolina and Jared Bednar is no different.

Nathan MacKinnon has gone head-to-head against the likes of Connor McDavid, Leo Carlsson, Macklin Celebrini, Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes in the last three weeks. In those six games, he’s posted 13 points and is a plus-7. “I think that’s part of what makes the best guys the best, Nate included. They’re so competitive,” Bednar said.

Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) skates with the puck while being pursued by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

What I’m seeing

I asked Bednar after the Anaheim win if the game is starting to slow down for Zakhar Bardakov. He said he believes it is, and I think his increased physicality is evidence. That’s typically an indication a player is thinking less and trusting their instincts more.

The Toronto Maple Leafs missing the playoffs cannot be ruled out. They look incredibly average. Did Mitch Marner have his issues in the playoffs? Absolutely, but removing a 100-point-scorer from your roster and doing very little to replace him is not a recipe for success.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) reacts after missing a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

What I’m thinking

We’re 17 games into the season and it should come as no surprise the Avalanche and Dallas Stars are setting the pace in the Central Division. Winning the division will be very important for those teams to avoid each other in the first round.

Connor Bedard has taken a big leap forward in his third year, but Chicago’s MVP is Spencer Knight, a 24-year-old goaltender who has a .923% save percentage to start the year. The Blackhawks remind me of the 2013-14 Avalanche, who were a ton of fun to watch but their real MVP was Semyon Varlamov, who should have won the Hart Trophy that year.