Avalanche goaltenders hit with heartbreaking news ahead of tonight's game against the Blues

The official roster revealed neither Scott Wedgewood nor Mackenzie Blackwood will wear the maple leaf, despite both being active NHL goaltenders this season with Colorado. The decision landed quickly and spread just as fast.

Evan Rawal was first to flag the omission publicly, confirming neither goalie made the list once names became official.

Wedgewood, 33, has quietly delivered stability behind a Colorado defense that has allowed far fewer slot chances lately. His save percentage has hovered in the solid middle tier, and his calm puck handling has helped the Avalanche exits stay cleaner.

Blackwood's case felt different. At 29, and drafted 42nd overall by New Jersey in 2015, he entered the season viewed by some as a potential depth option for Canada. Injuries earlier in his career never fully erased the upside.

Still, Canada went another direction. Experience, pedigree, and recent international familiarity often win these rooms, even when NHL results suggest a wider conversation might be deserved.

Fans will say it out loud, this feels like one of those moments where Colorado players rarely get the benefit of the doubt nationally unless trophies are already in the case.

From a hockey standpoint, the snub does not change Colorado's internal math. Jared Bednar continues to lean on structure, limiting east west passes and forcing shots from the outside. That system has kept both goaltenders steady.

The Avalanche are far more concerned with Central Division points than international politics. Colorado's record remains strong, and the goaltending tandem has delivered enough nights where the skaters can play aggressive through the neutral zone.

There is also a mental edge here. Players often respond after a snub, and Colorado could benefit from two motivated goalies sharpening details like rebound control and post integration.

International tournaments pass quickly. NHL seasons do not. For Wedgewood and Blackwood, the message is simple, keep stopping pucks and let the rest take care of itself.

By spring, nobody in Denver will remember who got left off a roster if Colorado is rolling toward another long playoff run.