Scott Wedgewood, Once a Devils Castoff, Becomes Avalanche's Playoff Rock at 33

Key facts

• Scott Wedgewood, 33, made his first career playoff start in 2026 for the Colorado Avalanche.
• Wedgewood went 4-0-0 in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings with a 1.21 GAA and.950 save percentage.
• He supplanted former New Jersey Devils teammate MacKenzie Blackwood as the Avalanche's No. 1 goalie.
• Wedgewood posted a 31-6-6 regular-season record with a 2.02 GAA,.921 save percentage, and four shutouts.
• The Avalanche acquired Wedgewood from Nashville for Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick in 2025.
• The Devils traded Wedgewood to Arizona in 2017 for a fifth-round pick, re-signed him in 2020, then lost him on waivers in 2021.
• Wedgewood's former team, the Devils, struggled with goalie depth in 2021-22, using Andrew Hammond and Jon Gillies extensively.

A Late Bloomer Between the Pipes

At 33 years old, Scott Wedgewood is experiencing a career renaissance that few could have predicted. The Colorado Avalanche goaltender, who started his first career playoff game this spring, has become an indispensable force on one of the NHL's deepest teams. After sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in four games — capped by a 5-1 victory on Sunday night that sent Anze Kopitar into retirement — Wedgewood's numbers are staggering: a 1.21 goals-against average and a.950 save percentage. His emergence has reshuffled the Avalanche's crease hierarchy. Wedgewood has supplanted MacKenzie Blackwood, his former teammate with the New Jersey Devils, as the team's No. 1 option. The move paid immediate dividends in the first round, where Wedgewood's calm, steady play gave Colorado a decisive edge.

From Journeyman to Playoff Hero

Wedgewood's path to playoff prominence was anything but linear. Drafted by the Devils in the third round in 2010, he bounced between organizations for over a decade. The Devils traded him to Arizona on Oct. 28, 2017, for a 2018 fifth-round pick, then re-signed him as a free agent on Oct. 11, 2020. He went 3-8-3 in 16 games for New Jersey in 2020-21, with a 3.11 GAA and.900 save percentage — respectable numbers on a struggling team. Arizona claimed Wedgewood off waivers from the Devils on Nov. 4, 2021, and he subsequently established himself as one of the NHL's best backup goalies during stints with the Coyotes and the Dallas Stars. But it was his trade to Colorado last year — from Nashville for Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick — that unlocked his full potential.

A Career Year in the Mile High City

In his first full season with the Avalanche, Wedgewood posted a 31-6-6 record, setting career highs in games played, starts, and wins. His 2.02 GAA and.921 save percentage, along with four shutouts, placed him among the league's elite goaltenders. The Avalanche, already boasting stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, now have a goaltender performing at an MVP level. Coach Jared Bednar has publicly expressed confidence in his goaltending room, a sentiment reinforced by the team's 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of the second round. Wedgewood was in net for that win, and Bednar confirmed he would guard the goal again in Game 2.

The Devils' Lingering Regret

For the New Jersey Devils, Wedgewood's success is a painful reminder of what might have been. The team, which is now facing its own goaltending decisions in the 2026 offseason, lost Wedgewood for nothing when he was claimed off waivers in 2021. The immediate consequences were severe: in 2021-22, the Devils were forced to rely on Andrew Hammond (7 games) and Jon Gillies (19 games), while rookie Nico Daws started 23 games — a heavy burden for an inexperienced netminder. Current Devils goalies Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen are both aging and on the downswing, particularly Markstrom. The organization has since installed Sunny Mehta in a new leadership role, hoping to avoid such near-sighted roster mistakes in the future.

The Stakes Ahead: Wedgewood vs. Wallstedt

The Western Conference Second Round pits Wedgewood against Minnesota Wild rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, creating a compelling goaltending duel. Wedgewood, at 33, is playing the best hockey of his career, while Wallstedt represents the next generation. The Avalanche's high-octane offense, which erupted for nine goals in Game 1, will test Wallstedt's poise. For Wedgewood, the opportunity is historic. After years as a career backup, he is now the backbone of a Stanley Cup contender. His performance in this series could define his legacy and determine how far the Avalanche advance.

A Testament to Perseverance

Wedgewood's journey from a third-round pick to a playoff starter is a testament to perseverance and the value of opportunity. The Avalanche, who acquired him for a modest price, have reaped enormous rewards. As the Devils scramble to solve their goaltending puzzle, Wedgewood stands as a cautionary tale about the cost of letting talent slip away. With each save, Wedgewood writes a new chapter in his unlikely story. For Colorado, his rise could be the missing piece in a championship puzzle that already includes some of the game's brightest stars.

The bottom line

• Scott Wedgewood, at 33, has become the Avalanche's No. 1 goalie after a career regular season (31-6-6, 2.02 GAA,.921 SV%) and a dominant first round (4-0, 1.21 GAA,.950 SV%).
• The Avalanche acquired Wedgewood from Nashville for Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick, a trade that now looks like a steal.
• Wedgewood's former team, the New Jersey Devils, have struggled with goaltending depth since losing him on waivers in 2021.
• The second-round matchup against Minnesota features a goalie duel between Wedgewood and rookie Jesper Wallstedt.
• Wedgewood's playoff emergence adds a new dimension to a Colorado team already loaded with offensive stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar.