The Colorado Avalanche have been actively bolstering their roster this offseason, with their latest move aimed at fortifying their goaltending depth. Following recent acquisitions in free agency, including forward Parker Kelly and defenseman Erik Brannstrom, the Avalanche turned their attention to the Ottawa Senators in a trade designed to enhance their goaltending options at the professional level.
On Monday, Colorado finalized a deal with Ottawa, acquiring 23-year-old goaltender Kevin Mandolese along with a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. In exchange, the Avalanche sent a sixth-round pick in the same draft year to the Senators. Mandolese, currently a restricted free agent, will need a new contract to join the Avalanche. This transaction addresses the need for additional goaltending depth, as Colorado had only three netminders — Alexandar Georgiev, Justus Annunen, and Trent Miner — under NHL contracts prior to this move.
Mandolese brings NHL experience, having appeared in three games during the 2022-23 season. His debut performance in February 2023 made headlines when he made 46 saves on 48 shots to secure a victory against the Islanders. Despite losing his subsequent two starts, Mandolese holds a career NHL record of 1-2. Primarily honing his skills in the American Hockey League over the past four seasons, Mandolese boasts a .896 save percentage and a record of 28-28-5 across 66 AHL appearances. This trade is seen largely as a strategic depth acquisition, providing the Avalanche with a seasoned goaltender capable of supporting their roster needs.
Securing Mandolese’s signature on a contract is anticipated to be a straightforward process, ensuring the Avalanche have a well-rounded goaltending corps with options both in the NHL and AHL. Although Colorado recently drafted three goaltenders in June, their immediate impact on the organization this season remains uncertain, barring any unexpected developments such as the potential addition of Ilya Nabokov once his KHL season concludes.
Overall, the Avalanche’s acquisition of Kevin Mandolese underscores their commitment to reinforcing every facet of their lineup as they gear up for the upcoming NHL season. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising prospects, Colorado aims to maintain competitiveness and strengthen their playoff prospects in the highly competitive Western Conference.
