Avalanche's Ilya Nabokov: Agrees to entry-level contract

Nabokov signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche on Friday.

Nabokov had a 2.22 GAA and a .923 save percentage across 49 regular-season KHL outings with Magnitogorsk in 2024-25. The Avalanche selected him with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Nabokov is worth keeping an eye on, but Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports the goalie will be loaned back to Magnitogorsk for 2025-26 and will make his North American debut when the KHL season ends. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood are slated to begin next season as the goaltenders on Colorado's roster.