Avalanche trades for Ottawa’s Kevin Mandolese, adding goaltending depth to roster

The Colorado Avalanche added goaltender depth Monday, acquiring the rights to Kevin Mandolese in a deal with the Ottawa Senators that also included a draft pick swap.

Mandolese, a restricted free agent, briefly appeared on the Senators’ roster last season but did not play a game. His lone NHL experience came in 2022-23 when he went 1-2-0 with a .916 save percentage and 3.29 goals-against average.

Most of the 23-year-old Canadian’s professional experience has come with the Belleville Senators in the AHL. He played in 23 games this past season, posting a 10-9-2 record with a .901 save percentage and 3.07 goals-against average. Over four years with Belleville, he’s 28-28-5 with a .896 save percentage and 3.30 goal-against average over 66 appearances.

As part of the deal announced by the team Monday, the Avs sent a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft to Ottawa in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the same draft.

Mandolese was drafted by the Senators in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2018 draft.

It is likely he will compete with Trent Miner for playing time with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. Alexandar Georgiev remains the Avs’ top option in net with Justus Annunen his backup.

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