As Mackenzie Blackwood was peeling the tape away from his teal-infused goalie gear inside the very burgundy-and-blue home locker room at Ball Arena, a voice called out from across the room. It was his new partner,

Mackenzie Blackwood joined the Sharks in the midst of a career crossroads. He was once seen as a potential goalie of the future for the New Jersey Devils. And he had some very solid seasons for them early in his career. However, things simply did not work out. And he was eventually traded to San Jose.

Mackenzie Blackwood and Givani Smith are back in San Jose 10 days after the trade that sent them to the Colorado Avalanche

Watching Blackwood, talking to Wedgwood, listening to coach Bednar, there was only one conclusion to draw Thursday: Hope has returned.