The Colorado Avalanche have arguably been the most active team in the six day since the NHL free agency opened. The Avs signed defenseman Jan Hejda and center Chuck Kobasew, but the big news has involved goaltending.
Colorado let both Avalanche goalies from last season walk as Peter Budaj signed with the Montreal Canadians and Brian Elliot with the St. Louis Blues, but brought in two new ones. Former Stanley Cup champion Jean-Sebastien Giguere, 34, inked a two year deal worth an undisclosed amount with Colorado on July 1. With “Giggy,” the Avs add a reliable NHL-caliber goalie who can steal some games over the course of the season.
[caption id="attachment_141" align="alignright" width="320" caption="Jean-Sebastien Giguere won the Conn Smyth Award as Playooff MVP in 2003 despite losing to the New Jersey Devils (Photo by David E. Klutho / Sports Illustrated)"]
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While Giguere was a notable pickup, much attention has been focused on Colorado’s acquisition of former Washington goalie Semyon Varlamov. The 23 year old developed through Washington’s system with fellow goaltender Michal Neuvirth before Neuvirth emerged as Washington’s goaltender of the future going 27-12-4 with a .914 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average last season. While Neuvirth emerged as a rookie of the year candidate last season, Varlamov was plagued by groin injuries and knee problems that eventually would require surgery this past March. Varlamov’s most promising flash of potential was during the Capitals’ 2009 playoff run where he won 7 games and recorded 2 shutouts.
[caption id="attachment_140" align="aligncenter" width="498" caption="Newly Acquired Avalanche Goalie Semyon Varlamov (Photo by The Associated Press)"]
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Varlamov is a very talented goalie who at 23, still has plenty of time to develop his game. The price tag however, was considerably high as Colorado surrendered a first and second round pick for his rights (second either in 2012 or 2013). After acquiring his rights, the Avs still had to sign him to a three year contract worth $8.5 million. Greg Sherman gave up a lot to address Colorado’s need in goal, but only time will tell if it was worth it. Varlamov could continue to be bothered by injury for the next few years of his career or he could emerge as one of the hottest goaltenders in the league playing behind the young upstart Avs. Let’s hope it’s the latter.
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