The Avalanche’s second move ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline was acquiring a backup goalie, and the club did just that in adding pending unrestricted free agent Michael Hutchinson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Hutchinson, 29, was acquired for Colorado Eagles defenseman Calle Rosen, the former Maple Leaf who came to Colorado in a July 1 trade between the teams. Rosen, 26, played just eight games with the Avs this season.
The 6-foot-3 Hutchinson will serve as backup to Pavel Francouz, who began the season as the Avs’ No. 2 goalie behind Philipp Grubauer. Grubauer is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury and Francouz has shined in net before and after his injury.