By Jordan Long
The Colorado Avalanche will have decisions to make on goaltenders Devan Dubnyk and starter Philipp Grubauer. Both are unrestricted free agents and can potentially sign with another team. Colorado could have options in the free agent goaltender market.
Dubnyk was traded to Colorado from San Jose. Colorado probably won’t agree to a new contract with Dubnyk. He didn’t play that much, appearing in 5 games for Colorado. He struggled at times to stop the puck from entering the net. Dubnyk didn’t always cover the puck allowing rebounds which were easy goals. His record was 3-2 with a save percentage of .886 and a goals against average of 3.26. He didn’t appear in any of Colorado’s playoff games. Colorado is better off letting him test free agency. He proved he couldn’t be the backup. Colorado may keep him only because it could cost them around $2.5 million. There are other options for them.
Colorado would like to keep starter Philipp Grubauer. He is one of the finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the NHL for his play in the regular season. Grubauer was an impressive 30-9-1 for the Avalanche. He saw the puck well and didn’t allow many rebound chances. His goals against average was 1.95 with a save percentage of .922. His play kept the Avalanche in games and helped them win the West Division and the President’s Trophy for the best record in the NHL.
In the playoffs, he wasn’t as sharp. Grubauer gave up soft goals that he probably would have saved in the regular season. He wasn’t seeing the puck as well. He went 6-4 with a goals against average of 2.61. His save percentage was .914. The Avalanche would like to keep him but he may cost more than the $2.750 million he was paid this year. That could be $4 million or $5 million which may price Colorado out.
If Colorado can’t come to an agreement with either goaltender, that leaves Pavel Francouz as the only one on the roster. Francouz didn’t even play this year because he dealt with a lower body injury. The Avalanche have no idea how healthy he is. When Francouz is 100%, he has shown he can help this team win. In his career, Francouz is 21-9-4 with a goals against average of 2.41 and a save percentage of .923.
Colorado might still have to look at free agent goaltenders depending on what happens with Grubauer and Dubnyk. They could sign Tuukka Rask, Frederik Andersen, or James Reimer. Rask went 15-5-2 with Boston with a goals against average of 2.28 and a save percentage of .913. In this years’ postseason, Rask went 6-4 with a goals against average of 2.36 and a save percentage of .919.
Rask might be the top goaltender out there besides Grubauer. He can help a franchise win in the regular season and the playoffs as well. The only problem with Rask is money. He earned $6.5 million this past year which could be a lot for Colorado to take on.
Andersen was with Toronto this year. He went 13-8-3 with a goals against average of 2.96 and a save percentage of .895. Those aren’t great numbers, but his play helped Toronto earn a playoff spot. He didn’t even appear in a playoff game this season. Colorado might be better off staying away from him. There are other goaltenders who could help Colorado make an even deeper run.
James Reimer started 21 games for Carolina. In those contests, he went 15-5-2 with a goals against average of 2.66 and a save percentage of .906. He is not very experienced in postseason play with a combined 11 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes. His record is average at 5-5 with a goals against average of 2.70 and a save percentage of .925.
Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic will do what is best for the franchise moving forward. Goaltender is the most important position for a hockey team. Sakic would like to keep Grubauer or Dubnyk, but only if the price is right. Sakic is determined to help this franchise win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. Hopefully, he can reach an agreement with Grubauer, otherwise he will look for one that can carry this team in free agency.
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