Avalanche address needs

DP · Jul 2, 2011

Avalanche.com

On the first day of free agency, the Colorado Avalanche made some noise in an attempt to climb back into the playoff picture following a disappointing 2010-11 season. The Avs traded for the rights to Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov, and also inked free agent defenseman Jan Hejda to a four-year, $13.5 million deal.

Colorado parted with its 2012 first-round draft pick and a conditional second-rounder to get Varlamov, a restricted free agent.

The Avalanche finished the 2010-11 season with the second-worst record in the NHL, and as a result held the second pick in this year's Entry Draft. General Manager Greg Sherman seems more confident in his team for the upcoming season, and as a result felt the 2012 first-round pick was expendable to shore up the goaltending position.

"In Semyon Varlamov we are acquiring a highly touted NHL goaltender," Sherman said in a press release. "At 23 years old, he is regarded as a solid and talented netminder by our staff. We definitely feel we have addressed our top priority this offseason and for many years to come."

After playing in 27 games with Washington last season, Varlamov had been rumored to be heading to the Kontinental Hockey League. For now, it appears as if Varlamov will stay in the NHL, as the two-year veteran projects to be Colorado's No. 1 goaltender.

Last season Colorado began the year with Craig Anderson as its starting netminder but traded him to Ottawa in February for goaltender Brian Elliott. As a team, the Avalanche gave up an NHL worst 3.50 goals per game. Second worst in the NHL was Atlanta, which gave up 3.20 goals per game. The Detroit Red Wings gave up the most goals per game for a team which made the playoffs, averaging 2.89 against during the regular season.
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Avalanche address needs

DP He shoots, he scores!

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Avalanche address needs

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