Home Denver News Analysis: Pavel Francouz appears to be the Avalanche’s No. 2 goalie, but...

Analysis: Pavel Francouz appears to be the Avalanche’s No. 2 goalie, but …

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Pavel Francouz, an American Hockey League all-star with the Colorado Eagles last year, will start his next year in North America with a fresh $950,000 one-year, fully guaranteed contract which indicates he will function as Philipp Grubauer‘s copy when the Avalanche begins its 24th NHL period in October.

However, the situation is ambiguous.

Francouz, despite being 29 years old, has played just two career NHL games — both last year with the Avs if Grubauer and former No. 1 Semyon Varlamov weren’t available. Colorado signed the Czech Republic-born Francouz from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League for a modest $690,000 guaranteed salary May 2, 2018, and so far, the undrafted, undersized (6-foot) and unusual right-catching goalie was a good find.

However, it’so complicated. The Avs might decide to signal an NHL veteran as its copy through free agency July 1 — including Varlamov, who probably will make far less than the $5.9 million he received in each of the previous five seasons with the Avs in his next contract. Varlamov, but never was known as a “backup-type” and Colorado appears destined to part ways with all the 2014 Vezina Trophy finalist who might grow to be a starter in his indigenous KHL.

Other available unrestricted free agents include people who will command a $6-million-plus salary and promises of being the No. 1 man, that isn’will occur given Grubauer’s late-season drama that assembled trust with the Avs. Make no mistake, Colorado won’t go after Sergei Bobrovsky, Robin Lehner or even Petr Mrazek — top three UFA goalies 30-under who are searching for No. 1A money.

RELATED: Projecting the Colorado Avalanche 2019-20 roster. What free agents leave? Who would the Avs signal in their place?

Colorado is much far more inclined to signal former Colorado College star Curtis McElhinney, 36, or Varlamov’s former copy together with the Avs, Calvin Pickard, 27, to function in the clear-cut No. 2 job under Grubauer.

However, this scenario leads back to Francouz. If the Avs didn’t think he’s ready to become Grubauer’s capable backup, why offer him a guaranteed deal just south of $1 million? And provided that the Avs signed 2016 fifth-round draft pick Adam Werner on May 13, the AHL spot Francouz formerly held is available for the 22-year-old Swede who put up enormous numbers in the Swedish Hockey League last year.

The Avs additionally have Spencer Martin, a restricted free agent who’s coming off a modest one-year, $650,000 contract which paid him only $85,000 while in the minors. Colorado selected Martin, 24, in the next round the 2013 draft, but he’s played only four career games in the NHL along with the Avs might not make him a qualifying offer since a RFA last month, that will cause him an UFA July 1.

If Colorado ends its union by Martin, it is going to locate an adequate alternative around exactly the exact identical cost to associate together with Werner.

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Drafting a goalie is an alternative, however 18-year-olds playing that place generally require at least two years of development after their chosen, which means the Avs won’t find Grubauer’s copy in the June 21-22 draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

They could discover Francouz’s ultimate substitute as Grubauer’s copy and/or successor when they devout their next pick of the first round, No. 16 total, to Spencer Knight — the top-rated goalie in the draft who will likely develop into the first top-20 pick because Tampa Bay selected Andrei Vasilevskiy in No. 19 in 2012.

Knight, 6-foot-4 and 193 pounds, is a surefire future NHLer in the U.S. National Development Program. The Boston College signee may grow well for the Avs and be the alternative.

For the time being, Grubauer and Francouz seem to be Colorado’s tandem that is favored.

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