Pavel a star in shootouts
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar suggested that goalie Philipp Grubauer will get about 55 starts this season, leaving some 27 for backup Pavel Francouz.
In games that go into a shootout, the Avs might have more success with the backup, given that Francouz is one of those rare right-catching goalies who forces shooters to think twice about which move to make.
“He’s lights-out in shootouts,” said Avs forward Sheldon Dries, who played with Francouz with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League last season.
Most NHL goalies catch with their left hand and hold the stick with the right. The Czechoslovakia-born Francouz does the opposite and is believed to be the Avalanche’s first right-catching goalie since Jose Theodore (2006-08).
The shortlist of hockey’s best all-time right-catching goalies begins with Tony Esposito and Grant Fuhr.
The 6-foot Francouz throws, catches and plays golf right-handed but said he writes and eats soup with his left — while holding a knife with his right.
“If I go to play badminton or squash, I can use both hands, so I can (be ambidextrous),” he said after Day 3 of Avalanche training camp Sunday.
In 14 shootout attempts last season with the Eagles, Francouz allowed just two goals. He was named an AHL all-star but didn’t participate in the game because of injury.
“Some guys, they don’t like that I’m the opposite. But I don’t think there is any advantage on my side, the (shooter’s) side (in non-shootouts),” he said. “In the shootout it can make a difference, because most of the players practice against the left-handed goalies and they have their moves prepared. That could make a difference.”
Dries said it makes a big difference. He likes to shoot five-hole (between the legs) but says right-catching goalies take that away from guys who shoot left because of where the goalie’s stick is positioned.
“As lefties against a normal-stance goalie, coming in on the left side the five-hole is open. Against (Francouz), it’s not,” Dries said. “So you have to kind of change up your tactics. He’s lights-out in shootouts. It’s not easy to beat him.”
Francouz, 29, is beginning his second season in North America. He signed a oneyear, $690,000 contract with the Avs as an undrafted free agent before the 2018-19 season. He was playing in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
Francouz, who goes by “Frankie” in the locker room, signed another one-year deal with Colorado in May ($950,000). He replaces Semyon Varlamov, who signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the New York Islanders on July 1.
Francouz is enjoying his second NHL training camp — particularly because he knows the team expects him to be with the Avs all season. He played in just two games with the Avs last year.
“It’s been good. It’s fun. It’s hockey,” Francouz said of the camp. “Good practices, good skates. It’s been a great time. Even last year I was happy I was here, but this year is better.”
Footnotes.
Avs defenseman Nikita Zadorov was injured in Sunday’s second on-ice session. Bednar was not aware of the severity of the injury. … Free-agent addition Valeri Nichushkin joined the on-ice portion of camp and wore No. 13. The Russian was late to report because of visa issues. … Colorado has its fourth and final twogroup camp sessions Monday before making cuts and reassignments ahead of Tuesday’s preseason opener against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. The Avs are carrying 57 players (32 forwards, 20 defensemen and five goaltenders), with the majority of those players destined to become Eagles or reassigned to their major-junior teams.