Avs make clear Francouz is the guy
The playoff-bound Avalanche must really believe in NHL-inexperienced goalie Pavel Francouz and its forward depth. After all, the team made just two modest moves before Monday’s trade deadline.
And the Avs either changed their minds on trading young forward Tyson Jost or couldn’t get an adequate return for their 2016 firstround draft pick (10th overall).
In the end, Colorado only did what it had to do.
The Avs added two “rentals” in forward Vladislav Namestnikov and goalie Michael Hutchinson, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents July 1. The total cost of those players: A 2021 fourth-round draft pick (Namestnikov) and minor-league defenseman Calle Rosen (Hutchinson).
Namestnikov, 27, will be asked to dull the pain of injuries to key forwards Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri and Matt Calvert. And Hutchinson, 29, is the clearcut backup goalie until Philipp Grubauer — out indefinitely with a lower-body injury — returns to try to take back his job from Francouz.
For now, Francouz has unequivocally been anointed the No. 1 guy for the stretch run, and probably into the playoffs if he can sustain his recent play. “Frankie” was
named the NHL’s first star of the week Monday after going 3-0-1 with a 1.46 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in four games.
Francouz, 29, is in his first full NHL season and he sees eye-toeye with anyone who stands 5foot-10. But he has significant big-game international experience and he’s quicker than a frightened cat.
Most important, his teammates love him and his coaches believe he can lead the team in the playoffs. Among the NHL’s best goalies statistically, the
Czech Republic native stands fifth in GAA (2.27) and SP (.927).
If the Avs didn’t think that highly of Francouz, they would have traded for a proven starter — and a bunch of them were available Monday. But they settled on the 6-foot-3 Hutchinson, who will gladly accept an NHL backup role and only has to be paid what’s left of his modest $700,000 salary.
As for Namestnikov, who has a $4 million cap hit, he becomes the Avs’ fourth Russian and might slot into a top-six role until Rantanen and Kadri return. When those guys do return, he’ll probably add some scoring to the bottom six — and likely make Jost the odd man out of the lineup with everyone healthy.
For now, Avs general manager Joe Sakic and his staff believe this team will further prove it can win without a handful of key injuries, and when they’re close to full strength, they can win the Stanley Cup with what they have.
The Avalanche got better Monday and sacrificed next to nothing — save for Jost’s pride.
Footnotes. The Avs had Monday off but will practice Tuesday when Sakic will speak to the media about the trade deadline and more. … Goalie Hunter Miska has been reassigned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.