It's starting to seem like there's a new name coming out of Colorado who could potentially be dealt by the Avalanche and GM Joe Sakic. First, it was Matt Duchene. Then it was Tyson Barrie. Now, it's goaltender Semyon Varlamov. According to a report from Frank Seravalli of TSN, the Avalanche are "fielding offers" on Varlamov.
Reto Berra, 28, is, as Seravalli notes, expected to make his fifth-straight start on Tuesday. He currently leads the NHL in save percentage (.953) and goals-against average (1.50) with a minimum of seven starts. But it's not just Berra's performance that has the Avs thinking deal.
"Colorado is high on Calvin Pickard, 23, who had a .932 save percentage in 16 NHL games last year," Seravalli reports.
Varlamov, 27, is an expensive veteran struggling to find his game this season. He's been dealing with a groin injury, which could certainly account for some, if not all, of his issues in 2015-16, but considering he has three years at $5.9 million per season remaining on his current deal, it makes sense that the Avs and Sakic would consider sending him elsewhere in exchange for a younger, less expensive, more effective option.
Varlamov remains on injured reserve, at least until Tuesday, so Patrick Roy and Sakic have some flexibility. And his absence allowed the Avs to claim Chris Wagner off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks, a player that was highly sought after, according to Seravalli's report.
But for the Avs, if Pickard is viewed as the long-term answer and Berra represents a strong short-term answer, dealing Varlamov, a guy now two years removed from a 41-win season that looks increasingly like a fluke, may make the most sense.
