G Calvin Pickard heads back to Cleveland

The Avalanche announced today that G Calvin Pickard has been sent back to the Lake Erie Monsters, presumably in preparation for the return of Semyon Varlamov off IR. Based on this, it's clear that Reto Berra will remain the team's back up goaltender, putting out all flames of goalie controversy that have been crackling the past few games.

Pickard put up an impressive showing, putting up a .922 on the saves and 2.49 on the goals against. He was thrown into the fire a couple of times, coming in as relief for the struggling Berra. But the reality is he's still young and could use more development. While he'd get better coaching in Colorado, he'll get the minutes in Ohio. Moreover, moving Berra means exposing him to waivers or taking a low, low draft pick on a trade (IF the team found a willing trade partner at all).

It's unlikely this is the last we'll see of the young netminder donning the swooshing A on his jersey. He certainly proved he can hang with the big club.