Colorado Avalanche sign Philipp Grubauer to a contract extension

A day after the Colorado Avalanche traded their second round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry draft for netminder Philipp Grubauer, the team has announced they have signed the 26-year old to a three year contract extension worth a total of $10 million. That’s an average-annual value of of just over $3.3 million.

The Rosenheim, Germany, native posted a 15-10-3 regular-season record, 2.35 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and three shutouts on his way to winning a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals.

“He’s a winner, and that is always important,” Joe Sakic told the media after the trade. “He was in the dressing room and went through a grind. With a group, you don’t win the Stanley Cup unless you are a part of a close team that believes and knows how to win in the playoffs. He had a huge part in getting them to the playoffs the last two years. Two really good years. I know as a backup role, but I think we all feel that he is ready to take the next step and become a No. 1. We’re excited to have two No. 1s.”

One way to keep Semyon Varlamov healthy is to keep him fresh. Having a 1a/1b situation in net will allow Varly to rest a lot more - something Sakic clearly took into consideration when making the move, “I don’t know in today’s game that you can have a goalie play 65-70 games. You want to give them rest.”

The Avalanche goaltenders will count for a combined $9.23 million against the cap next season before Varlamov becomes a free agent.

Most fans wanted and expected the Avs to take a goaltender early in this year’s draft, but Sakic had a plan to address the need more immediately.

The Grubauer trade was just the first step in a total overhaul of the team’s goalie depth chart this weekend. A day after the trade, the Avalanche selected Justus Annunen and Shamil Shmakov in the third and seventh round respectively.