Mile High Sticking
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Colorado Avalanche should stick with Francouz as backup

By Graham Tiedtke

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 23: Pavel Francouz #39 of the Colorado Avalanche takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Avalanche defeated the Golden Knights 7-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 23: Pavel Francouz #39 of the Colorado Avalanche takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Avalanche defeated the Golden Knights 7-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Despite a rumour out in the hockey world, the Colorado Avalanche should keep goaltender Pavel Francouz on the team.

While the Colorado Avalanche willingly let goaltender Darcy Kuemper leave for the Washington Capitals in free agency, they opted to trade for Alexandar Georgiev and extend him to a three-year contract worth $3.4 million annually.

Where does that leave Pavel Francouz?

In my opinion, signs are pointing toward Francouz sticking on the team, although Bleacher Report  suggests that the Avalanche could trade him away in favour of Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens.

It appears that Georgiev is likely to be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche for the most part, but it is still absolutely crucial to have two reliable goalies.

Here are some reasons I don’t necessarily care for the idea:

  • Allen’s current deal pays him $2.875 million in a year, while Francouz is being paid $2 million.
  • The Avalanche know Francouz. While Allen has had stretches of solid play during his career, I’m not sure that it makes sense to trade Francouz for a guy who could play well but could also be terrible.
  • As for Francouz potentially wanting a starting gig somewhere else, sure, that does make sense. The whole point of being in the NHL is to be a contributing factor on a team. However, would he trade being on a team that just won a Stanley Cup for a team looking for a goaltender? It certainly is possible that he would prioritize that, as well as money to being on the Stanley Cup Champions. It also is possible that Georgiev has bad stretches which would cause the Avalanche to put Francouz in net for a handful of games.
  • I do not think the Avalanche are unimpressed with Francouz to where they would consider this move. At the end of the day, I think that they are content with their current goaltender situation.

It may be smart for Allen to be traded to the Avalanche, because of the change in overall team. He could absolutely flourish in Colorado. Keyword: could.

While Full Press Hockey does make a point about the difference in overall experience between Francouz and Allen, I don’t think there should be major urgency in making this type of move.

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