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Colorado Avalanche backup goaltenders need to step up

By Graham Tiedtke

Oct 3, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Craig Smith (15) attempts to direct the puck past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen (60) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Craig Smith (15) attempts to direct the puck past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen (60) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz has been out because of an adductor injury that required surgery. It has been unknown what Francouz’s timeline would end up being but he was going to miss an extended period of time. Starter Alexandar Georgiev has started the first four games of the 2023-24 season, going undefeated during that stretch.

It’s possible that Francouz misses the entire season, as head coach Jared Bednar did not rule that possibility out on Friday.

Last season, Georgiev started 62 of 82 games, winning 40 of them, which is remarkable. Ideally, however, teams need a very reliable backup. Right now, I’m not sure whether or not they have what it takes behind Georgiev.

The inexperience behind Georgiev concerns me a great deal. When it comes to Annunen, you have a guy who has played in just four games over the last two seasons, starting three of them. He went 2-1 in those games but had a goals-against average of 4.34 and 3.58.

Ivan Prosvetov, who the Colorado Avalanche claimed off waivers a short time ago, has played in 13 career games in the NHL, starting 11 and going 4-6-0-1 with the Arizona Coyotes.

When whichever goaltender is in the net in place of Georgiev this season, the skaters need to play for those guys in the net. The last thing that the team needs is to have some poor play upfront and force the backup goalies to have to stop some impossible shots.

Do I think that is going to happen? No, not necessarily. Is it possible? Absolutely. This team has played outstanding so far this season but, as is every team, they are bound to have a couple of off games.

It’s also possible that if the Avalanche aren’t entirely confident in Prosvetov and Annunen, they start Georgiev in the net a couple of more games than they normally would have. That, of course, is not the ideal scenario. If they end up being in the playoffs before the regular season ends, you’d maybe want to have the less-experienced goalie play a couple of games at the end of the year to keep Georgiev fresh but to also see what you have in that other guy.

Francouz’s future with the Colorado Avalanche is unknown right now, as he’s set to become a free agent after this season.

All that being said, hopefully, Francouz does not actually miss the entire 2023-24 season.

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