NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche and the Search for a Backup Goaltender

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Originally published by NHLRumors.com

The Colorado Avalanche looking to help Philipp Grubauer 

Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey NOW:  Colorado does not want to gas their starting goaltender before the playoffs. However, with Pavel Francouz appearing not to be able to return anytime soon, the trade route is becoming more likely for help. One candidate could possibly be David Rittich.

The problems with Rittich are many. For one, he appears happy in Calgary. Second, his play is inconsistent, to say the least. A short-term stay benefits both teams but Rittich would clearly be a rental and little more. How much is Colorado willing to pay for a goaltender for a month essentially? Wait, make that a bit less than four weeks due to the seven-day quarantine rule.

Now, that adds to the complexity of the math here.

What other options exist to help back up Philipp Grubauer?

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post (mailbag):  Again, the question begs itself for an answer. Hunter Miska was not the answer. The stopgap of a former Buffalo Sabres goaltender clearly is not the answer. So, what is for Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche? Philipp Grubauer will be mentally and physically exhausted if they do not find one soon.

Ryan Miller is an option from the Anaheim Ducks but he is approaching 41 and has shown his age more this year than even last season. Options are limited but he is affordable and could benefit from a faster, more mobile defense in Colorado.

The question becomes what is the best fit. Miller would not need a seven-day quarantine and that would be the angle that Joe Sakic looks at. He must find a solution for now and not a week from today even.

Now, there is one wrinkle and that is this. Is Pavel Francouz out until training camp next season or longer? That might influence Sakic’s decision a bit. No one knows that just yet.