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NHL free agency: Colorado Avalanche sign Calvin Pickard to two-year deal

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 20, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) looks for the puck along the boards during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) looks for the puck along the boards during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche have signed restricted free agent goaltender Calvin Pickard to a two-year deal. 

In an interesting move that could have future ramifications, the Colorado Avalanche have signed restricted free agent goaltender Calvin Pickard to a two-year deal. The deal is reported to be worth $2 million total so Pickard will have a cap hit of $1 million each season.

Pickard is expected to serve as the backup goaltender of the Avalanche after the team traded Reto Berra to the Florida Panthers.

From NHL.com:

"Pickard, 24, split this past season between the Avalanche and the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio. He posted a 7-6-1 record with a 2.56 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and one shutout in 20 games (13 starts) with the Avs. The Moncton, New Brunswick, native fashioned a 9-8-4 record with a 2.75 goals-against average, one shutout and .917 save percentage in 21 appearances for the San Antonio Rampage."

He has been quite promising. In 36 NHL appearances, he has a save percentage of .927. This could affect the Avalanche’s plans for the expansion draft. Teams are only allowed to protect one goaltender. Could the Avalanche be interested in protecting Pickard over current starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov?

Varlamov has been very solid for the Avalanche, but his contract includes a $5.9 million cap hit. His save percentage slipped in 2015-16 to .914, his lowest since the lockout shortened 2012-13 season. Pickard has to be a pretty attractive option for the Avalanche, especially at his very reasonable price.

For more NHL free agency coverage, check out our NHL hub page

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