Fansided

One player on each NHL team that should be traded

By Jeremy Lambert

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager of the Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin addresses the media prior to the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 7, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager of the Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin addresses the media prior to the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 7, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Goaltender Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche stands ready against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Pepsi Center on December 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Goaltender Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche stands ready against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Pepsi Center on December 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

24. player. 103. . G. Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov

In 2013-14, Semyon Varlamov finished fourth in the Hart voting and second for the Vezina. Since then, he’s been in a downward spiral complete with injury filled seasons. This season, he’s shown flashes of being the goalie he was four years ago, but right when he was hitting his stride, another injury struck.

At 29-years-old, Valramov may be too damaged to be salvageable.

Most teams would be beating down doors to acquire a bonafide number one goalie in the NHL. But Varlamov’s injury history, coupled with his $5.9 million contract make him a tough sell. He’s not quite veteran insurance for a playoff team and he’s too risky for a cellar dweller to build around.

But, if you’re the Colorado Avalanche, you have to find a way out of this contract. Jonathan Bernier has proven to be a number one goaltender on a much cheaper contract. The Avalanche are in no danger of being near the cap ceiling, but getting rid of Varlamov would free up extra space moving forward and make them major players for likes of, oh, let’s say, John Tavares and Carey Price.

As far as possible suitors go, maybe they could talk the Buffalo Sabres into a deal because God knows Robin Lehner isn’t working out. Or maybe the Arizona Coyotes finally decide that they need a decent goaltender if they hope to be competitive.

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Varlamov is unlikely to be moved, but that should not stop the Avalanche for exploring all their options with the goaltender before he gets injured again.

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