Colorado Avalanche Goaltender Semyon Varlamov Wants To Lead Avs To The Stanley Cup Finals
By Andrew Dill
Apr 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) warms up in net before the game against the Minnesota Wild of game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
With the National League Hockey season set to begin in a little over a month, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has one goal this season; ‘I want to try to lead my team to the final’. It’s about time we received some hockey news, right?
Varlamov, 26, noted that he had a shaky spring and didn’t deliver. The Avs’ would wind up losing to the Minnesota Wild in a fantastic seven-game series where Varlamov posted just a .913 save percentage. The 2014 Vezina Trophy runner-up posted a .927 save percentage during 63 regular season games, helping the Avalanche clinch a Central Division title.
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I like Varlamov owning up to his play during the playoffs but it wasn’t necessarily all on him. The team failed to show up on the road in Minnesota, letting the crowd and atmosphere get the best of them. Varly would also say he hopes the team can repeat their 2013-14′ season and get back to the playoffs. He will be a key part of the team in years to come after signing a five-year contract extension last January worth upward to $29.5 million.
Colorado did lose Paul Stastny to free-agency but picked up veterans at key positions where they lacked depth last season. Jarome Iginla (Boston), Brad Stuart (San Jose), Daniel Briere (Montreal), and Jesse Winchester (Florida) were key FA pick-ups which will help Colorado not only down the stretch but with leadership. Not to mention, Colorado will be getting back Alex Tanguay who dealt with knee and hip injuries most of the season.