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The accidents proceed for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz, who will be out three to four weeks with a lower-body challenge. Francouz missed all of final season and has performed simply 36 regular-season video games since signing with the Avalanche in 2018. The crew additionally introduced that head coach Jared Bednar has examined constructive for COVID-19 and can miss the team’s remaining two preseason games. In his absence, assistant coaches Ray Bennett and Nolan Pratt will take over.
Whereas dropping the pinnacle coach is a giant blow, it’s Francouz’s absence that’s the actual headline for the Avalanche. The backup goaltender was anticipated to hold a gradual load this season to assist new starter Darcy Kuemper keep wholesome and contemporary, however he’ll now as soon as once more be out to begin the yr. When he’s been wholesome sufficient to play, Francouz has been excellent, posting a .923 save proportion in these 36 appearances. Sadly, he hasn’t been obtainable to the crew once they’ve wanted him most and is now out of the image.
One constructive is the sturdy goaltending depth that the crew has constructed, with Hunter Miska and Jonas Johansson within the system. Even past them, Justus Annunen sits within the minor leagues as the long run on the place, although he has performed solely three video games on the AHL stage thus far. There’ll doubtless be a chance for Colorado to assert one other goaltender off waivers within the coming days as nicely in the event that they select to, as groups attempt to slide their third-string choices all the way down to the minor leagues.
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