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| Giguere signs extension with Avs |
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| Northwest |
| Written by Mike Cook |
| Tuesday, 14 August 2012 12:51 |
The Colorado Avalanche made big strides this off season, bringing in John Mitchell and P.A. Parenteau up front and veteran defender Greg Zanon. They continued their improvement on Monday, signing goaltender Jean-Sebastian Giguere to a one-year contract extension. Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastian Giguere gave the Colorado Avalanche something that had been missing for a few seasons: consistent, quality goaltending.By signing Giguere to a one-year extension Monday, both are guaranteed to be in Denver through the 2013-14 season. The deal is reportedly for $1.5 million. “J.S. provided leadership, stability and a veteran presence to our team last season,” Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman said in a statement. “He helped solidify our goaltending position and we are pleased to have J.S. under contract for the next two seasons.” Giguere, 35, backstopped Anaheim to the Stanley Cup in 2007, before bottoming out with the Ducks and struggling in Toronto for next one-and-a-half seasons. He signed with the Avalanche on July 1, 2011, to be Varlamov's backup, posted a 15-11-3 record with a 2.27 goals-against average – ninth best in the league – and a .919 save percentage in 32 games last season. His GAA and save percentage were the best by a Colorado netminder since David Aebischer in 2003-04. (Watch his top five saves from last season.) Giguere has a 246-206-70 career record with a 2.52 GAA, .913 save percentage and 36 shutouts. By playing a reduced role, he should be an effective goaltender for the  Avalanche for the length of his deal.He was widely credited last season for playing the mentor role to Varlamov, 24. That was especially true during a rough middle part of the season when weighty expectations appeared to be getting to the younger netminder, who was acquired before last season for a first- and second-round draft pick. Giguere’s signing also keeps a strong, successful veteran leader around the locker room as the young Avalanche look to make the move to playoff contender. NOTES Calgary’s Curtis Glencross is aiming for 30 goals and 30 assists this season. … Denver Post columnist Mike Chambers thinks its “crazy” that Avalanche C Ryan O’Reilly remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. … Edmonton C Taylor Hall told the Edmonton Sun that he should be ready for the scheduled start to the upcoming season. Entering his third campaign, Hall missed the final couple of weeks last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He also missed 15 games earlier in the year with various ailments. A broken ankle ended his rookie season 17 games early. … Minnesota is less than $2 million from a $70.2 million salary-cap ceiling. However, GM Chuck Fletcher told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he isn’t yet planning to trade contracts for draft picks to get more breathing room. … According to his agent, Canucks second-line C Ryan Kesler is likely out until December after offseason shoulder and wrist surgery. “Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how we handle those setbacks,” Kesler tweeted Aug. 7. … Vancouver signed 2012 first-round draft pick Brendan Gaunce to an entry-level contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound center went a team-leading 28-40-68 with 68 penalty minutes in 68 games with Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League in 2011-12. Photos by Getty Images
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 August 2012 17:05 |
