Official: Avalanche sign in another Depth Goalie , and two more in a blockbuster deal.
Even if this is a very little move, general manager Chris MacFarland is already working during the off-season.
Trent Miner, who Colorado selected in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, has been re-signed by the team for a one-year deal that will extend until the 2024–25 season. Miner played in the ECHL for the majority of his professional career before enjoying something of a breakout season with the Colorado Eagles.
In 18 appearances with the Eagles, the 23-year-old goalie went 9-6-1 with a 2.10 goals against average and a.930 save percentage. Quite a small sample size, but still quite remarkable. Since going professional back in 2020, he has played in the AHL for the record 18 times. As the Avalanche’s playoff journey came to an end, Miner was rewarded with a trip to Dallas to play Game Five as the backup goalie.
Ivan Prosvetov, who was the backup goalie during the playoff run, is reportedly leaving to play in the KHL abroad. This summer, Prosvetov will be eligible to sign as a group six unrestricted free agent.
Regarding the KHL, it seems that an additional Avalanche depth goaltender will play in Russia the upcoming season, though it’s possible he won’t be a Colorado resident for very long.
Ivan Zhigalov, the seventh-round pick of Colorado in 2022, is a player who has played for the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk. Their website states that his contract expires on May 31, 2025. For Zhigalov, who was initially scheduled to play in his native Belarus, the previous season was difficult. He split his 2023–24 season between the USHL and NAHL when that contract was dissolved before the season even started. Not exactly encouraging.
Zhigalov’s exclusive rights are owned by the Avalanche through June 1, 2024, but it would surprise me if he signed an NHL contract with the franchise. There’s just so many you can give away, particularly with goaltenders, and he hasn’t really done much to prove he deserves one.
It’s not just Zhigalov who is leaving for foreign shores. Arvid Holm, an unrestricted free agent that the Avalanche signed in the summer, has agreed to a three-year contract with Rogle of the SHL. Holm had a difficult season with the Eagles, going 12 games with a.887 save percentage.
As of right moment, Alexandar Georgiev, Justus Annunen, and Trent Miner appear to be Colorado’s depth chart players. Before the season begins, anticipate the addition of one or two more goalies to that group.
READ MORE:
Where The Avalanche Will Select In The NHL Draft’s First Round
The Colorado Avalanche now know where they will choose in the NHL Draft in June, however it is unclear if they will retain their first-round pick.
The Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Conference Finals after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven on Monday night. The final four positions in the first round of the draft are always occupied by the last four teams remaining in the playoffs. A victory by the Canucks would not have altered Colorado’s first-round selection since they finished higher in the regular season standings than the Avalanche.
