Seattle Kraken News

The Avalanche signed Philipp Grubauer to a three-year deal worth $10.0M ($3.33M AAV).

Grubauer was acquired from the Capitals on Friday and signs with the Avalanche, where he figures to start the season as Semyon Varlamov’s backup. Grubauer has played in more than 20 games in each of the last three seasons and ranks tied for first in GAA (2.25) and tied for third in SV% (.923) among goalies with at least 60 games played over that span.

Philipp Grubauer
The Avalanche have acquired Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik from the Capitals for the No.47 overall pick.

Grubauer is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st and is expected to be Semyon Varlamov’s backup in 2019. Grubauer was 15-10-3 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and three shutouts in 35 games with the Capitals last season. Grubauer even started the first two games of the playoffs before Braden Holtby took his job back in Game 3 vs. the Blue Jackets.

Philipp Grubauer
The Blackhawks signed John Hayden to a two-year contract extension last Friday.

Hayden, 23, was a third-round pick (No.74 overall) in 2013 and turned pro after his senior season at Yale University in 2017. Last year he split his season between the AHL and NHL—picking up 17 points (5G / 12A) in 24 games with Rockford and 13 points (4G / 9A) in 47 games with Chicago. Hayden is a physical winger with some skill who should be in Blackhawks’ bottom-6 this fall.

John Hayden
Murray will start Game 1 vs. the Flyers.

Murray missed a month in late-February/early-March with a concussion, but returned to go 4-3-1 with a 3.38 GAA and .898 SV% in eight games down the stretch. Murray had a down year, but has been ridiculous in the playoffs over the last two years. The 23-year-old is 22-9 with a 1.95 GAA, .928 SV% and four shutouts in 32 career playoff starts. If he can re-gain that form, the Penguins could win a third straight Stanley Cup.

Matt Murray