2011 NHL Free Agency Thread

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

http://www.nhl.com/ice/newsindex.htm...reeagents/2011

Capitals trade Varlamov's rights to Avalanche
Friday, 07.01.2011 / 2:00 PM / NHL Free Agency 2011
NHL.com
The Washington Capitals have traded the rights to restricted free agent goaltender Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche for a first-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft and second-round selection in either 2012 or 2013.

Varlamov was a first-round pick in 2006 and has competed with Michal Neuvirth, a second-round choice in the same draft, for the "goaltender of the future" tag in Washington ever since. The 23-year-old Russian goaltender has appeared in 59 regular-season games and 19 postseason contests for the Capitals.

He replaced Jose Theodore in net for Washington during the 2009 and 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but missed a large portion of the 2010-11 campaign because of injury. With Theodore gone, Varlamov and Neuvirth were competing for the starting job, and it was Neuvirth who played every minute during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Capitals.

Damn. The AVS gave up a ton to get that kid. The 2012 draft is supposed to be one of the deepest drafts in awhile and the Avs are expected to be better, but still not great.

The Blues gave up Eller last season to get Halak. Halak has a better playoff track record and most will say that Halak is probably a slightly more valuable player (if a little older). Don't forget - Halak beat Varlamov in the game 7 showdown. Eller doesn't have the value of a 2012 first rounder, I'm virtually certain of that. Let alone the 2nd rounder thrown in.

I think the Avs overpaid a little here.