Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Start of camp in jeopardy
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Francouz (groin) is unlikely to be ready for the start of the Avalanche's training camp, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Francouz, projected as Colorado's backup netminder to Alexandar Georgiev, underwent an adductor procedure in May. The report further suggests Francouz may not be ready to open the regular season. Mike Gould of Daily Faceoff reports the Avalanche are exploring the goalie market.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Undergoes adductor procedure
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Francouz had an adductor procedure following Colorado's first-round playoff exit, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Per Boulding, Francouz is "expected to recover here in the near future," according to Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland. It sounds like Francouz should be available for training camp in the fall. The 32-year-old netminder was limited to 16 appearances during the 2022-23 season, going 8-7-1 with a 2.61 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Gets overtime win in return
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Francouz (lower body) stopped 19 of 23 shots in a 5-4 overtime win over Anaheim on Sunday.
Francouz was in net for the first time since Feb. 7 because of the injury. He allowed two goals in each of the second and third periods, leaving the Avalanche down 4-2 at one point. Mikko Rantanen put Colorado within one when he scored midway through the third frame, and Nathan MacKinnon took things over from there, contributing both the game-tying goal and the overtime winner. Francouz has an 8-7-1 record, 2.61 GAA and .915 save percentage in 16 contests this season. The Avalanche have one back-to-back set left versus Winnipeg on Thursday and Nashville on Friday, so Francouz might get one more start before the playoffs.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Expected to start Sunday
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Francouz (lower body) will start in Sunday's road game against Anaheim, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Francouz is still expected to miss Saturday's contest versus LA, but coach Jared Bednar has already marked the goaltender's return date. Francouz, who was last in net Feb. 7, has a 7-7-1 record, 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage in 15 appearances this season. Anaheim's as good a team as any for him to shake off the rust against, given that the Ducks have the 31st-ranked offense with 2.47 goals per game in 2022-23.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Drawing close to return
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Francouz (lower body) is getting close to returning, coach Jared Bednar told Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette on Thursday.
The Avalanche are going to see how Francouz does over the next few days, but if everything goes well, then it might not be too much longer before the goaltender is available. Francouz, who last played Feb. 7, has a 7-7-1 record, 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage in 15 contests this season. When he's ready to return, Colorado might reassign Jonas Johansson to the minors.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: No timetable for return
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Francouz (lower body) isn't expected to return Wednesday versus the Wild.
Francouz has resumed skating, but there's no timetable for his return, per Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. The 32-year-old goaltender has a 7-7-1 record, 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage in 15 contests this season. He last played Feb. 7, turning aside 36 of 38 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. With Francouz unavailable, Jonas Johansson has been serving as Alexandar Georgiev's understudy.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Begins skating
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Francouz (lower body) skated for the first time in six days Friday, Brennan Vogt of Full Press Hockey reports.
Francouz last played Feb. 7, stopping 36 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss in Pittsburgh. He is 7-7-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage this season. Alexandar Georgiev has established himself as the No. 1 netminder with the Avalanche, but the team could use Francouz back in action, in case of an injury to Georgiev. Consider Georgiev day-to-day at this time.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: No timeline for return
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Francouz (lower body) hasn't resumed skating yet and doesn't have a timeline for his return, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
The Avalanche initially thought Francouz would be ready after three weeks but his absence has exceeded that mark. He has posted a 7-7-1 record this season with a 2.53 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Jonas Johansson, Justus Annunen and Keith Kinkaid have been taking turns backing up Alexandar Georgiev.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: No change in status
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Francouz (lower body) remains under the same timeline to return from injury, despite the club adding goalie Keith Kinkaid via trade from Boston, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Coach Jared Bednar said there's been no setback for Francouz when he explained the reasoning behind the acquisition of an additional goalie. He maintained the same timeline of up to four weeks but added there's no guarantee it will be exactly four weeks. Kinkaid will provide additional depth alongside Justus Annunen and Jonas Johansson.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Expected to miss three weeks
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Francouz (lower body) is expected to miss the next three weeks, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
Francouz was injured prior to Saturday's game in Florida. The netminder is 7-7-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage this season. The Avs recalled Justus Annunen to back up Alexandar Georgiev with Francouz on the shelf.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Set for extended absence
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Frnacouz (lower body) is expected to miss multiple weeks, Avalanche freelance writer Adrian Dater reports.
Francouz was hurt before Saturday's game versus the Panthers, and now his absence will keep him out likely for the rest of February at a minimum. This likely means a heavy workload is on the way for Alexandar Georgiev, as Jonas Johansson's numbers in his NHL career are not impressive and could hurt the Avalanche's push to obtain and keep a playoff spot.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Won't suit up Tuesday
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Francouz (lower body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Francouz does not have a timeline in place for his return yet. Colorado brought up netminder Jonas Johansson from AHL Colorado on Monday. Alexandar Georgiev could end up making back-to-back starts, as the Avalanche visit Minnesota on Wednesday following Tuesday's contest.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Dealing with lower-body issue
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Francouz won't practice Monday due to a lower-body injury, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Francouz was a late scratch ahead of Saturday's clash with the Panthers likely due to this lower-body problem. In his last six contests, the backup netminder went 3-2-1 with a 2.14 GAA and .929 save percentage. With Francouz on the shelf, the Avs recalled Jonas Johansson, who will likely be pressed into service against the Lightning or Wild on Tuesday or Wednesday, respectively, though Francouz hasn't been officially ruled out.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Not starting after all
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Francouz won't start Saturday's road game against Florida, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports.
Francouz appeared to be the starter after being the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate. However, Alexandar Georgiev led the Avalanche out for pregame warmups and will play instead.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Starting in Florida
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Francouz will be between the road pipes versus Florida on Saturday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Francouz has started six of the last 11 games for the Avalanche, working in a near-even split with Alexandar Georgiev. Francouz is 7-7-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage. He will face the Panthers, who are tied for sixth in scoring at 3.48 goals per game.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Falls in overtime
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Francouz allowed two goals on 38 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Penguins.
Francouz blanked Pittsburgh for much of the game but was beaten by Bryan Rust after a net-front scramble late in the third period before Kris Letang would tally the winner in OT. Francouz falls to 7-7-1 with a .919 save percentage on the season. The 32-year-old netminder could see additional starting opportunities down the stretch as Colorado looks to keep Alexandar Georgiev fresh for their playoff push.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Facing Penguins
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Francouz will defend the road net Tuesday versus Pittsburgh, Avalanche play-by-by announcer Conor McGahey reports.
Francouz has a 7-7-0 record this season with a 2.58 GAA and a .917 save percentage. His three-game win streak was snapped prior to the All-Star break in a 5-3 loss to Anaheim. The Penguins sit 12th in the league with 3.27 goals per game this campaign.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Yields four goals in loss
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Francouz allowed four goals on 31 shots in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Ducks. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.
Francouz's three-game winning streak came to a screeching halt as the Ducks rallied for a third-period comeback. This was the first time since Dec. 3 that Francouz has allowed more than three goals in a game. He slipped to 7-7-0 with a 2.58 GAA and a .917 save percentage through 14 appearances this season. Alexandar Georgiev will likely get the nod for Saturday's game versus the Blues.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Slated to be in net Thursday
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Francouz is set to start at home against Anaheim on Thursday, according to Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey.
Francouz won his last three starts while posting a 1.30 GAA and a .953 save percentage over that span. He now has a 7-6-0 record, 2.47 GAA and .920 save percentage in 13 contests this season. Anaheim has the 31st-ranked offense with 2.40 goals per game.
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Avalanche's Pavel Francouz: Rock solid in shootout win
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Francouz stopped 26 of 27 shots in Saturday's 2-1 shootout win over the Kraken.
Francouz earned his third straight win in a very close game -- both teams finished with 27 shots. The difference was Nathan MacKinnon's shootout tally. Francouz has allowed just seven goals while going 3-1-0 over his last four contests. He's up to 7-6-0 with a 2.47 GAA and a .920 save percentage through 13 games this season. Alexandar Georgiev has also gotten back into form, but Francouz is playing well enough to push for at least one start a week, which would keep both netminders fresh. The Avalanche return home to face the Capitals on Tuesday.
