With training camp set to open later this week, the Colorado Avalanche are dealing with an injury between the pipes to Pavel Francouz. This has led the Avalanche to scour the goaltending market for a replacement.
According to Adrian Dater, the Avalanche have a trio of leading candidates they've been linked to - UFA Jaroslav Halak, Calgary's Dan Vladar and Montreal's Casey DeSmith.
Halak, 38, spent the 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers where he had a record of 10-9-5 with a 2.72 GAA, a .903 save percentage and one shutout in 25 games.
When it comes to Calgary's Dan Vladar and Montreal's Casey DeSmith, both can be easily moved by their respective franchise. In Calgary, goaltending prospect Dustin Wolf appears ready to make the team on a full-time basis behind Jakob Markstrom, which would leave Vladar as the odd man out.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has said he will look to move Casey DeSmith and told the 32-year-old that he will not be assigned to the AHL. Much like the Flames, Montreal has two goaltenders on their NHL roster, Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen, which would make DeSmith the third string at this time.