BREAKING: Avalanche signs Pavel Francouz to two-year contract

ANAHEIM, CALIF. – Pavel Francouz could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Not anymore.

In an early-afternoon announcement by the Avalanche here in Anaheim, the team signed goalie Francouz to a two-year, $4 million contract. The signing means the Avs have two goalies signed through next season at pretty reasonable terms, as injured starter Philipp Grubauer has one year left on his deal beyond this season, at a cap hit of $3.33 million.

“We are excited to have Pavel under contract for another two seasons,” Avs GM Joe Sakic said in a prepared statement. “He has been an important part of our team this year and has performed really well, especially when we needed it most. He is a hard-working professional, a great teammate and has earned his opportunity in the NHL.”

Francouz, 29, has a 14-5-3 record in 24 appearances with the Avalanche this season and ranks sixth in the league in save percentage (.923) and 10th in goals-against average (2.44). The Plzen, Czech Republic, native posted a career-best five-game winning streak from Nov. 7-Dec. 7 and went 9-0-1 from Nov. 7-Dec. 23, the longest stretch without a regulation loss by an Avs netminder since Semyon Varlamov in 2013-14 (11-0-5).

Francouz will start tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.