The Colorado Avalanche announced on Friday that they acquired 23-year-old goalie Semyon Varlamov from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a first- and a second-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft (or the second-rounder can be had in 2013). Varlamov has been the backup to Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth the last two seasons. In the 2010-11 season, he went 11-9-5 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average.
There were reports recently that Varlamov did not want to stay in the NHL if he had to re-sign with the Capitals, but this trade will likely keep him in the league and give him the uncontested starting spot in net for the Avalanche. Semyon was the 23rd overall choice of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Capitals.
With this move, the Avalanche have passed on free agent goalie Tomas Vokoun, who will receive a sizable pay day when he inks a contract.
For more on the Avalanche and their offseason plans, visit Mile High Hockey.