Avalanche look to Budaj to guard team between pipes

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado -- Peter Budaj has the net all to himself, no Jose Theodore standing in his way.

The Colorado Avalanche allowed the free-agent Theodore to bolt for the Washington Capitals on the presumption that Budaj was prepared to step in.

Budaj appreciates the NHL team's faith, and now the Slovak wants to reward it.

"They gave me the chance, telling me I'm the guy," Budaj said on Tuesday after practice. "I'm going to do my best and show them I'm capable of being the No. 1."

The just-turned 26-year-old goalie fully expected Theodore to be back this season, especially given the way Theodore played toward the end of the season. He helped the Avalanche steal a first-round playoff win over Minnesota before being swept by Detroit in the next round.

However, Colorado had other plans in mind -- Budaj.

"We've been grooming him for this day," said Avalanche coach Tony Granato, now in his second stint in charge of the team. "He's a kid that's ready."

The promotion heaps a soaring sense of responsibility on Budaj. After all, this is a squad that Joe Sakic believed enough in to put off retirement and come back for a 20th season.

Budaj said he won't let the pressure buckle him.

"It's not like, 'Oh my gosh, I've got to play great,"' Budaj said. "It's something like, 'The coaching staff trusts me, the owner trusts me, the team trusts me and so I've got to do my best.' I've got to be able to look at the mirror after every game and say I did my best."

Budaj definitely has help in front of him with a dependable defense that includes Adam Foote, Ruslan Salei, Scott Hannan, John Michael-Liles, Jordan Leopold and Brett Clark.

"Our defense looks awesome," Budaj said with a giant grin. "I'm very confident."

Budaj played second fiddle last season, seeing action in 35 games, and winning 16, drawing four, and losing 10 with a 2.57 goals-against average.