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Avalanche's Philipp Grubauer: Inks three-year contract with Avs

Stuck behind Braden Holtby on the Capitals' depth chart, Grubauer was dealt to the Avalanche on Friday along with Brooks Orpik for the 47th pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. With no stalwart ahead of him on the Colorado depth chart, Grubauer -- who seized the starting job away from Holtby for a chunk of the 2017-18 campaign -- should join the Avalanche in a good position to earn the primary role for the club next season. His last five seasons in the nation's capital have been impressive, though last year's showing (15-10-3, 2.35 GAA, .923 save percentage) may have been his most impactful for the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

Avalanche's Philipp Grubauer: New starter in Colorado?

It had been rumored for quite a while that Grubauer would be on the move and now we know his final destination. Colorado's willingness to absorb Orpik's contract allowed the club to pay a relatively small price to acquire a guy who could end up as a starting goaltender next season. Grubauer has been brilliant for Washington over the past two seasons (28-16-5, 2.19 GAA, .924 save percentage) and now he is in line to be the No. 1 man for one of the NHL's better young clubs. Grubauer, who is currently a restricted free agent, should make for a fine fantasy option in 12-team leagues next season.

Capitals' Philipp Grubauer: Time to be No. 1 goalie elsewhere?

Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said Wednesday that he's open to trading Grubauer. "It is just a personal thing for Gruby," MacLellan said. "I would love to have Gruby back. We've got two really good goaltenders. I just think he is at the point where he wants his own team and he wants to be the guy that is running the show for his own team and I respect that." The German netminder has been one of the most valuable backups in fantasy hockey the past two seasons, as he's compiled a 28-16-5 record (six shutouts) along with a 2.19 GAA and .924 save percentage over that span. Grubauer even overtook Braden Holtby as the No. 1 goalie at the onset of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but Holtby reclaimed the job by Game 3 against the Blue Jackets due to the former yielding eight goals over those first two games.

Capitals' Philipp Grubauer: Pulled in Game 2

Well the Capitals' plan to start Grubauer hasn't quite panned out as hoped. He's now allowed four goals in both games of this series, and he got replaced by former starter Braden Holtby in this one. Don't be surprised if Holtby gets the start in Game 3.

Capitals' Philipp Grubauer: Will have chance to avenge Game 1 loss

The Capitals may have surprised some hockey fans by starting Grubauer over 2016 Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby in the series opener, but then again, the German thoroughly outplayed the more established netminder during the regular season -- he had a .923 save percentage compared to a career-worst .907 mark for Holtby. Grubauer set aside 23 of 27 shots in the team's 4-3 overtime loss to Columbus on Thursday, and while he's getting a vote of confidence from Barry Trotz having been named the starter for Game 2, we get the sneaking suspicion that we'll see Holtby in the net before long.