Czech Republic Olympian Pavel Francouz makes his NHL preseason debut with the Colorado Avalanche

Czech Republic-born goalie Pavel Francouz, That played the last 3 seasons for Chelyabinsk Traktor of This Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League, will make his NHL preseason debut Monday night Once the Avalanche plays with the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Francouz, 28, will start in net. The 2018 Olympian served as backup and didn’t perform in Saturday’s 7-0 loss at Minnesota.

“It’s always easier if you know you’re starting and playing with the match,” Francouz said following a morning skate at the Avs’ clinic center. “Going in in the middle of the game is hard. But it’s portion of the match. ”

The Avs spent $690,000 at a one-way contract for Francouz, that will start the season in the minor leagues when fellow goalies Semyon Varlamov and Philipp Grubauer stay healthy. Francouz will contend with Spencer Martin, 23, for the No. 1 job with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League. Joe Cannata, 28, is the goalie the Avs are carrying and will probably be delegated to the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.

Cannata was the No. 1 man to get the Eagles last season, when the club has been that the Avs’ ECHL affiliate.

Francouz set up impressive numbers last season from the KHL, including a .946 save percentage and 1.80 goals-against average. Francouz reported to his first training camp in North America late last couple of years.

“I came pretty early, to accommodate he explained. “Now, I’m focusing on hockey. ”

Martin will back Francouz against the Golden Knights, who defeated Colorado 5-1 last week at the Pepsi Center in the Avs’ preseason opener.

Associated Articles

Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen stays out with slight harm

Avalanche falls 0-2 at preseason with 7-0 loss at Minnesota

Avalanche celebrity Nathan MacKinnon will be one of those NHL’s most underpaid players — and he doesn’t care

Newcomer Philipp Grubauer in net for Avalanche in second preseason match

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is Searching for difference makers

The remainder of the Avs’ roster Monday is dominated with youth and inexperience. Second-year forwards J.T. Compher and Alex Kerfoot will play online with rookie Martin Kaut, 18, along with rookies Vladislav Kamenev and Logan O’Connor will play with Sheldon Dries, 24.

Just two defensemen who’ll make the Avs’ opening-night roster — Sam Girard and Patrik Nemeth — are at Monday’s lineup.

The Avs will use a veteran lineup in two preseason home games this week — Thursday against Dallas and Friday against Minnesota. Coach Jared Bednar explained that the roster will be trimmed following Wednesday’s match. Colorado concludes the preseason Sunday at Dallas.

Footnotes. Avs’ top-line center Nathan MacKinnon came in No. 11 Sunday night on the NHL Network’s five-part countdown string “Top 50 Players Right Now. ” MacKinnon, that was runnerup to New Jersey’s Taylor Hall for the Hart Trophy s MVP last season, made his debut. MacKinnon finished one place ahead of Patrick Kane, the three-time Stanley Cup champion of the Chicago Blackhawks. The NHL Network’s top-10 participant list will be announced in the days leading up to opening night Oct. 4. … Right winger Mikko Rantanen returned to practice Monday after suffering a slight leg injury Thursday. Rantanen didn’t skate for 3 times just as a precaution.