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Will the real Semyon Varlamov please stand up?

Semyon Varlamov, Zach Parise

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, front, of Russia, clears the puck from the side of the net as Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise comes in from the boards in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Saturday, April 27, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

AP

One area the Colorado Avalanche aren’t particularly stressed out about is in goal. With Semyon Varlamov locked in as the No. 1 guy and Jean-Sebastien Giguere backing him up, they’re all set there.

The question is: What version of Varlamov is the real one? Fans in Colorado have seen two different performances from him during his two seasons in Denver.

Take a look at Varlamov’s numbers over the last three seasons (one with Washington) and you’ll be left wondering the same thing.

2010-11: 11-9-5 .924 SV% 2.23 GAA (Washington)

2011-12: 26-24-3 .913 SV% 2.59 GAA

2012-13: 11-21-3 .903 SV% 3.02 GAA

Neither season with the Avalanche is overly inspiring but the work he’d done in Washington was enough to inspire GM Greg Sherman to give up a first-round pick for him. His save percentage numbers in the ’11-'12 season don’t even crack the Top 20 in the league and he was outplayed by Giguere.

Last season was a disaster all around for the Avs and was highlighted by the terrible play of their defense. It’s difficult to be hard on Varlamov for that, but his meager numbers from the previous season took a further beating.

That’s cause for concern, but the Avs may have addressed that by hiring Patrick Roy as their new coach. You’d have to think if anyone can help a goalie figure out their game it’d be a Hall of Famer of Roy’s ilk. After all, Varlamov is still young at age 25 and headed into his sixth NHL season.

If Roy can help Varlamov out, the Avs won’t have to sweat out goaltending at all. If not, 21 year-olds Sami Aittokallio and Calvin Pickard will be waiting in the AHL for an opportunity. Colorado is hoping it doesn’t have to come to that.

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