from Mike Chambers of the Denver Post,

The Avalanche enters the most strenuous part of its condensed schedule somewhat thin at the position. Colorado completes this month with consecutive games Friday and Saturday at the Arizona Coyotes, then plays 17 games in 31 days of March.

Goalie Philipp Grubauer, who is among the NHL leaders in wins (nine), goals-against average (1.78) and save percentage (.932), could conceivably play every game if he remains healthy. But the Avs surely won’t allow that to happen. Taxing Grubauer at this time of the regular season is simply not an option, and it appears backup Pavel Francouz will remain on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) for the foreseeable future — if not the entire season.

“Francouz .. he’s out indefinitely. It’s going to be long-term,” Avs coach Jared Bednar told me.

Francouz, who has not played this season, has put a giant crack in the Avs’ armor. Every hockey team needs two capable goalies — particularly this year in the NHL — and Colorado isn’t deep and highly unproven behind its top two.

So what are the Avs’ options? If they don’t trade for an experienced goalie, they have no proven option.

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