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J.S. Giguere signs extension with Avalanche [$1.5M, 1 year]
Good signing. This guy's one of the best mentors for young goalies. Two years ago with Reimer, now with Varlamov, his reputation as a good backup goalie is going to keep him in the game for a while.
I'm always a little wary when it comes to considering veteran back-up goalies to be good "mentors". I am not familiar with what Varlamov or Reimer have said about him, so I absolutely don't want to discard the possibility that he is, in fact, a great mentor, but I'll remember Bryzgalov saying that the biggest thing he learned from JS was a everyone for himself type mentality ("this is wolves' world"). Maybe it's just Ilya's quirkyness, maybe it's JS having settled down and into that role with higher age and bigger age differentials to his mentees. In any way, regardless of his qualities as a mentor, he most certainly earns that contract for his play alone. Good for him and the Avs.
I'm always a little wary when it comes to considering veteran back-up goalies to be good "mentors". I am not familiar with what Varlamov or Reimer have said about him, so I absolutely don't want to discard the possibility that he is, in fact, a great mentor, but I'll remember Bryzgalov saying that the biggest thing he learned from JS was a everyone for himself type mentality ("this is wolves' world"). Maybe it's just Ilya's quirkyness, maybe it's JS having settled down and into that role with higher age and bigger age differentials to his mentees. In any way, regardless of his qualities as a mentor, he most certainly earns that contract for his play alone. Good for him and the Avs.
He's definitely played the role of mentor to Varlamov in Colorado, both by being able to play well when varlamov was struggling and presumably by helping him settle into being the #1 for the first time in the NHL. Have a read here, which is the best article I can find quickly about him mentoring Varlamov.
Sweet, Giggy has done a fantastic job in Colorado so far.
My only concern is that with extending him early we're locked into a second year before we know how much age will factor into his game next season and in the event of a major injury or something.
Good for Jiggy, bit hasty from the Av's though IMO given he already had a contract for next year. But if he stays injury free should be good for both parties
Very solid option as a vet. Good signing, one of our better previous goaltenders in recent years. Best of luck while he finishes his career. He's slowed down his lateral and down/up movement bu his positional play makes up for that.
Surprising but good signing none the less, kind of wondered if he was just using the Avs to rebound his career and if they would be able to retain him for cheap. It's nice to know hes committed in his role.
From everything he said in his interviews he seems happy in Colorado, especially the family life. I would bet if all goes well when he retires he becomes their goalie coach as well.
I'm always a little wary when it comes to considering veteran back-up goalies to be good "mentors". I am not familiar with what Varlamov or Reimer have said about him, so I absolutely don't want to discard the possibility that he is, in fact, a great mentor, but I'll remember Bryzgalov saying that the biggest thing he learned from JS was a everyone for himself type mentality ("this is wolves' world"). Maybe it's just Ilya's quirkyness, maybe it's JS having settled down and into that role with higher age and bigger age differentials to his mentees. In any way, regardless of his qualities as a mentor, he most certainly earns that contract for his play alone. Good for him and the Avs.
He's an excellent mentor. Teaches the young guys how to stick in the NHL and be professionals. He's a solid 'bridge' from wherever these guys come from to the NHL.
I'm always a little wary when it comes to considering veteran back-up goalies to be good "mentors". I am not familiar with what Varlamov or Reimer have said about him, so I absolutely don't want to discard the possibility that he is, in fact, a great mentor, but I'll remember Bryzgalov saying that the biggest thing he learned from JS was a everyone for himself type mentality ("this is wolves' world"). Maybe it's just Ilya's quirkyness, maybe it's JS having settled down and into that role with higher age and bigger age differentials to his mentees. In any way, regardless of his qualities as a mentor, he most certainly earns that contract for his play alone. Good for him and the Avs.
You have to consider that he still had expectations of being the starter in Anaheim, not a back-up and a mentor. The reality of his situation has changed, and he has changed with it.
To me, the best part of having Giguere around isn't for his mentorship or competent role as back-up for a low price - it is the small and tantalizing hope that he resurrects what he once was. It isn't something to expect or pray for, but it isn't out of the the realm of possibility that he has a late-career rejuvenation. And that would be a swell bonus.
Awesome, really happy with this move. Giguere has been really good for the team and for Varlamov. Giguere has been especially important as the Avs don't have a dedicated goalie coach.
Really hope this is a sign of Giguere sticking around even after his playing days, I think he'd make a great goalie coach down the line.
You have to consider that he still had expectations of being the starter in Anaheim, not a back-up and a mentor. The reality of his situation has changed, and he has changed with it.
Oh, I absolutely believe that. It's what I meant by the possibly "settling down" part I acknowledged as a possibility. Good to hear that's actually the case for him.
Awesome, really happy with this move. Giguere has been really good for the team and for Varlamov. Giguere has been especially important as the Avs don't have a dedicated goalie coach.
Really hope this is a sign of Giguere sticking around even after his playing days, I think he'd make a great goalie coach down the line.
Oh, I absolutely believe that. It's what I meant by the possibly "settling down" part I acknowledged as a possibility. Good to hear that's actually the case for him.
He was a great mentor for Reimer and he said he'd miss him if he wasn't signed but with the season we'd had there was no way we could justify signing JS Giguere because he wasn't as good with us and he also battled with groin injuries towards the end of his stay in Toronto. In the end, the pairing of Gus and Reimer was just as bad as Giggy and Gus/Reimer.
No luck .
I am sure Burke would love to sign Giggy now that he has a good season under his belt if he were UFA.
Oh, I absolutely believe that. It's what I meant by the possibly "settling down" part I acknowledged as a possibility. Good to hear that's actually the case for him.
Giggy and Varly did a couple interviews together and it seems like there is a healthy amount of mutual respect there. Varlamov recognizes the fact that Giguere has a Conn Smyth Trophy and a Stanley Cup, Giguere recognizes that Varlamov is the future of the team.
They genuinely seem to work well together and there was measurable growth in Varlamov's game in areas Giguere is known for. Namely positioning and a calm but aggressive net presence...
That was the one main thing hurting Varlamov, that being his overactive style. Which I would imagine contributed to his injuries as well. Especially later in the season when Varlamov calmed down and really started to play more positionally sound, he made huge strides in consistency as well.
That is exactly why Avs fans get so frustrated with the media still bashing Varlamov regardless of the obvious strides he made and showed during the harder part of the season. It was obvious to any fan who watched the Avs play on a regular baisis how much of an impact Giguere had and how much improved Varlamov was as a result as well.
There were even times off the ice that we know for sure Giguere had an impact on calming the team down after or during losing streaks. There was at least one time during practice that he was seen speaking to the team and multiple references to his voice in the locker room at key times.
Giguere & Shane O'Brien were our two most vocal veteran leaders last season.
