Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy announced Friday that rookie Calvin Pickard will start in net Saturday when they host the Dallas Stars.
Roy also said the Avalanche won’t keep three goaltenders on the active roster when Semyon Varlamov returns from a groin injury, which means Reto Berra is in jeopardy of losing his job.
More NHL on Sportsnet:
Subscribe: Rogers GameCentre Live
Rogers Hometown Hockey | Broadcast Schedule
Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool
Pickard has played well in five appearances this season, earning a .933 save percentage and a 2.24 goals-against average. He has a 2-3 record and both of his victories have come in the past week in games where Berra was pulled in the first period; both times, Pickard didn’t allow a goal and the Avalanche came back to win.
With the 22-year-old impressing Roy, the Avalanche bench boss said he’s not a candidate to get sent back to the American Hockey League at the moment, which leaves Berra as the odd man out.
In nine appearances this season, Berra is 2-2-1 with an .833 save percentage and a 3.57 GAA. The 27-year-old Bulach, Switzerland native is in the first year of a three-year, one-way contract with a cap hit of $1.45 million. He would have to clear waivers should the Avalanche choose to re-assign him to the AHL.
