Semyon Varlamov has been the Avalanche’s only Russian player since the goalie joined the team in 2011. Colorado has three Russians now with the additions of forward Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Nikita Zadorov. .
Grigorenko, 21, is a very good interview. We talked a good amount and I wasn’t able to squeeze the following into Wednesday’s story.
About reuniting with Patrick Roy, who was his major-junior coach in Quebec during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons: “I can’t wait for the opportunity to have him as a coach again. I had my best years in Quebec and it was great having Patrick as a coach. He was great to me and taught me a lot of things on and off the ice. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me already, and I can’t wait to have him as a coach again.”
Grigorenko’s three-year entry contract ended July 1 and, as a restricted free agent, he signed a modest one-year, one-way $675,000 deal with Colorado on July 16. The $675K might appear to be a significant pay cut to what he was making with Buffalo ($925K plus bonuses) but it’s guaranteed; he was often on a $70K annual pay scale with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
“I’m really glad we were able to get the deal done real quick,” Grigorenko said of his contract with the Avs. “I’m really excited for this opportunity and I look at it like a really good chance for me to become a full-time NHL player by having a good season and go from there. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sign a longer deal.”
Grigorenko and Zadorov are best friends and excited to play on a team with Varlamov, a superstar back home.
“The more Russians on your team and representing our country, the better it is,” Grigorenko said. “I’ve heard all the good stuff about (Varlamov) and everyone knows he’s a great goalie. He looks like a really good guy too. I haven’t met him yet but I’m really excited to have someone else who is Russian and knows the city well.”
Coming soon: Carl Soderberg paper/online story and blog.
