Behind Calvin Pickard, who will compete with Reto Berra in training camp to become Semyon Varlamov’s opening-night backup, Spencer Martin appears to be the Avalanche’s most exciting goaltending prospect.
How Pickard, 23, performs in training camp probably will dictate where Martin, 20, plays this season.
Martin, who signed his NHL entry-level contract last fall, has over-age exempt status for major-junior’s Mississauga Steelheads of the under-20 Ontario Hockey League. So he could again delay his pro contract and return to Mississauga, where he has played since age 16.
“Nothing is a given, and that’s why I’m here: to prove I’m ready to play pro,” Martin said Wednesday after the conclusion of the Avs’ three-day rookie camp. “I feel confident in myself, and I’m enjoying the experience of being with the big team right now. I’ll work hard in main camp and show them I’m ready.”
The paid-to-play route would have Martin playing for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League, the Avs’ top minor-league affiliate. The question is, will Colorado again make Pickard — who led the NHL in save percentage much of last season — its top AHL goalie or create an enticing Varlamov/Pickard big-league rotation?
Berra, 28, is signed for $1.45 million this season and next and might be traded, released or bought out to accommodate Pickard in Colorado and Martin in San Antonio. Pickard is on a two-way deal, paying him $850,500 in the NHL and $67,500 in the minors.
During the time of Varlamov’s three groin injuries last season, Pickard played ahead of Berra. But Berra played well late in the season when called upon.
Martin, who was Colorado’s third-round selection (63rd) in the 2013 draft, is the biggest of the six goalies who will report for physicals Thursday morning at the Pepsi Center. Martin is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, but said he’s up to 215.
“Size would be my strength, but what I thrive on is to be able to move at this size,” Martin said. “It’s not like I worked hard to be tall, but I do work hard to be fast.”
Martin has successfully recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The injury occurred Dec. 21, and he had surgery in January by Avalanche doctors in Denver. He is thrilled to play under coach Patrick Roy, the legendary goalie.
“It starts with the head coach. He’s a goalie, and smart teams stack up their goaltending, and that’s just the way the league is now,” Martin said. “Goalies win games. I’m happy to be apart of it, from Patrick to Francois (assistant goaltending coach Francois Allaire) to Varly and down to me.”
Footnote. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, Avs captain Gabe Landeskog and others will hold a news conference Monday to promote Colorado’s Feb. 27 Stadium Series game against the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or
Avalanche goalies
Hockey reporter Mike Chambers analyzes the seven Avalanche goalies under contract or on the 2015 training camp roster:
Semyon Varlamov, 28, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds
— The Russian still is one of the best in the business when healthy.
Calvin Pickard, 23, 6-1, 200
— Off-the-charts compete level led to team-best .932 save percentage last season
Reto Berra, 28. 6-4, 210.
— Played excellent late last season, but was third-string most of the season and could be traded, released or bought out.
Spencer Martin, 20, 6-3, 215
— He was the 63rd selection of the 2013 draft and the Avs love his size and attitude.
Roman Will, 23, 6-1, 195
— Undrafted free agent from Czech Republic played mostly in the East Coast Hockey League last season, but got 11 games in the American Hockey League.
Sami Aittokallio, 23, 6-1, 190
— He’s under contract, but on a European assignment clause and will play in Finland.
Maximilian Pajpach, 19, 6-0, 207
— Unsigned Slovakian was drafted in the sixth round in 2014 and was injured all last season.
