Kraken sign goalie Philipp Grubauer to six-year, $35.4M contract

July 28, 2021 - 2:32pm

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer shoots out a stream of water after taking a drink while waiting for a face off against the Minnesota Wild in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Denver. (David Zalubowski / AP)

The Seattle Kraken have signed star goalie Philipp Grubauer to a six-year, $35.4 million contract.

Grubauer, who finished third in Vezina Trophy voting this past season, gives the Kraken a No. 1 goalie to platoon with Chris Driedger and leaves the Colorado Avalanche looking for a new solution in net.

Grubauer to SEA 6x$5.9M

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 28, 2021

After starting his career with the Washington Capitals, the 29-year-old signed a three-year pact with the Colorado Avalanche and quickly grabbed hold of the starting role. He’s coming off his strongest season by far, posting a 1.95 goals against average and a .922 save percentage with a career-high seven shutouts to go with his 30-9-1 record.

“We’re excited to add a goaltender of Philipp’s caliber, especially coming off of a season where he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy,” Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis said in the team’s press release. “He was a part of a Stanley Cup-winning team and has been one of the top goaltenders in the League over the past few seasons and we’re happy that he chose to join our team.”

In addition to signing Driedger in last week’s expansion process, the Kraken also selected two goalies: Ottawa prospect Joey Daccord and Washington’s Vitek Vanecek.

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