The 26-year-old goaltender was acquired Friday from the Washington Capitals, along with defenseman Brooks Orpik, from the Colorado Avalanche for a second-round pick (No. 47) at the 2018 NHL Draft. Grubauer was 15-10-3 with a 2.35 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and three shutouts in 35 games (28 starts) for the Capitals this season. He was 0-1 with a 4.57 GAA and .837 save percentage in two Stanley Cup Playoff games during Washington's run to the championship.
"He just won a Stanley Cup. He's a winner, and that's always important. He knows what it takes," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said following the trade. "He was just in a dressing room that went through a grind. You don't win a Stanley Cup if you're not part of a close team that believes and knows how to win in the playoffs. And he had a huge part in getting them into the playoffs.
"He's had two really good years in a backup role, and we all feel he's ready to take the next step and become a No. 1. We're excited to have two No. 1 goalies."
RELATED: *[Grubauer traded to Avalanche by Capitals for draft pick*]
Grubauer could have become a restricted free agent July 1.
Washington selected Grubauer in the fourth round (No. 112) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He is 43-31-11 with a 2.29 GAA, a .923 save percentage and six shutouts in 101 NHL games (79 starts), and 1-1 with a 4.24 GAA and .835 save percentage in four playoff games (three starts).
Sakic said Grubauer will split starts with Semyon Varlamov, who has one year remaining on his contract. Jonathan Bernier, Varlamov's backup this season, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
