Avalanche coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Pickard would compete with Reto Berra for the backup goalie honors behind Semyon Varlamov, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.

Avalanche coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Pickard would compete with Reto Berra for the backup goalie honors behind Semyon Varlamov, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

It was Pickard who saw the bulk of the duties with the Avalanche last season when Semyon Varlamov succumbed to repeated lower-body injuries, but the two-way nature of his contract prevented him from permanently unseating Berra, who remains on a one-year deal. It doesn't appear that financial considerations will factor into the Avs' roster decisions during camp, as Roy expects both goalies to make a push for the No. 2 gig. If that's the case, Pickard could be viewed as the favorite to earn that role after going a respectable 6-7-3 with a 2.35 GAA and .932 save percentages during his 16 appearances with the parent club in 2014-15.