Avalanche add Bernier to crease

The Colorado Avalanche signed goaltender Jonathan Bernier to a one-year contract, the club announced. The pact is worth $2.75 million, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Bernier, who will be 29 in August, spent last season as John Gibson's backup in Anaheim, posting a .915 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average.

Prior to last season, he spent three years with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a part of a two-headed monster with James Reimer. He could be in a similar situation in Colorado, as Semyon Varlamov hasn't exactly put a stranglehold on the starting job over the past two seasons.

At the very least, the undersized Bernier will push Varlamov to be at his best, knowing he has a capable backup breathing down his neck.

Bernier all but replaces goaltender Calvin Pickard, who was scooped up by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft.