New Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy isn’t ready to give up on Varlamov and has hired goaltender guru Francois Allaire to work with the young goalie.

“I think Varly is looking for a fresh start,” Allaire told the Denver Post. “I think he’s open to trying something else. He didn’t feel he was going in the right direction. He wants to flush everything out and start fresh.”

Allaire’s greatest protégé was Roy, so there will be no shortage of advice given to Varlamov, who entered the NHL with such promise with the Capitals.

“I want him to be comfortable,” Allaire said. “That's the main thing. After that, I want him to understand I'm not coming from a different planet. It's the same stuff. We don't want him to change everything."

“I've met with him a few times already. One of my trademarks is I try to make sure guys are feeling good and keep it simple, create good routine, make sure the guy is happy coming to the rink. Then after that, look at the tape and then find their best strength and build around it. I'm not there yet with Varly, but I expect that to come."

Varlamov gets a new tutor in Colorado