Avalanche acquire netminder Varlamov and sign Hejda
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DENVER (Reuters) - The Colorado Avalanche have acquired Russian goaltender Semyon Varlamov from the Washington Capitals and signed free-agent defenseman Jan Hejda to a four-year contract, the National Hockey League (NHL) team said on Friday.
Washington will receive Colorado's first-round pick in the 2012 draft and a conditional second-round choice in either 2012 or 2013 as part of the deal for Varlamov.
The 23-year-old Varlamov played in 27 games for the Capitals last season, compiling an 11-9-5 record with a 2.23 goals-against average.
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"We definitely feel we have addressed our top priority this offseason and for many years to come," Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman said in a statement.
Financial terms of the Hejda deal were not announced but local media reported the former Columbus Blue Jacket will earn $13 million over four years.
Hejda, 33, appeared in 77 games for the Blue Jackets last season, recording 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists).
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"He will fill an important role on our blue line and will help our penalty killing unit," Sherman said.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Julian Linden)