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Grubauer surprised, excited to get opportunity with Kraken

Philipp Grubauer ended the season believing he was going back to the Colorado Avalanche.

Credit: AP

FILE - Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) watches the puck in the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Denver, in this Tuesday, June 8, 2021, file photo. Several goaltenders were on the move in NHL free agency Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Vezina Trophy finalist Philipp Grubauer left Colorado for the expansion Seattle Kraken. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

SEATTLE (AP) — Philipp Grubauer ended the season believing he was going back to the Colorado Avalanche.

But he unexpectedly hit the free agent market when he couldn't reach a new deal with Colorado.

The expansion Seattle Kraken quickly swooped in and signed Grubauer to a six-year, $35.4 million deal.

Seattle was surprised Grubauer was available.

Grubauer was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season as he went 30-9-1 with the Avalanche with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.