"Peter Budaj may not be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche when the 2009-10 season begins. But he will be on the roster. Budaj signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Avs on Monday, avoiding arbitration. The Slovakian native made $800,000 last season, and many speculated he would be cut loose by a team that finished last in the Western Conference. But Budaj is still young, at 26, and always has been praised by teammates for his good attitude and work ethic. Those are the qualities best associated with backup goaltenders, and it is likely Budaj will enter the Avs' training camp as their No. 2 goalie. Colorado is still waiting to hear the decision from 24-year-old Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson, who denied a Swedish newspaper report that he had crossed the Avalanche off his list of four NHL teams he is considering. If Gustavsson does not choose the Avs, they are expected to sign a goaltender on the free-agent market. The possibilities include Martin Biron, Ty Conklin, Scott Clemmensen, Craig Anderson and Nikolai Khabibulin - although Khabibulin is probably a longshot. Budaj went 20-29-5 last season, with a 2.86 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. It was the first losing season of his career, along with the first losing season in Avalanche history. Budaj can be an unrestricted free agent after next season."