Semyon Varlamov played eight years for the Colorado Avalanche, and while they did not have a lot of trips to the post-season while he was there, the Russian Goalie certainly was not the issue. 

When most people think of the 1977 Avco Cup Champion Quebec Nordiques, they think of the "Flying Frenchmen" of Marc Tardif, Réal Cloutier, and Serge Bernier.  There was also a Quebecer who played in the net and made a significant contribution to those great teams.  That man was Richard Brodeur.

Alex Tanguay was chosen 12^th Overall in the 1998 Draft and, as a rookie in the 1999-00 campaign, would score 51 Points.  Tanguay had 77 Points the following season and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2001.  Tanguay would have a 78 and 79 point year, respectively, in 2003-04 and 2005-06, but would be traded to the Calgary Flames the year after.

As you likely know, the first season of the Colorado Avalanche after the relocation from Quebec City would see them win the Stanley Cup.  One of the mid-season trades that comes to mind that facilitated this was the trade from Montreal of superstar goalie Patrick Roy.  The other, less talked-about one was from San Jose, the defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh.