in addition to the drug controversy, théodore's play with the canadiens was marked by a significant drop and he was being outperformed by backup cristobal huet. consequently, he was traded at the trade deadline to the colorado avalanche on march 8, 2006, in exchange for swiss goaltender david aebischer. at the time of the trade, théodore was on the injured reserve; he strained his achilles tendon after slipping on the winter ice outside his home. he came off the injured reserve with enough time to play in the last five regular season avalanche games. his 3.04 gaa with the avalanche combined with his 3.46 rating earned from his previous play with the canadiens marked the worst gaa of his career. he was nonetheless designated the starting goalie for the playoffs over peter budaj, playing in all nine of colorado's games over the first two rounds before the avalanche were swept in four games in the second round by the anaheim ducks.