Avalanche Acquire Alexandar Georgiev For Three Picks
The Avalanche just won the Stanley Cup with the worst team save percentage for a postseason ever (.901). Dumping resources into replacement level goalies is archaic. Joe Sakic seems to get it. In back to back offseasons he’s let Philipp Grubauer and Darcy Kuemper walk. No time was wasted finding this year’s replacement. Alexander Georgiev is the new starting goalie in Colorado.
Georgiev, 26, is a restricted free agent this offseason. Colorado obviously doesn’t make this deal if they don’t have an idea on his next contract in mind already. Whatever his next deal is, the number will be cheaper than Kuemper which is all that matters. Pavel Francouz is already locked in next year as well for a cheap AAV ($2 million).
It’s hard to see a loser in this deal with either party. The Rangers weren’t going to give Georgiev the playing time he wanted with Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin on the roster. New York gets three draft picks to either use in trades or to try to beef their farm system. The Avalanche get a new starting goalie with some upside without giving up any sort of significant compensation. Hard to find a loser in this situation.
Georgiev is an interesting pick up. 2021-22 wasn’t a kind year to the Bulgarian net minder. However, now he’s got the best team in the league in front of him helping make life easier. Ask Grubauer what it’s like to play for the Avalanche instead of a bad team… Yes, the Rangers are a bad team. They’re the Canadiens of last year. Get over it.
