With just six days to go until the July 13th Free Agency period, Chris Drury exchanged backup netminder Alexandar Georgiev to the Colorado for three mid-round picks. With the Rangers short on time and Cap space, the move provides some expected relief, and returns a few modest assets that replace some of the picks dispensed at last season’s trade deadline.
Coming back to New York in the trade are Colorado’s 2022 3rd round (97th overall) and 5th round (181st overall) picks in this year’s draft, along with a 3rd round pick in next year’s draft. The trades all but replacing the picks dealt for Justin Braun (3rd), Tyler Motte (4th) and Frank Vatrano (4th).
The trade finally brings a close to a mixed career with the Rangers for the Bulgarian born goaltender. Georgiev was signed as an undrafted Free Agent, and ultimately rose to the position of backup netminder for the Rangers in the waning years of Henrik Lundqvist‘s years.
Starting hsi NHL career in the 2017-18 eason, Georgiev appeared in 126 NHL games over five seasons, as well as two games in relief during the playoffs this past year. He finished hiss Rangers tenure with a 2.93 GAA and .909 Save Percentage to go with a 57-47-10 record.
Once considered a possibility to perhaps become the Rangers starter, Georgiev was quickly surpassed by Igor Shesterkin in the 2019-20 season, dropping to third on the depth chart as the Rangers finished that year with three netminders on the roster.
Going to the reigning Stanley Cup Champions isn’t a bad option either for the 26 year old, though the Avalanche are set to go into this coming year with their third straight starter in net, having failed to come to terms with both Philipp Grubauer and now Darcy Kuemper, who was the starter in net for the Avalanche’s successful campaign this year.
Having reportedly requested a trade, Georgiev will now get a shot at establishing himself as a starter in the NHL for the first time.
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