Why these 2 former Rangers remain without contracts in NHL free agency
In the week since NHL free agency opened July 1, close to $1 billion ($932 million) has been spent on 205 contracts throughout the League. Not a penny of that total has been spent on a pair of former New York Rangers, who at one point likely envisioned cashing in this offseason.
Alexandar Georgiev and Jack Roslovic remain on the market, with options dwindling by the day.
This is a far cry from what Georgiev envisioned last summer, when he projected to be the top goalie on the UFA market in 2025. However, the 29-year-old cratered this past season. He began the season as the No. 1 for the Colorado Avalanche, a legit Stanley Cup contender, and finished it with the lowly San Jose Sharks, his numbers equally as poor for each team.
Georgiev, an NHL All-Star in 2024, combined to post a terrible 3.71 goals-against average and .875 save percentage in 49 games for those two teams this past season. He ranked 65th out of 66 goalies who played at least 15 games with an atrocious -17.9 goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck. Only Sam Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers was worse (-19.9).
After an outstanding first season with the Avalanche in 2022-23 (62 GP; 40-16-6, 2.53 GAA, .919 save percentage), Georgiev started to show some cracks in his game the following season with them (63 GP; 38-18-5, 3.10 GAA, .897 save percentage). But no one predicted what happened this past season. And now there’s a massive question mark about his future.
Roslovic scored 22 goals with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, tying his career high set in 2021-22 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, Roslovic played fewer than 14 minutes a night because he’s largely a liability defensively. Though his xGF was 50.28 percent last season, per Natural Stat Trick, the Hurricanes were outscored 55-46 with him on the ice 5v5 and were out-chanced in high-danger opportunities 205-173.
The 28-year-old appeared in nine of Carolina’s 15 postseason games and scored one goal. The year before, Roslovic had two goals in 16 playoff games with the Rangers, and ended the postseason on the fourth line.
In a sheltered role, though, Roslovic should be of interest to some teams out there. Remember, Roslovic didn’t land his one-year, $2.8 million contract with Carolina until July 4 last summer. So, this isn’t unchartered UFA territory for him.
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Former Rangers still have options in NHL free agency
Let’s explore where Georgiev, who played with the Rangers from 2018-22, and Roslovic, a trade-deadline acquisition by the Blueshirts in 2024, may land this summer.
Alexandar Georgiev
Georgiev’s best bet appears to sign a one-year prove-it contract and re-enter the open market next summer. No one is handing him either a long-term nor big-money contract after his dismal season. But that doesn’t mean Igor Shesterkin’s former partner isn’t worth taking a shot on in a bounce-back situation.
The Edmonton Oilers missed out on John Gibson, who was traded to the Detroit Red Wings by the Anaheim Ducks, but could have interest in an upgrade over the Stuart Skinner-Calvin Pickard goalie tandem. They are right up against the salary cap, but if the Oilers could land Georgiev for the veteran’s minimum or perhaps as much as $1 million, who says no?
The Chicago Blackhawks have cap space, though they also have a No. 1 goalie to build around after acquiring Spencer Knight late last season. So, this would be a No. 2 role or 1A at best. Perhaps a better No. 2 role could be in Calgary with the Flames, who have Dustin Wolf entrenched as their top goalie, but have the room to add Georgiev as his backup, if interested. Last season’s backup, Dan Vladar, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Complicating matters for Georgiev are the dearth of NHL opportunities — even as a backup — and the fact that veterans James Reimer and Ilya Samsonov are also still on the market.
Related: Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin named top Russian goalie in NHL by friend, local rival
Jack Roslovic
Roslovic should have more options this summer than Goergiev. In fact, Elliotte Friedman stated on a recent 32 Thoughts podcast that Roslovic could be a fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who would love to add a middle-six scoring forward and are roughly $5 million under the cap — more if they trade RFA Nicholas Robertson.
Friedman added that the Washington Capitals have shown some interest in Roslovic. The Sharks have plenty of cap space and could use a middle-six forward to support their growing young core and add some scoring depth. The Islanders, Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens also make some sense as potential fits for Roslovic, and one can’t rule out the Blackhawks.
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