Ex-Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev signs 1-year contract with Sabres
Former New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has a new home after the unrestricted free agent goaltender signed with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. The one-year contract is worth $825,000.
The 29-year-old signed with the Rangers as an undrafted free agent on July 17, 2017, and spent five seasons on Broadway before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche on July 7, 2022. He was 58-48-11 in 129 games (117 starts) during his time with the Rangers, with a 2.94 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and eight shutouts.
Georgiev broke into the NHL as Henrik Lundqvist’s understudy in 2017-18, and while in his mind he may have been preparing himself to eventually take over as the No. 1 goalie, it didn’t work out that way. Instead, Igor Shesterkin arrived in 2019-20 — and though the three goaltenders split time that season, Shesterkin grabbed the starting job after Lundqvist signed with the Washington Capitals before 2020-21 but was forced to retire due to a heart issue before playing a game.
Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2021-22, and the Rangers traded Georgiev’s rights to the Avs for three mid-round draft picks.
Of course, Georgiev expressed his gratitude to the Rangers and the fans before leaving.
“I just wanted to take the moment to thank the NY Rangers organization for giving me a chance 5 years ago! That’s all I ever needed,” Georgiev said in a farewell note. “From getting the first NHL call up and reading the Letter to seeing this team become a contender and make a run at the cup. From playing in covid bubbles to having full stadiums with celebrities behind the bench, it’s really been a journey full of memories.
“And even if that journey wasn’t always smooth, it’s been an honor putting on that Jersey. Thank you to all the staff at the arenas who made you feel like part of a family. And big THANK YOU to all the Rangers fans who are so passionate, it was incredible playing in front of you all.”
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Ex-Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev signs with Sabres
Colorado wasted no time signing the pending restricted free agent to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.4 million. He rewarded them by leading all NHL goaltenders in wins in 2022-23 (40, tied with Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins) and 2023-24 (38). He was also selected to play in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.
Shesterkin’s 73 wins during those two seasons were five fewer than Georgiev; however, the Rangers goalie had a better GAA (2.53 to 2.77) and save percentage (.915 to .908) than his former partner in that span.
But things went south for Georgiev last season. He struggled in the early going (8-7-0, 3.38 GAA, .875 save percentage) and was traded to the last-place San Jose Sharks on Dec. 9 along with forward Nikolai Kovalenko and two draft picks for former New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Georgiev finished the season with a combined 15-26-4 record, a 3.71 goals-against average and .875 save percentage – not exactly the best way to enter free agency.
For his career, Georgiev has played 303 games (288 starts); he has a 151-108-26 record, a 2.99 GAA. .903 save percentage and 15 shutouts. He is also 9-10 with a 2.72 GAA and .906 save percentage in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games (18 starts).
Georgiev is the second goaltender signed by the Sabres this offseason, following the addition of Alex Lyon on a two-year contract in July. The two veterans join an organizational depth chart that also includes returnees Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi, plus recently signed prospects Scott Ratzlaff and Topias Leinonen.
The native of Ruse, Bulgaria, represents Russia on the international stage and helped the Russians win the bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.
