Rangers Roundup: Nemeth day-to-day, Georgiev on the move, and more
The New York Rangers held practice today in preparation for their contest tomorrow in Ottawa against the Senators.
Patrik Nemeth, who was placed on IR retroactively is eligible to return at any time, practiced on the third pair with Braden Schneider.
New York Rangers practice notes
Head coach Gerard Gallant was asked if Nemeth could play tomorrow, but he really didn’t entertain it. “It’s day-to-day,” he said. “We’ve been speculating for a week and a half and it isn’t fair to anybody.”
According to the NY Post, it’s believed that Nemeth is still dealing with lingering effects after contracting COVID-19 back in December.
Nemeth, 30, has two points in 38 games this season. He last played on January 22, in a 7-3 Rangers win over the Coyotes. If he can’t go, the pairing of Zac Jones and Schneider should stay together.
Gallant also called the recent slow starts for the Rangers all mental. “You have to get yourself prepared, do your workouts, focus on your first shift and things will take care of themselves.”
Alexandar Georgiev trade situation
Alexandar Georgiev rebounded nicely after a slow start to this season. After being temporarily thrusted into the #1 role when Igor Shesterkin injured his groin on December 3rd. He’s proven to be a more than capable backup with starting goalie potential.
The 25 year-old’s numbers have improved drastically over the last few months to 7-7-2 record with a 2.98 GAA and an .898 SV%. His status as a pending RFA and the Rangers future cap situation will have them looking for a cheaper option going forward. Georgiev makes $2.5M and his qualifying offer must be at least that much.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post believes that the Rangers may trade him at the deadline. That means they will need to bring in a capable backup. For that he suggests Detroit’s Thomas Greiss or Vancouver’s Jaro Halak.
The Vegas Golden Knights have recently expressed interest in acquiring Georgiev as well.
In January, I spoke with a knowledgeable source to gauge what the market is for Georgiev, and if the Rangers could do better than a third rounder many believe he would fetch.
“If you wait until the draft, everyone knows they can’t qualify him so it won’t be any higher,” the source explained. “They can’t qualify him at the end of the season – if he takes the qualifier, the Rangers will be in a bind and everyone knows that. So no one is really going to step up (their offer).”
Should that be the case, I feel that Georgiev is more valuable as Igor’s insurance policy this season than a third round selection in 2022.
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