What are the chances the Rangers trade Georgiev
Now that top-tier goalie prospect Igor Shesterkin is signed and ready to come to New York, there is a chance that the Rangers may look into dealing 23-year-old netminder Alexandar Georgiev.
Georgiev, who stole the show as far as Rangers goaltenders go last season, started 33 games for the and posted an impressive 2.91 GAA with a .914 save percentage. So why would the Rangers potentially trade a future Henrik Lundqvist replacement? That’s because of one Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin and fellow Russian Vitali Kravtsov have all of the bright lights on them when they make the trip over for the Rangers prospect camp this summer. Shesterkin posted an astonishing 1.11 GAA in the KHL last season over the course of 28 starts. Shesterkin’s numbers surely indicate a reason the Rangers may look to move Georgiev, especially if the price is right.
As far as a return goes for Georgiev, he’s just 23-years-old, and after the year he had last year, that surely helps the Rangers in trade talks. What doesn’t help the Rangers in potential trade talks would be the small sample size Georgiev has had in the NHL. Even after the 33 starts he had last year, Georgiev has only played in 43 career NHL games. I see a second round draft pick as the ceiling for what the Rangers get in return for Georgiev if they move him over the summer, mainly because the last time a first round pick was acquired for a goalie was back in 2015 when the Devils traded for Corey Schneider.
Another scenario I see the Rangers moving Georgiev would be to move up in the draft. We know by now, the Rangers have two first round picks this year (NYR, WPG) and three second round picks (NYR, DAL, TBL). For the record, that DAL second rounder can become a first if they reach the Western Conference Finals, or is Zuccarello re-signs in Dallas. But looking back at moving up in the draft, I would consider that to be likely one way or another. Jeff Gorton showed his willingness to move up last season, as they leap-frogged to draft K’Andre Miller. Packaging Georgiev and a pick can launch the Rangers ahead in the draft, and I can see that scenario taking place if the organization sees someone they absolutely love.
Although I do see the side where Georgiev gets moved, I don’t think the team will do so, not yet anyway. Expecting Shesterkin to come over from the KHL and jump right in behind Lundqvist is a tough task for the 23-year-old Russian. I see the Rangers giving Georgiev similar, if not more playing time behind the aging Lundqvist next season, then seeing what the best move is going forward after they see enough of Georgiev and Shesterkin to make any more franchise-altering decisions.
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