The Colorado Avalanche should kick the tires on UFA goalie Alexandar Georgiev this summer. Georgiev remains unsigned after finishing the season with the San Jose Sharks.
A reunion between Georgiev and the Colorado Avalanche is rooted more in practicality than sentiment.
The Avalanche need goalie depth, especially at the AHL level, while Georgiev could be looking at one more kick at the NHL can. So, it would make sense for both sides to come together on a short-term deal.
Georgiev is coming off a three-year, $10.2 million contract signed in 2022. He was expected to take over from Darcy Kuemper as the Avalanche’s goalie of the future. The plan was for Georgiev to lead Colorado to more Stanley Cup championships.
That didn’t happen, of course, and landed Georgiev in the proverbial doghouse as he struggled to be that number-one goalie.
While Georgiev could return to San Jose next season, the Sharks don’t seem too keen on keeping him. The club looks poised to anoint Yaroslav Askarov as its starter, while Alex Nedeljkovic could shoulder a fair chunk of the workload.
Other clubs like the Edmonton Oilers are also looking for goaltending help. But Georgiev isn’t necessarily their top choice.
So, a return to Colorado could be beneficial to both Georgiev and the team. The club clearly needs goaltending depth, and Georgiev needs another shot. Georgiev’s likely destination would be the Colorado Eagles. He would be a solid upgrade as the starter there, while providing an experienced third-string option in case of injury.
Is Georgiev’s return to Colorado likely? It could become increasingly likely as the summer wears on. Thus far, there’s no indication the two sides have spoken. But fans shouldn’t be surprised if talks somehow got underway at some point.
Colorado Avalanche must prioritize goalie depth
The Colorado Avalanche are set this season with MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood in the crease. Both goalies are solid and should benefit from a full training camp and preseason.
Blackwood proved he could step in and take over the crease with little ceremony. So, there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll be just as good or better this upcoming season.
But injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. That situation means the Avalanche will need insurance. As we’ve seen with other teams, goaltending insurance is a vital part of remaining competitive.
So, adding an experienced goalie like Alexandar Georgiev is something the Colorado Avalanche must look into. There’s a chance, of course, that both Georgiev and Colorado think about a reunion and decide to say, “thanks, but no thanks”.
But then again, both Georgiev and the Avalanche are running out of time. That’s why a reunion might not be the craziest thing in the world at this point. A short-term deal, like a one-year contract, could be a good option, especially if things don’t go very well.