It has been a rough run over the last year and a bit for veteran goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. After struggling mightily between Colorado and San Jose last season, his first trip through unrestricted free agency didn’t yield much interest. Instead, he had to wait until just before the start of training camp to get a contract as he signed a one-year, $825K deal with the Sabres as an insurance policy with some uncertainty surrounding Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen heading into camp.
However, after a poor training camp, Buffalo elected to bring in a different insurance policy, claiming Colten Ellis off waivers from St. Louis. As a result, Georgiev was placed on waivers and was sent to AHL Rochester after passing through unclaimed. Meanwhile, Luukkonen has returned and the Sabres appear to be intent on carrying three goalies this season.
Meanwhile, Devon Levi is Buffalo’s preferred goaltender in Rochester. While he hasn’t had the immediate NHL impact they were hoping when they signed him a few years ago, he’s still a decent prospect and needs to be getting the bulk of the playing time. As a result, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that Buffalo is now trying to find a new home for Georgiev.
The 29-year-old has respectable career numbers at the NHL level despite his recent struggles. In 303 games over parts of eight seasons, he has a 151-108-26 record with 2.99 GAA, a .903 SV%, and 15 shutouts. However, the last time he posted a save percentage over .900 was back in 2022-23 so it’s fair to suggest that anyone who might be looking to add him would be viewing him more as injury insurance than someone who could come up and play in the NHL right away.
With Levi getting the bulk of the workload, Georgiev has been limited to just two appearances in the minors through the first month of the season where he has allowed seven goals on 67 shots in a pair of losses. That said, a chance to play more regularly might result in a better performance moving forward.
The fact that Georgiev’s contract is a one-way pact will also limit his value. While more teams are now willing to pay NHL money to a third-string netminder, quite a few still try to avoid doing so while those who have an AHL netminder on a one-way deal likely won’t be looking to add another. However, as goalie injuries pick up, Buffalo might have a chance to move him for a future considerations type of return over the coming weeks. For someone who was a number one NHL goalie to start last season though, this is quite the fall from grace for Georgiev and his value.
Georgiev to the ECHL? if he can’t even be a backup for the Sabres or even the Sabres AHL team Rochester Americans then he might as well drop lower or head back overseas
Not sure what Buffalo expected with this one.
Maybe a seventh like Carolina gave up for Primeau?
I don’t see anyone in the NHL giving him a shot. In fact, not so much in the AHL either. Why isn’t he signed in the KHL or Liiga at this point? Buffalo should be calling Europe not North American teams.
I believe Georgiev would be better off playing a season in Europe to help find his game.
Dear Buffalo: Make room for two more bags of pucks and some dirt. That’s all the Georgie-Dog is worth now.
Levi has to play in 29 games still to lose his waiver claim exemption. UPL showed up to TC injured. Georgiev was brought in for insurance in net. Ellis wasn’t claimed till after the season started. His contract can he fully buried in Rochester/minors.