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Free Agent Profile: Alexandar Georgiev

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Despite posting solid career numbers and demonstrating the ability to step up as a number one goaltender when needed, free agent Alexandar Georgiev is coming off the worst season of his career, which has made his NHL future uncertain. Split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks, last season Georgiev posted a less-than-desirable 7-19-4 record to go along with a .875 save percentage and 3.71 goals against average.

While that performance may be enough to keep Georgiev from getting a guaranteed deal in the NHL, it’s far below his otherwise solid career numbers. Given that the Bulgaria native is still 29 years old, he could still generate interest from a team in need of an experienced backup or simply someone to provide organizational depth.

Georgiev also isn’t far removed from significant success in the league. In the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he combined for 78 wins with Colorado, leading the league in victories both years and earning his first career All-Star selection. His performance during the 2022-23 season, in which he posted 40 wins and a .918 save percentage, earned him a seventh-place finish in Vezina Trophy voting. That success makes last season’s steep decline all the more puzzling, and may be enough for a team to view last season as more of a one-off.

Stats

2024-25: 49 GS, 7-19-4, 1152 SV, .875 SV%, 3.71 GAA, 0 SO, 2671 MIN, .362 QS%
Career: 288 GS, 151-108-26, 7,892 SV, .903 SV%, 2.99 GAA, 15 SO, 17,010 MIN, .500 QS%

Potential Suitors

At this point in the process, most teams have a clear idea of who their starter and backup will be for next season. However, teams not fully comfortable with their backup situation may take a chance on Georgiev bouncing back from his difficult 2024-25 campaign.

One of Georgiev’s former employers may fit this bill. The New York Rangers — where he began his career — currently have 39-year-old Jonathan Quick set to back up star Igor Shesterkin. While the Rangers do have prospect Callum Tung waiting in the wings, the 21-year-old will need another year of development in the AHL. Adding Georgiev could provide valuable depth within the organization, offering a veteran presence to mentor Tung and someone they can rely on in case of injury.

Teams not expecting to contend next season could also take a run at Georgiev, hoping he can revitalize his career, potentially making him a valuable trade asset come the deadline in March. However, those same teams might be better off giving opportunities to prospects looking to establish themselves in the league.

Projected Contract

Georgiev just finished the final year of his three year, $10.2MM contract, which came with a $3.4MM AAV. Unless he experiences a complete resurgence, those kinds of numbers are unlikely to come around again for Georgiev. For now, he’d likely be open to any one-way deal, even if it’s at the veteran minimum. At this stage of the offseason, no option is off the table, including a two-way contract, a PTO, or even a return to Russia, where he began his pro career and holds dual citizenship.

Photo credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Free Agent Profile: Joel Kiviranta

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Perhaps no remaining free agent is harder to gauge than forward Joel Kiviranta, who flashed unexpected scoring touch last season with the Colorado Avalanche that vastly deviated from his career norm. In 79 games last season, Kiviranta produced 16 goals, doubling his previous career high of eight goals during the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old native of Finland was aided by a 19 percent shooting percentage, nearly doubling his career average of 10.9 percent.

With that said, he made the most of his career-high 12:31 average ice time, which included setting career highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, faceoff percentage, and blocked shots. He also recorded 114 hits—the second-highest total of his career—and contributed on the penalty kill, notching his second career shorthanded goal last season. Although he achieved career-high marks in the regular season, things came to a halt in the postseason, as Kiviranta posted zero points across seven games while averaging 10:05 of ice time per game.

While his shooting success from last season is nearly impossible to sustain, he could still appeal to a team looking for a veteran presence in its bottom six who can contribute offensively. Remarkably, his 16 goals last season rank second among all remaining free agents, trailing only Jack Roslovic.

Stats

2024-25: 79 GP, 16 G, 7 A, 23 PTS, +15, 20 PIMS, 84 shots, 12:31 ATOI, 46.7 CF%
Career: 298 GP, 35 G, 25 A, 60 PTS, +1, 92 PIMS, 320 shots, 11:16 ATOI, 47.7 CF%

Potential Suitors

As previously discussed, Kiviranta’s 16 goals last season are likely more of an aberration than an expectation moving forward. This likely leaves him seeking a fourth-line role, with the potential to move up the lineup if needed. To that end, a wide range of teams could kick the tires on adding the veteran, at a minimum to compete for a roster spot.

While this time of year is ideal for rebuilding teams to pick up veterans with hopes of flipping them at the deadline for assets, Kiviranta likely doesn’t fit into that strategy. His best path to a new contract may lie with a contending team in need of a veteran depth piece—like his most recent employer, the Avalanche. A reunion isn’t out of the question.

Projected Contract

It’s hard to believe, after a 16-goal season, that Kiviranta’s contract may be similar to last year’s $775,000 deal he signed with Colorado, but here we are. This late into free agency, his best opportunity may come without a guaranteed roster spot on opening night. Even so, given his experience, physicality, and ability to contribute on the penalty kill, he could still earn a one-year, one-way deal.

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent Profile: Victor Olofsson

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While Victor Olofsson struggled to stay healthy last season (a common theme for his career), the 29-year-old winger produced 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games for the Vegas Golden Knights. That put Olofsson on an 82-game pace for 22 goals and 42 points, which would have been his highest total since recording a career-best 49 points in the 2021-22 season. His plus-17 rating last season was also a career-high by a wide margin.

When healthy, Olofsson may be the most offensively gifted remaining free agent. He has produced three career 20-plus goal campaigns, including 28 with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022-23 campaign. He could provide quality depth scoring and might even contribute in a top-six role. However, the Swedish winger has played 75 or more games just once in his NHL career and has averaged only 60 games per season over six full seasons.

As a three-time 20-goal scorer, Olofsson should appeal to a range of teams, whether it’s contenders looking to bolster their depth or rebuilding clubs eyeing a potential trade chip for next season’s deadline.

Stats

2024-25: 56 GP, 15 G, 14 A, 29 PTS, +17, 16 PIMS, 109 shots, 14:30 ATOI, 57 CF%
Career: 370 GP, 105 G, 106 A, 211 PTS, -46, 44 PIMS, 777 shots, 15:18 ATOI, 55.5 CF%

Potential Suitors

As mentioned above, Olofsson may be the best offensive threat still available on the open market, making his services attractive to several potential suitors. His ability to produce 20-goal seasons, combined with his anticipated affordability, should land him a deal in the not-too-distant future.

A reunion with the Golden Knights seemed like a logical fit at the start of free agency, but Vegas is now more than $7 million over the cap, according to PuckPedia. However, a reunion with the Sabres, with whom he spent his first six seasons, could be a fit. The Sabres have more than enough cap space to sign Olofsson and could benefit from a veteran presence within its top-nine. Another team to monitor could be the Minnesota Wild, who despite making the playoffs last season, finished 25th in the league in goals for with 225. Signing Olofsson at a bargain price could help strengthen Minnesota’s depth scoring. Prior to free agency, ProHockeyRumors identified the Seattle Kraken as a potential destination as well.

Projected Contract

Olofsson is coming off a one-year, $1.075 million deal with the Golden Knights. While last season was seen as a “prove-it” year, he ironically proved what’s been true all along: when healthy, he can produce, but injuries continued to limit his overall impact.

The 5’11”, 180-pound winger will likely have to settle for a similar deal this late into the process, although seven figures probably isn’t a guaranteed.

Metropolitan Notes: Clifton, Karlsson, Berard

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When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton and the 39th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenders Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, the biggest asset coming back to Pittsburgh appeared to be the pick. However, Clifton is working hard to make a name for himself with his new team.

Speaking with reporters, including Seth Rorabaugh of Triblive.com, Clifton noted his desire to get back to the physical play that became his calling card early in his career. Though the 30-year-old defenseman stands at just 5’11” and 195 pounds, he’s never hesitated to throw big hits or drop the gloves when needed to shift momentum. As Rorabaugh notes, Clifton has led his team in hits each of the last three seasons.

“Working to get to the next level, it was always a big part of my game. I feel like I out-competed my way to the NHL with that sort of style, and that’s what’s going to keep me there,” he said.

Through seven NHL seasons, Clifton has recorded 1,014 hits to go along with 77 points and a plus-43 rating. While Clifton admitted that his two seasons in Buffalo “put my career at a standstill,” he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh.

“The change of scenery, I got that call that I’m going to be a Pittsburgh Penguin, I was really excited for the change. I want to get back to my old self and how I play and the impact that I have on the game,” he said.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan:

  • Clifton’s new team—for now—still includes Erik Karlsson, whose name has been a constant in trade rumors. While Karlsson has two years remaining on his contract, giving GM Kyle Dubas some flexibility, The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman notes that Karlsson’s age and the risk of a sudden decline could push the Penguins to move him sooner rather than later. As Goldman notes, the pool of quality defensemen available on the open market is drying up. At the same time, the number of teams with an urgent need for a top-pairing blueliner is also shrinking. The offensive-minded Karlsson put up 11 goals and 53 points for the Penguins last season, but also struggled with defensive breakdowns throughout the season.
  • New York Rangers winger Brett Berard played 35 games throughout his rookie campaign last season, but the majority of them were done so while playing through a significant injury. According to USA Today Sports reporter Vince Mercogliano, Berard suffered a torn labrum in his fourth game of the season on November 30 and played through it the rest of the season. The injury did not require surgery, and the offseason layoff has allowed Berard to return to full health ahead of training camp. In those 35 games, Berard produced six goals and 10 points.

Hurricanes Sign Ryan Suzuki, Ronan Seeley To Two-Way Deals

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The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have signed forward Ryan Suzuki and defenseman Ronan Seeley to one-year, two-way contracts. Suzuki will earn $775K at the NHL level and $130K in the AHL, while Seeley will be paid $813,750 in the NHL or $80,000 in the AHL.

Suzuki, 24, made his NHL debut last season, appearing in two games for the Canes and recording a plus-one rating while averaging 6:36 of ice time per night. The team’s first-round pick in the 2019 draft (28th overall), Suzuki had a slow start to his pro career but found his scoring touch last season, recording 59 points in 69 games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. That marked a 27-point jump from his previous career high. In 230 career AHL games, he has totaled 145 points.

Before turning pro, the 6’2″, 195-pound center appeared in 173 games for the OHL’s Barrie Colts (three seasons) and Saginaw Spirit (one season), where he put up 57 goals and 177 points. While Suzuki is likely to start next season in the AHL, he provides the organization with a quality depth piece if called upon.

Seeley, 22, was drafted by the Canes in the seventh round of the 2020 draft (208th overall). The 6’1″, 192-pound left-handed defender spent four seasons with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, where he produced 102 points in 190 games. He then got off to a solid start in his pro career, posting four goals and 25 points in 70 games for the Wolves during the 2022–23 season. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that level of production over the past two seasons, totaling just 24 points in 127 games during that span.

Free Agent Profile: Matt Grzelcyk

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After spending eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins last offseason. While he got off to a slow start in Pittsburgh, Grzelcyk eventually found his stride, posting several career highs along the way, including points (40), blocked shots (101), and games played (82). He also averaged a career-high 20:37 of ice time per game.

For teams looking to add offense this late in free agency, Grzelcyk’s 40 points last season actually leads all remaining unsigned players. However, teams will truly be targeting a reliable third-pairing defenseman who can slide up the lineup and log big minutes when needed.

After a few disappointing seasons to end his stint with the Bruins, the Boston-native signed a one-year, $2.75 MM contract with Pittsburgh in hopes of rejuvenating his career. While he may not have done enough to earn a lucrative multi-year deal, Grzelcyk showed well despite Pittsburgh’s difficult situation and should still warrant a role with an NHL team in need of a left-handed depth option on the blue line.

As the top remaining free agent defenseman, Grzelcyk should find a new home soon. Grzelcyk, 31, is the only defenseman left on the board among ProHockeyRumors’ top 50.

Stats

2024-25: 81 GP, 1 G, 39 A, 40 PTS, -4, 16 PIMS, 101 blocked shots, 43 hits, 20:37 ATOI
Career: 527 GP, 26 G, 149 A, 175 PTS, +131, 253 PIMS, 542 blocked shots, 353 hits, 18:27 ATOI

Potential Suitors

While a reunion with the Penguins once seemed possible, the team’s recent addition of fellow veteran Matt Dumba may have officially closed the door on that option. While Pittsburgh has the cap flexibility to add Grzelcyk, the team currently has eight defensemen signed to one-way deals, with prospects Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke waiting in the wings. A hometown reunion with the Bruins also seems out of play, as Boston is limited in both cap space (approximately $2MM per PuckPedia) and need for a left-handed defender. With that said, plenty of other suitors should be in play, as contending teams like the Maple Leafs and younger teams looking to add veteran presence and leadership, such as the Blackhawks, could all benefit from Grzelcyk’s services. The Sharks appeared to be a potential fit for Grzelcyk at the start of free agency but have made blue line deals elsewhere this offseason.

Projected Contract

Before free agency, ProHockeyRumors ranked Grzelcyk as the 22nd-best free agent on the market, and predicted a three-year, $3.67MM AAV deal. He was ranked just ahead of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, who would both go on to sign multi-year deals with the Kings. However, this late in the process, Grzelcyk is probably more likely to land another one-year deal with a low salary. In fact, Grzelcyk may be looking at an identical contract to the one he signed in Pittsburgh last season, just south of $3MM.

Bowen Byram Sees Upside In Staying With Buffalo

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The Buffalo Sabres recently reached a deal with restricted free agent Bowen Byram ahead of arbitration, putting an end to months of trade speculation and talks of a potential split. With the dust now settled following his two-year contract worth $6.25 million per season, Byram admits that re-signing with the Sabres made sense on several levels, including the opportunity it offers for a bigger role, per NHL.com’s Justin Alpert.

“Personally, I’ve been pretty happy with my time in Buffalo,” he said. “I think I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve got an opportunity to play a bigger role and play more minutes, whether it’s the offensive side, power play, penalty kill. So, I’m happy with that.”

To that point, Byram averaged a career-high 22:42 of ice time last season, largely playing alongside all-star Rasmus Dahlin. Byram, selected fourth overall in the 2019 draft, is also coming off his best statistical season (38 points), and perhaps most importantly, the often-injured defenseman appeared in all 82 games. And at just 24 years old, it’s reasonable to anticipate continued growth.

Speaking about the opportunity to play with Dahlin, Byram said it supports his development, specifically defensively, calling Dahlin, “one of the best defensemen in the world.”

“When I’m playing with him, I just try to take care of the defensive side of the puck, make sure that I’m hanging back and giving him the freedom to get up ice and join the play and do his thing,” he said.

As Alpert points out, Byram and Dahlin tied for the league lead with a plus-20 goal differential at five-on-five, matching the mark set by what many consider the NHL’s top defensive pairing — Colorado’s Cale Makar and Devon Toews, former teammates of Byram. Byram acknowledged that Dahlin would be the Makar of their duo, but believes his abilities can mirror what Toews is capable of.

“Looking back now, I think I got to learn a lot from just watching those two,” Byram said. “You have a guy like Cale Makar, very similar to Rasmus, and I hope to try to be a player of Toews’ caliber. Whether it’s now or down the road, that’s what I look to continue to build towards,” he said.

League Notes: Chinakhov, Morrow, Cooke

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While Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov only recently formally requested a trade, tensions between him and the organization have been building for some time, reports The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline.

As Portzline outlines, discontent between Chinakhov and Columbus has been evident for years, noting that early in the 2023-24 season, Babaev told The Columbus Dispatch that Chinakhov, “doesn’t feel the (Blue Jackets) trust him, and he wants to leave.” Then last season, Chinakhov struggled with a back injury and later told reporters that he and the team disagreed on the best course of treatment. This ultimately led to Chinakhov traveling to Russia during the 4 Nations Face-Off break to have a procedure that wasn’t an approved treatment in North America, Portzline reports. And while Chinakhov averaged a career-high 15:43 of ice time per game last season, he became a frequent healthy scratch at the tail end of the campaign, sitting out 12 of the Jackets’ final 13 games.

This all resulted in Chinakhov and Babaev making official trade demands this week, with Chinakhov speaking to Russian outlet Sport-Express, and Babaev posting on X and speaking with The Athletic. While his back injury (and healthy scratches) led to just 30 games played last season, Chinakhov has stated this offseason that he is 100 percent healthy. In 175 career NHL games, the 24-year-old former first-round pick has recorded 34 goals and 71 points and could offer another franchise a quality depth scoring option.

Portzline adds that the Blue Jackets expect Chinakhov to report to training camp if a trade does not materialize, and Chinakhov has stated he expects to honor his contract, which comes with a $2.1MM AAV. Given Chinakhov’s stated desire for top-six minutes and the Blue Jackets’ need for scoring, Portzline notes the irony in the two sides being unable to find common ground.

In other news around the league:

  • Former first-round selection defenseman Joe Morrow has signed a one-year deal with Unia Oswiecim of the Polska Hokej Liga (PHL) in Poland, per Seth Rorabaugh of Trib Live. Morrow, 32, was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins 23rd overall in the 2011 draft. He was then traded in 2013 to the Boston Bruins in a deal that brought veteran forward Brenden Morrow (no relation) back to the Penguins. Morrow would go on to suit up in 162 career NHL games across five seasons for the Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, and Montreal Canadiens. He also appeared in 174 AHL games over his career. Following the 2019-20 season, Morrow headed overseas and has appeared in the KHL and spent the last two years in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EHIL) in the United Kingdom.
  • Former NHL forward Matt Cooke, a veteran of more than 1,000 career games, was hired as head coach and general manager of the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League, Rorabaugh reports. Vernon plays in the junior “A” league, the second-highest tier of Canada’s junior hockey. As Rorabaugh outlines, Cooke has coached at various levels since his retirement in 2015, including stints including a stint as head coach of the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers. Over 14 NHL seasons, Cooke, who was known for playing on the edge, recorded 398 points and 1,135 penalty minutes. He won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, playing a key role on the team’s third line alongside Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy.

Defenseman Ty Smith Signs With KHL

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Former first-round defenseman Ty Smith is heading overseas after signing a one-year deal with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk, per Trib Live reporter Seth Rorabaugh. As Rorabaugh notes, the team announced the deal via Telegram, a popular social media platform in Europe. While Dinamo Minsk competes in the Russian league, the team is based in Belarus.

Smith was selected 17th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2018 draft. He demonstrated strong offensive upside during his time with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, recording 235 points in 240 games from the blue line. That success helped him bypass the AHL altogether, and he made his debut with the Devils to start the 2020-21 season, posting a respectable 23 points in 48 games as a rookie. For his success, Smith was named to the 2020-21 All-Rookie Team, alongside future stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Jason Robertson.

However, he was unable to replicate that success again. In 66 games the following season, Smith put up just 20 points and struggled in the defensive zone, posting a -26 rating. The following offseason, the Devils shipped Smith and a third-round pick to the rival Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman John Marino. While in Pittsburgh’s organization, Smith showcased strong stats with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, posting 67 points in 102 games across two seasons. However, he was only able to suit up in nine NHL games with Pittsburgh, posting a goal and three assists.

The Penguins then traded Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the Jake Guentzel deal at the 2024 trade deadline. However, a similar pattern followed in Carolina, where he produced well in the AHL but struggled to earn consistent NHL minutes. In 36 games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves during the 2024-25 season, Smith posted five goals and 28 points. But he only suited up in eight games for the Hurricanes, posting two points while averaging 13:40 of ice time per game.

In 131 NHL games, the Alberta native recorded nine goals and 49 points. Still just 24 years old, Smith has time to rejuvenate his career, and a strong showing overseas could be a meaningful first step.

 

AHL Notes: Meehan, Stalletti, Cossa

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The Philadelphia Flyers have signed former Los Angeles Kings’ fifth-round selection Ben Meehan to an AHL contract for 2025-26, per Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey.

A left-handed defenseman, Meehan was selected by the Kings with the 140th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Meehan would then go on to play five seasons in the NCAA at UMass-Lowell, where he served as team captain each of the past two seasons. In 145 games with the River Hawks, Meehan produced 13 goals, 55 assists, and 68 points.

Following his collegiate career, Meehan signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the AHL’s Iowa Wild in March, but only appeared in two games with the organization, recording zero points and a minus-one rating. The 6’0″, 187-pound Boston native will provide the Flyers and their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with a young depth option on the blue line.

Elsewhere in the AHL:

  • The AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds have hired Vince Stalletti as their goaltending coach, per a team release. Stalletti spent the last five seasons in the NCAA as the goaltending coach at the University of Connecticut. Under his tutelage last season, goaltender Callum Tung (now in the New York Rangers system) posted a school-record .933 save percentage and helped lead the program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament. Stalletti replaces Colin Zulianello, who was promoted to be the Seattle Kraken’s goaltending coach under new head coach Lane Lambert.
  • While Detroit Red Wings’ goaltender Sebastian Cossa, 22, may be ready for a spot on the opening night roster, he might be best served starting the season in the AHL, where he can get consistent playing time, suggests The Athletic’s Max Bultman. Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa has performed well over two full seasons with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. He’s compiled a 43-24-14 record, recorded a save percentage at or north of .910 in both years, and registered three shutouts. Cossa also appeared in his first NHL game last season, recording the win while stopping 12 of 14 shots. And while Cossa has the pedigree and AHL experience to warrant a full-time opportunity in Detroit, the Red Wings traded for presumable starter John Gibson and have veteran Cam Talbot signed for one more year. As Bultman notes, the plan may be for Talbot to back up Gibson this upcoming season, with Cossa stepping into that role in 2026–27, just as Gibson’s contract is set to expire as well.

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