The Colorado Avalanche parted ways with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev earlier this season due to his underwhelming performance. This came after a successful 2022-23 season where he led the league with 40 wins, followed by a solid 38-win season in 2023-24.
Georgiev began the 2024-25 season with the Avalanche, achieving an 8-7 record. While not all the issues were solely his responsibility, the struggles of a goaltender often attract criticism. He failed to make several saves that would typically be deemed routine. In fact, he was removed from the second game of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets after recording a .667 save percentage, having allowed three goals on nine shots.
Even Georgiev recognized that the team was losing faith in him.
Regardless of the dwindling confidence the Avalanche and their supporters had in Georgiev, his performances were simply inadequate. The Avs traded Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, and two draft picks to the San Jose Sharks in return for Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and another draft pick. Although Colorado received Blackwood in the deal, they opted to retain 14 percent of Georgiev’s contract.
Last season, Smith participated in only seven games for the Avalanche, averaging a mere 6:21 of ice time. He recorded no goals or assists and finished with a plus-minus of -2.
Subsequently, Smith was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Erik Johnson, who was part of the Colorado team that won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Alexandar Georgiev will not be returning to the San Jose Sharks.
Reports on Thursday indicated that the Sharks have decided against re-signing Georgiev for a second season, even in a backup role. This decision speaks volumes about his performance.
Unfortunately, the reality is that he has not proven to be an effective goaltender. While he could theoretically continue as a full-time backup in the league, it’s hard to envision him achieving that after the Avalanche had previously relied on him as their starting goalie following Darcy Kuemper’s departure to the Washington Capitals.
My colleague Nestor Quixtan proposed the possibility of Georgiev rejoining the Avalanche, potentially to play with their AHL affiliate, the Eagles. Personally, I am not in favor of that idea. The Avalanche took a chance on Georgiev, and it did not pay off. I doubt he can revitalize his career by playing in the minor leagues.
