The Colorado Avalanche wasted little time in assuring themselves the services of recently acquired restricted free agent goaltender Alexandar Georgiev for the foreseeable future, signing the former Ranger to a three-year deal Sunday.
The Avalanche obtained Georgiev from New York Thursday in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks in the 2022 NHL Draft and a third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft
"When he was a starter, he played really well, and he wanted a bigger opportunity, and he's got that opportunity," Avalanche executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic said. "He was looking forward to the challenge. What I like about it, he played in a big market. He was in New York. He can deal with a lot of that stuff. We're excited for him."
Georgiev, 26, recorded a 2.92 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage in 33 games (28 starts) in 2021-22. He also had a 15-10-2 record with two shutouts.
The acquisition of Georgiev could signal the end of Stanley Cup winner Darcy Kuemper's tenure in Colorado. Kuemper is an unrestricted free agent.
Georgiev boasts a 58-48-11 record with eight shutouts, as well as a 2.94 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 129 career games. He was signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent in July of 2017.
Kuemper had a career season during his first season with the Avalanche last year. The 32-year-old recorded a 37-12-4 record with five shutouts, a 2.54 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
On Sunday, Colorado also announced the signing of defenseman Jacob MacDonald through 2023-24.
The 29-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Avs after a debut season in 2018-19 with the Florida Panthers.
MacDonald saw his most NHL action in 2020-21, when he appeared in 33 games and totaled nine points (one goal, eight assists).
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