Avalanche sign Georgiev to 3-year deal with $3.4M AAV
The Colorado Avalanche signed goaltender Alexandar Georgiev to a three-year extension, the team announced Sunday.
His deal carries an average annual value of $3.4 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Georgiev was a pending restricted free agent.
The defending Stanley Cup champions obtained Georgiev's services from the New York Rangers prior to the draft Thursday in exchange for a third-rounder and fifth-rounder in 2022, as well as a 2023 third-round pick.
He logged an .898 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average in 33 appearances with the Rangers in 2021-22. Georgiev went on an 8-1-0 run in his last nine starts of the season, producing a pair of shutouts.
Georgiev stepped up when starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin missed time with a lower-body injury in December, pitching a .931 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average over six starts.
"When he was a starter, he played really well, and he wanted a bigger opportunity, and he's got that opportunity," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said Thursday. "He was looking forward to the challenge. … 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."
Sakic confirmed Georgiev would be the Avalanche's starter, while Pavel Francouz will be the backup, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
Pending unrestricted free-agent goalie Darcy Kuemper, who helped lead Colorado to the Stanley Cup, is set to hit the market.
Georgiev, 26, has a .908 save percentage in 129 career NHL games, all with the Rangers.