Alexandar Georgiev recorded a .918 save percentage across 24 KHL games after his NHL contract was mutually terminated last season.
Early NHL workload built durable resume
Georgiev appeared in 303 regular-season NHL games between 2017-18 and 2024-25, more than any other pending UFA netminder except Jonathan Quick. He started 62 games for Colorado in 2022-23 and 63 in 2023-24, the second-highest total behind Juuse Saros across those two seasons. Those 125 starts produced 78 wins, the league lead in that span. In 2022-23 he posted a 2.53 goals-against average and .919 save percentage with five shutouts.
The same workload produced contrasting results the next year when Georgiev recorded a 3.02 GAA and .897 save percentage. Colorado still leaned on him for 63 appearances before trading him mid-2024-25.
2024-25 slide erased prior gains
Georgiev opened 2024-25 with an 8-7-0 record, 3.38 GAA and .874 save percentage in 18 appearances for the Avalanche. After the mid-season trade to San Jose he started 30 games, won seven, posted a 3.88 GAA and .875 save percentage while facing the second-highest shot volume in the league. He finished the year second-last among qualified goalies with minus-17.9 goals saved above expected according to moneypuck.com.
Buffalo signed him to a one-year $825,000 contract before camp, yet he allowed 11 goals on 86 shots for an .872 save percentage in four preseason games. The Sabres claimed Colten Ellis on waivers and mutually terminated Georgiev’s deal, allowing him to join Spartak Moscow.
Crowded 2025 UFA class raises bar
Twelve pending unrestricted free agents who played at least ten NHL games in 2024-25 posted save percentages below .900. The group includes Sergei Bobrovsky, Frederik Andersen, Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot, Connor Ingram, David Rittich, Eric Comrie and Vitek Vanecek. None of the one-year one-way signings from the prior offseason replicated Georgiev’s 303-game experience level.
Georgiev’s agent stated the explicit goal remains an NHL return. Teams needing inexpensive depth may view his prior 125-game workload over two seasons as sufficient evidence he can still deliver starter minutes at a fraction of veteran UFA salaries.
Georgiev will turn 31 on February 22 2027, the same age at which Cam Talbot secured a one-year deal with Detroit in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.