New York Rangers should sign a goaltender with AHL experience

The New York Rangers currently need a backup goaltender. If they do not choose Alexandar Georgiev, they should sign another goaltender with AHL experience.

Over the past few years, the New York Rangers have had up-and-down luck with backup goaltenders. Of course, the starting goaltender for the past 13 seasons has been Henrik Lundqvist. Barring any extreme circumstances, Lundqvist will remain the starter for the foreseeable future.

The most notable second-string goaltender in recent history for the Rangers was Cam Talbot. Beginning in the 2013-2014 season, he was a competent backup goaltender to Lundqvist. When Lundqvist got injured in February 2015, Talbot, along with Mackenzie Skapski, stepped in to hold down the fort while he recovered.

Since then, the Rangers’ two backup goaltenders have been Antti Raanta and Ondrej Pavelec. While he was here, Raanta served as a great understudy for Henrik Lundqvist. For both seasons that he spent in New York, his save percentage and goals allowed average were either better than or close to that of the starter.

As for Pavelec, he didn’t have the same luck. In one season with the Rangers, his save-percentage and goals-against average were similar to Lundqvist’s but his win percentage was drastically lower.

Since Pavelec has not yet re-signed with New York, it is assumed that he will not be returning. This presents the question; who will the New York Rangers use as their backup goaltender for this upcoming season?

Making the case for Georgiev

As the beginning of the 2018-2019 season draws nearer, it becomes more and more likely that the New York Rangers will simply use Alexandar Georgiev as their backup goaltender.

He was signed in July 2017, after playing one season with TPS Turku of Liiga in Finland. In 27 games there during the 2016-2017 season, he was 13-8-4 with a 1.70 GAA and .923 SV%.

He began last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. In 37 games there, he was 14-13-7 with a 2.98 goals against average and .909 save percentage.

Once he was called up to the NHL, he played 10 games, starting nine of them. His record was 4-4-1, his goals-against average was 3.15, and his save percentage was .918.

Though his time in the NHL was a bit rocky, he has shown a great deal of promise in the past as well as this season. Since the Rangers are most likely not shooting for a championship and are still rebuilding, he could take the next two years to develop.

That would put him at 24 years old since he is currently 22. He’s still young enough to grow and will hopefully begin to hit his stride when the rest of the team does.

Once the Rangers are ready to compete again, he will most likely be fully NHL-ready. But, if not, who else could the organization turn to?

Other possibilities

If Georgiev is not used as the New York Rangers’ backup goaltender for the 2018-2019 season, another goaltender with AHL experience should be targeted. An example who fits this mold is Kristers Gudlevskis.

While his stats aren’t perfect, he has had lots of time in the KHL, AHL, and ECHL, and even a little NHL experience. He most recently played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate, and is currently a free agent.

The only disadvantage is that he’s almost 26 years old. That isn’t quite crossing the “too old to develop” threshold, but it’s getting there.

However, the organization is most likely not looking for a long-term backup goaltender. If a player like Gudlevskis, or even if someone already involved in the organization like Marek Mazanec is re-signed, they’re probably not on the road to being a starter, or even a regular NHL backup.

Georgiev seems like the clear choice, and bringing in any other player would just be a temporary choice if he isn’t ready yet.