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Who needs Alexandar Georgiev? Possible trade destinations

By Steve Paulus

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers stretches in warm-ups prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 1, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers stretches in warm-ups prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 1, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images) /
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Possible starting jobs

First off, let’s make it clear that the Rangers are not going to trade Georgiev to a team in the Metropolitan Division.  It’s not going to happen so the only possible destinations are in the other three divisions where there are a number of jobs opening up.

Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom has established himself as one of the best goalies in the NHL this season.   In a fascinating twist we have two of the best UFA goalies in the same series as he is opposed by Robin Lehner, goalie for the Vegas Golden Knights and another UFA.    While it appears that both the Canucks and Knights will try to re-sign their goalies, there are number of teams losing top netminders who will be looking for someone new.

The Blackhawks are in dire need of goalie help with Corey Crawford a UFA and backup Malcolm Subban an arbitration eligible Restricted Free Agent  (RFA). Their prospect pool is relatively barren and they are in cap trouble.  It’s not a good situation.

Calgary is a fascinating story.  David Rittich was the starter  until he lost the job to Cam Talbot, the former Ranger goalie whose career had gone south after his trade to Edmonton. Talbot is a free agent and may  want to stay in Alberta, looking for some stability, but he may have some suitors based on his post-season performance. The Flames have high hopes for 19 year old Dustin Wolf, but he needs some seasoning.

The Ottawa Senators are in full rebuild mold and 39 year old Craig Anderson probably doesn’t fit in.  Anderson split the role first with Anders Nilsson and then with Magnus Hogberg and the question for Ottawa has to be who is their netminder of the future. Nilsson was the heir apparent, but was sidelined much of this season with concussion syndrome.

Speaking of rebuilding teams, no team needs more help than than the Detroit Red Wings.  Longtime goalie Jimmy Howard is a UFA and 32 year old Jonathan Bernier was merely average.  While they had high hopes for prospect Filip Larsson, he didn’t have a great first season as a pro this year.  Steve Yzerman and Jeff Gorton have been trading partners before, so a deal could be possible.

Returning to the Vegas Golden Knights, they are tight against the salary cap and even though they have Marc-Andre Fleury to step in, he is 37 years old and a little unhappy about losing his starting job to Lehner.  Lehner has established himself as one of the better goalies in the NHL and will be looking for a long term deal.   Jiri Patera, a 2017 draft pick is their top prospect, but he just graduated from junior hockey and isn’t ready yet.

Vancouver is a different story.  While they have already tried to re-sign Markstrom, he will be the most attractive free agent goalie on the market.  They still have top rated Thatcher Dembo waiting in the wings to replace Markstrom if they cannot keep him.

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