2019-20 Report Card: Alexandar Georgiev

Alexandar Georgiev came out of the New York Rangers’ goalie competition a winner

Today we continue our series of New York Rangers report cards.  We’ll look back at last season and provide some expectations for the coming season. 

Alexandar Georgiev : Grade  B-

When Alexandar Georgiev burst onto the NHL scene in February 2018 there were no expectations for the undrafted free agent signee.  He came up to replace an injured Ondrej Pavelec and ended up showing enough in his ten game audition to earn the back up job in 2018-19.  Kudos to the European scouting staff to see something in the young Bulgarian that no one else did.

His second year was highlighted by several stellar performances.  He made 55 saves in a nationally televised 4-1 win over Toronto at the Garden and followed that up with 44 save outings in wins over Toronto and St. Louis.  Talk about Georgiev’s season and those are the game everyone remembers.

People forget that he gave up four or more goals in 11 of 33 games including two seven goal games. In a nutshell, that is the issue with Georgiev.  When he is good, he is very, very good.  When he is bad, it can be pretty awful.

In 77 games, Georgiev has allowed six or more goals seven times.  Look at Lundqvist.  Over the last five years, in 267 games, Lundqvist has allowed six or more goals in a game only five times.   You cannot use the mediocre Rangers defense as an excuse, they both play in front of the same set of blueliners.

It’s why there was no question that Igor Shesterkin was destined to be the number one netminder.  The challenge for Georgiev is to prove that he should stick around.

His season

Alexandar Georgiev came into last season as the back up to Henrik Lundqvist and shared duties with the future Hall of Fame netminder.  However, all season, the shadow of Igor Shesterkin loomed and Georgiev was a constant source of trade speculation.

When the inevitable happened and Shesterkin was promoted, the good news for Georgiev was that he was the back up instead of Lundqvist and with Shesterkin’s propensity for injuries, he ended up playing a lot.  In playing the most games of any Ranger goalie, Georgiev showed where there are issues that could affect his future with the team.

There’s no question that Georgiev had some great games.  He posted two shutouts, beating Vegas and the Devils.  He faced 40 or more shots seven times and won five of those games.   He allowed two goals or less in 17 games.

One big issue for Georgiev is his inability to put together a winning streak.  He was able to win back-to-back games three times this season, but he always lost when getting the third straight start.

After beating Tampa and Nashville while allowing only two goals, he allowed six goals in a loss to Ottawa.  After allowing four goals in two wins over Minnesota and Columbus on the road, he lost 3-1 to Boston at the Garden.  He allowed five goals in road wins against the Islanders and Montreal, but gave up five goals in his third straight match, losing to Philadelphia.  In Shesterkin’s only game after two wins in a row, he made it three.

The trade deadline had to weary heavily on Georgiev.  Although he seems unflappable, the fact that his name was constantly coming up had to be a concern along with the fact that he was due to hit restricted free agency after the season.

All reports at the deadline was that while the Rangers made Georgiev available, no one was able to meet the Blueshirts’ asking price.  The Maple Leafs traded for Jack Clifford and Vegas picked up Robin Lehner so it wasn’t like the trade market was not active.

Did getting past the deadline help him?  He played six games with a record of 3-2-1, allowing 20 goals, pretty close to his numbers the entire season.

Those numbers tell a story. His 3.04 Goals Against Average was pedestrian at best.  His .910 save percentage was good, but not among the elite.  Georgiev faced an average of 9.29 high danger scoring chances per game, 13th most in the NHL.   His save percentage on those shots was .826, 20th best in the NHL.   Lundqvist was 14th best in the NHL at .836 and he faced the fourth most per game (9.85).

The numbers

Games Played:  34
Games Started:  32
Record: 17-14-2
Shutouts:  2
Goals Against Average:  3.04   (35th best in the NHL among goalies who played 1,800+ minutes)
Save Percentage:  .910   (22nd in the NHL among goalies who played 1,800+ minutes)

Postseason:  Although he was with the team during the Stanley Cup Qualifier, he was the back up for the first two games as David Quinn went with Henrik Lundqvist as starter.

Why the grade?

Georgiev’s grade is dangerously close to a C+.  He gets the B because of the untenable situation he was in with the three-headed goalie monster.  Due to the fact that David Quinn dressed Lundqvist as the back up whenever Shesterkin started, Georgiev spent a lot of time in the press box after the new year.  That had to stink.

It was a tough season for the young player and his ability to perform well as much as he did gets him the B grade.  His inability to keep it going longer than two games drops the grade just a bit.

Expectations

With a two year, $4.85 million deal in his pocket along with job security, it’s time for Georgiev to step up and prove that he is a 1A goalie in the NHL.  The season will be shortened and that will mean more games in less time so goalie tandems will be crucial to NHL success this season.

While Shesterkin is the lead netminder on the team and should get to start 35-40  games, Georgiev will get his chances.   If Shesterkin gets injured, he will be called on to the the number one and that is the role that he hasn’t been able to extend beyond a couple games.

With no distractions, the unflappable Georgiev is in a great position heading in to the 2020-21 season.  He has proved that he can play as well as any goalie in the league, but he needs to be more consistent.   That means a sub 3.00 goals against average and putting together some winning streaks.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Rangers’ defense, strong goaltending will be more important than ever.  Georgiev will be a key factor this season. After three years in the NHL, let’s see if he can do it. Turning 25 in February, he’s not a kid anymore.  If not, he may join Cam Talbot and Antti Raanta in the list of Ranger backups who found success elsewhere.