Avalanche Acquires Georgiev from Rangers for Draft Topic Package

Colorado Avalanche has acquired goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev from the New York Rangers for a draft topic package, the team announced Thursday.

New York will receive a selection of Colorado’s 3rd and 5th rounds in the 2022 NHL Draft and a 3rd round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. By signing the deal, Avalanche will hold only two picks in this year’s draft, making it the sixth and seventh choice.

Starting the day with just four picks in the NHL draft, the Rangers now have six options. This can further strengthen the youth movement or turn the draft capital into a player who can have a more direct impact.

Arriving in New York as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Georgiev showed a flash of meaningful promise during his time with the Rangers. This 26-year-old has set a record of 15-10-2 in the past season. This includes 8-1-0 runs that were shut out twice at the start of the last nine campaigns.

Internationally, Georgiev, who was born in Bulgaria and immigrated to Russia shortly after birth, is in conflict between the two countries. He represented Russia in particular at the 2019 IIHF World Championship and posted a 2-0-0 record. Both were shut out, helping his country win the bronze medal.

In the case of Colorado, his acquisition raises further questions about the future of incumbent starter Darcy Kaempfer. Darcy Kaempfer’s name has been associated with several other teams this offseason.

according to Sportsnet Elliott Friedman and Kaempfer are expected to enter the open market.