There’s been a lot of talk regarding the New York Rangers and struggling goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.
Starting tomorrow, the Blueshirts will begin a stretch where they play the Islanders twice, the Bruins, and Flyers before a back to back set against the Sharks and Blackhawks over the span of 11 days.
Igor Shesterkin should be starting the next four games, which means Georgiev is unlikely to see a start for awhile.
Adam Huska a better call up option
After the Rangers 5-4 win over the Sabres, MSG Analyst Steve Valiquette felt a A demotion to the Hartford Wolf Pack would be a good option for Georgiev.
Of course, there is the problem of waivers. If this was a standard demotion, Georgiev would need to clear waivers and someone would surely claim him despite his poor numbers.
The Rangers could go the conditioning stint route, similar to what they did with Libor Hajek recently. That would require Georgiev to agree to it, and can last no more than 14 consecutive days. Financially, Georgiev would still be paid his NHL salary.
If Georgiev does agree, the Rangers would likely want to recall Keith Kinkaid, who played well as a backup last season. The problem there is he would need to pass waivers as well, and since the plan could be eventually to trade Georgiev and have Kinkaid backup Shesterkin the rest of the way, it isn’t worth the risk.
That’s why Adam Huska, who is waivers exempt should be the goalie called up.
Huska, 24, has yet to make his NHL debut. The Blueshirts drafted him in the 7th round of the 2015 Draft and he’s developing nicely with the Wolf Pack.
The 6-4 netminder is a big goalie that covers his angles well. This season for the Pack he’s registered a 2-2-1 record with a solid .938 SV% and a sparking 1.81 GAA.
A conditioning stint would get Georgiev playing time
Georgiev, 25, has been on a decline from the moment Igor Shesterkin joined the team and created a three-headed goalie monster in the 2019-20 season.
Last season, he appeared in 19 games (out of 56) going 8-7-2 with a GAA of 2.71 and a .905 SV%. Not bad, but there was a stretch where he lost playing time to Keith Kinkaid as Shesterkin was out with a groin injury.
This season, in 6 appearances (out of 18) he’s struggled mightily. His GAA is a bloated 4.08 SV%, but his rapidly descending SV% of .858 is the bigger concern.
The Wolf Pack will play two games this coming weekend, and he would likely play both. There is another game on December 1st that Georgiev could also start. That would be three games before returning for the Rangers back-to-back set on December 3rd (SJ) and 4th (CHI).
Georgiev would benefit from more playing time. It can only help him find his game and work on his next contract. He is a pending RFA as season’s end.
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