When the AHL announced that New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin was unavailable for it’s All-Star Game, it signaled to everyone that a trade involving Alexandar Georgiev might be near. The thought was that Shesterkin may be sent down for a game or two, thus allowing him to play in the AHL classic and therefore buying time for the Blueshirts to sort out their three goalie situation. Keeping Shesterkin indicates a trade will be coming sooner rather than later, something that may have an added sense of urgency after a disappointing loss Tuesday night to the New York Islanders.
The biggest trade partner seems to be the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, various reports seem to indicate that there is not a firm idea of who the Leafs would give up for Georgiev. Some reports have suggested that the Rangers would not give him up for a draft pick or prospect.
This led to speculation that the main target might be Kaspari Kapernan, who is a potential 20-goal-scorer with elite speed and penalty-killing abilities. However, many feel that this is too much to offer for the Rangers goaltender, who is very much needed but projected as a backup in Toronto. The most likely scenario is for Toronto to offer prospect Jeremy Bracco. The 22-year-old is currently playing in the AHL and has been reported as a player who has excellent vision and is an excellent passer. He is also a creative skater who uses his edgework to deceive defenders and create space to make plays.
A darkhorse for Georgiev’s services are the Tampa Bay Lightning, as they have struggled to find a reliable backup for Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Lightning signed Curtis McElhinney as a free-agent, but he has played all that well. Tampa Bay also has tried a myriad of netminders at their AHL affiliate in Syracuse N.Y., but that has not turned out very well. At the halfway point, no goaltender in Syracuse has a save percentage above .900 or a goals-against average below 3.00. Georgiev would fit in nicely in Tampa Bay.
Another possibility could be the Colorado Avalanche, where the sighting of New York Ranger scouts has been a regular occurrence at Avs games. The thought was it was concerning a possible Chris Kreider trade, but the Avalanche could also use a solid backup in goal as they make a playoff run.
This post was published on 2020-01-22 08:30