BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers before the game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
The New York Rangers will be replacing Alexandar Georgiev this offseason. Georgiev is a restricted free agent this offseason and it has been reported that the Rangers do not intend to extend a qualifying offer. The likely outcome is that New York trades Alexandar Georgiev’s right to another team. The Rangers will then be in need of a new backup goalie, but who could fulfill that position? Jaroslav Halak, Eric Comrie, and Scott Wedgewood are some players for them to consider.
Jaroslav Halak has been a goalie in the NHL for an impressive 16 years. The 37-year-old goalie spent the 2021 season with the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year deal worth $3 million. Halak played in 17 games for the Canucks, starting 14 of those contests. Jaroslav Halak posted a .903 save percentage in 2021 as Vancouver’s backup goalie.
Jaroslav Halak is a veteran goalie who is best remembered for a legendary 53-save playoff performance with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. Halak would provide the Blueshirts with veteran leadership and quality performance as a backup goalie. A contract to acquire Jaroslav Halak would be affordable, something necessary for the cap-strapped Rangers. In his 16-year career, Halak has recorded a .916 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average. Jaroslav Halak could be identified as a prime candidate to play backup for Igor Shesterkin in 2022.
Eric Comrie is a younger option for the Rangers to consider as Igor Shesterkin’s backup this offseason. Comrie played the 2021 season on a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets worth $750k. He played started 16 games for the Jets and played in a total of 19 games. Comrie boasted an impressive .920 save percentage this season with a 2.58 goals-against average.
Eric Comrie is entering his seventh season in the NHL. He has been a consistent presence on the waiver wire throughout his career, having four separate stints with the Jets and also spending time with Arizona, Detroit, and New Jersey. The New York Rangers could make sense as Eric Comrie’s fourth team in his career.
Also, the 6’1? netminder posted a .955 save percentage on unblocked shot attempts and a .944 expected save percentage during those same situations. That’s a difference of .011 points. The only other goaltender in the league that featured a higher differential was New York’s Igor Shesterkin (.012). – via Jets Nation
Comrie played on the league minimum salary last season and far exceeded all expectations. This offseason, Eric Comrie could be getting a salary worth around $1.5M AAV. His SV% for the season was 6th best among all NHL goaltenders, yet he played in only 19 games (64th in the NHL). Eric Comrie’s solid performance in limited playing time during the 2021 season could earn him a pay bump and even potentially a starting job this offseason. If the Rangers do pursue Eric Comrie this offseason, they will be looking to add a premium backup goalie for the 2022 season.
Scott Wedgewood is a goalie that moved all around the league during the 2021 season. He played 3 games for the New Jersey Devils, 26 games for the Arizona Coyotes, and 8 games for the Dallas Stars. Wedgewood is another veteran goalie that will enter the 2022 season at 30 years old.
Scott Wedgewood played the 2021-2022 season on a one-year, $800k contract that he signed last July with the New Jersey Devils. In his 8 games with the Dallas Stars this season, Wedgewood was solid, posting a .915 save percentage (SV%) down the stretch. Wedgewood’s career SV% is a respectable .906 with a 3.10 goals-against average. Scott Wedgewood would be an affordable option for the Rangers this offseason.
This post was published on 2022-06-18 11:26
