Alexandar Georgiev would have been conspicuous by his absence on the Rangers’ breakup day final week, however there isn’t a lot suspense to his scenario.
Georgiev, a restricted free agent-to-be, has made no secret that he desires extra enjoying time than the Rangers can provide him. Although the Blueshirts hung onto him through the season, during which he performed 33 video games with a .898 save share, the offseason provides normal supervisor Chris Drury an opportunity to seek out one other backup for Igor Shesterkin who would possibly embrace the function.
Whether or not the 2022-23 season appears to be like extra just like the 52-30 beginning break up that Shesterkin and Georgiev had this 12 months or Shesterkin takes a bigger slice of the workload is but to be seen. Shesterkin steadily joked that he was shocked at how a lot he performed, and the 72 begins he completed the season with, together with playoffs, blew away his earlier profession excessive. However he was efficient proper up till the tip.
The Rangers have been paying Georgiev $2.425 million AAV, although if they'll get away with paying his alternative much less, that will be splendid given their cap crunch elsewhere on the roster.
The marketplace for backup goaltenders is, properly, what you'll count on for that place. Simply high quality. Right here’s a have a look at among the Rangers’ choices in the event that they select to go after a free agent.
Casey DeSmith
Doubtless the perfect backup on the market this summer season, DeSmith has completed a pleasant job behind Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray for 4 years and had a .914 save share final season. He's coming off core muscle surgical procedure after an harm suffered in Recreation 1 of the playoffs towards the Rangers however, if wholesome, figures to be an agreeable possibility behind Shesterkin, and his final deal carried only a $1.25 million cap hit.
Martin Jones
Jones, 32, is basically a replacement-level goaltender at this level, with a save share that was astoundingly .896 on the nostril for 3 straight seasons earlier than rising to .900 with the Flyers final 12 months. That’s a hair higher than what Georgiev gave the Rangers, and Jones’ playoff expertise — he’s been to 2 Stanley Cup Finals and received one — may serve the Blueshirts properly in springtime.
Thomas Greiss
The previous Islander is coming off a tough season with the Crimson Wings, during which his save share dipped to a profession low .891 over 31 video games. However he’s had success in New York earlier than, and if Shesterkin is able to tackle a heavier workload, enjoying fewer video games may assist Greiss be simpler. He would presumably have to comply with a pay reduce from the $3.6 million AAV his final contract carried, nevertheless it’s onerous to see any workforce agreeing to present that to the 36-year-old.
Charlie Lindgren
There’s an apparent attraction right here: Charlie is the brother of Ryan Lindgren, and it feels a protected assumption that the 2 would like to play collectively in New York. Although he hasn’t gotten an prolonged NHL probability since 2017-18, he had a .925 save share with the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds through the common season and has received 5 of six playoff begins as properly. It stands to cause he may get an NHL shot, so why not one with the Rangers?
Jaroslav Halak
One other former Islander, Halak is 37 and performed simply 17 video games final season, so it’s onerous to see this making sense if the Rangers need their backup to start out 30 occasions once more. But when that's negotiable, Halak might be a serviceable possibility, as his save share has been a hair above .900 in every of the final two seasons.
Keith Kinkaid/Adam Huska
If the Rangers need to promote from inside, Kinkaid and Huska are their choices. Kinkaid, who additionally hits free company, was greater within the organizational depth chart this previous season, although each completed with the identical variety of begins for the Rangers — one. It could be shocking to see administration go on this path.
Different names
Kaapo Kahkonen is a restricted free agent who the Sharks will presumably attempt to maintain after bringing him in on the commerce deadline. David Rittich, an unrestricted free agent, is coming off an abysmal season in Nashville, with a .886 save share. Kevin Lankinen, Sam Montembeault and Scott Wedgewood are all unrestricted free brokers as properly, doubtlessly at low value. Ditto for Eric Comrie.
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